View source for Especially for Youth

{{Short description|Youth seminar organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}
{{redirect|EFY|EFY music|Mormon music#Especially For Youth albums}}
{{multiple issues|{{third party|date=January 2024}}{{notability|date=January 2024}}}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| image              = Efy.PNG
| imagesize          = frameless
| caption            = 
| begins             = 
| ends               = 
| date               = 
| frequency          = Weekly during summer months
| location           = 
| first              = 1976
| last               = Beginning in 2022, also facilitates FSY conferences
| participants       = 50,000+ yearly
| attendance         = 
| patron             = [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Especially For Youth''' (often abbreviated as '''EFY''') is a week-long youth-oriented [[seminar]] focused on fellowship and teaching the principles of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church). It is run by [[Brigham Young University]]'s (BYU) Division of [[BYU Division of Continuing Education|Continuing Education]] (CE) and is the largest church-oriented [[summer camp]], attracting over 50,000 attendees every year at locations around the world.<ref>{{ cite news |url= http://www.abc4.com/content/news/slc/story/Flu-symptoms-raise-concerns-at-BYU-summer-camps/JL12ej0IYkayOnFO7K9iIw.cspx |publisher= [[KTVX]] (ABC 4 News) |title= Flu symptoms raise concerns at BYU summer camps |first= Brent |last= Hunsaker |date= 11 June 2009 |access-date= 3 January 2010 }} {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="whatis">{{cite web |url= http://ce.byu.edu/yp/efy/whatIsEFY.cfm |title= What is EFY? |work= Especially for Youth |publisher= Division of Continuing Education, [[Brigham Young University]] (BYU) |access-date= 3 January 2010 }}</ref>

== Structure ==
Attendance is open to all youth aged fourteen to eighteen. Sessions, which are primarily held in the [[United States]], follow a common curriculum created by members of the LDS Church. Sessions take place during the summer months in order to coincide with the summer break practiced by many schools. The program is led by [[Latter-day Saint]] young adults who serve as counselors for the youth during the sessions. Many of the speakers are selected from the LDS Church's [[Church Educational System|Seminary and Institute]] program or from the faculty of BYU and its sister institutions in [[BYU-Idaho|Idaho]] and [[BYU-Hawaii|Hawaii]]. All sessions in the United States and Canada are organized and managed by the EFY office on the BYU campus in [[Provo, Utah|Provo]], [[Utah]], where it is part of BYU's CE, with sessions elsewhere organized by local organizing committees and area authorities.

EFY states that its mission is to help participants "come unto Christ."<ref name="whatis" />

== History of EFY ==
EFY was created by Ronald C. Hills in 1976 when 172 youth and 15 counselors met for the first session of the summer program. Then-[[Commissioner of Church Education]] [[Jeffrey R. Holland]], now of the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)|Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]], was one of the banquet speakers at the founding session. The next year, attendance rose to 863 youth. As of 2005, the total number of participants who had attended EFY over the years was 409,484.<ref>2005 Participant Journal, pp. 72 - 73 {{Clarify|date=January 2010}}</ref> John Bytheway wrote his master's thesis at BYU on the early years of EFY.<ref>{{ Cite thesis |url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/MTAF&CISOPTR=15594&REC=1 |degree= Master of Arts |title= A History of "Especially For Youth" — 1976-1986 |last= Bytheway |first= John |year= 2003 |publisher= Digital Collections, [[Harold B. Lee Library]], [[Brigham Young University]] |access-date= 3 January 2010 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110611211651/http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=%2FMTAF&CISOPTR=15594&REC=1 |archive-date= 11 June 2011 }}</ref> In 1999, Michael R. Hicks composed "The EFY Medley," which up to 2012 became one of the main songs sung at every session of EFY.<ref>{{citation |url= http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705383151/EFY-Medley-The-man-behind-its-creation.html?pg=all |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021165227/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705383151/EFY-Medley-The-man-behind-its-creation.html?pg=all |url-status= dead |archive-date= October 21, 2013 |newspaper= [[Deseret News]] |title= EFY Medley: The man behind its creation |first= Karianne |last= Salisbury |date= 4 January 2008 |access-date= 2013-01-17 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url= http://new.michaelrhicks.com/music/efy-medley/ |publisher= Michael R. Hicks |title= EFY Medley: As Sisters In Zion & We'll Bring the World His Truth |work= MichaelRHicks.com |access-date= 2013-01-17 }}</ref> As of August 2012, JD Hucks was the current program director.

=== Global expansion ===
[[File:Efy.jpg|thumb|Home Evening Games the first day of EFY México-León 2011]]
Between 2006 and 2011, the EFY program expanded to more parts of the world. In 2006, EFY expanded outside of the United States and Canada for the first time, with sessions in [[England]], [[Germany]], [[Mexico]], and [[Sweden]].<ref>2006 Participant Journal, pp. iv - v  {{Clarify|date=January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=7cecc8fe9c88d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=f5282e0f40dad010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090101173542/http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=7cecc8fe9c88d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=f5282e0f40dad010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____ |url-status= dead |archive-date= 1 January 2009 |work= News and Events (News from the Church), lds.org |title= EFY: 30 and Beyond |publisher= [[LDS Church]] |date= 4 May 2006 |access-date= 3 January 2010 }}</ref> Further expansion followed in 2009, with EFY sessions held for the first time in [[Spain]], [[Italy]], [[France]] and [[Guatemala]]. In 2010, the first EFY sessions were held in [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Portugal]], [[Cape Verde]], [[Norway]], [[Netherlands]], [[Tahiti]],<ref name="efytahiti">[http://generationmontante.over-blog.com/article-36570066.html EFY Tahiti 2010 Training Notice] (French)</ref> [[El Salvador]], and [[Honduras]]. [[Puerto Rico]] hosted an EFY session in 2011. 

=== For the Strength of Youth Conferences ===
Beginning in 2012 most international locations began holding For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences, which were organized through local [[area presidencies]], rather than through BYU.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} Then, after implementation initially being delayed from 2020 by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], in 2022, EFY started facilitating FSY conferences more broadly as a standard part of the LDS Church's youth program.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

== Locations of EFY ==
[[File:BYU EFY June 2017.jpg|thumb|right|200px|EFY participants gather to listen to speakers in June 2017 on the BYU campus]]
The traditional overnight-stay EFY programs are normally held on college campuses. BYU is the largest destination, hosting about 13,000 participants each summer.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Haas|first1=Tessa|title=The facts about EFY on BYU campus|url=http://universe.byu.edu/2016/07/05/the-facts-about-efy-on-byu-campus/|access-date=6 July 2016|date=5 July 2016}}</ref> In some limited situations EFY has been held in a hotel rather than on a university campus. The stay-at-home programs which do not involve overnight accommodations are often held at local church [[stake center]]s.

Sessions of EFY have been held in the following nations:

{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
*{{flag|Australia}}<ref name="officialsites" />
*{{flag|Canada}}<ref name="officialsites">See the [[Especially for Youth#Official Websites|Official Websites list]]</ref>
*{{flag|Cape Verde}}<ref>[http://efycv.org/ EFY Cape Verde] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126075756/http://www.efycv.org/ |date=2010-01-26 }} (Portuguese) Retrieved on January 29, 2010.</ref>
*{{flag|Denmark}}
*{{flag|Finland}}<ref>[http://www.efysuomi.org/ EFY Finland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321094819/http://www.efysuomi.org/ |date=2012-03-21 }} (Finnish) Retrieved on December 11, 2009.</ref>
*{{flag|France}}<ref>[http://www.efy-fr.org/ EFY France] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409034951/http://efy-fr.org/ |date=2009-04-09 }} (French) Retrieved on December 11, 2009.</ref>
*{{flag|Guatemala}}<ref>[http://efy-guatemala.org/ EFY Guatemala] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322214957/http://www.efy-guatemala.org/ |date=2010-03-22 }} (Spanish) Retrieved on December 11, 2009.</ref>
*{{flag|Germany}}<ref>[http://www.my-efy.org/ EFY Germany] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913022326/http://www.my-efy.org/ |date=2009-09-13 }} (German) Retrieved on December 11, 2009.</ref>
*{{flag|Italy}}<ref>[http://efy-it.org/ EFY Italy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419132203/http://www.efy-it.org/ |date=2009-04-19 }} (Italian) Retrieved on December 11, 2009.</ref>
*{{flag|Mexico}}
*{{flag|The Netherlands}}
*{{flag|New Zealand}}
*{{flag|Norway}}<ref name="officialsites" />
*{{flag|Portugal}}<ref>[http://www.efyportugal.org/ EFY Portugal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407054941/http://www.efyportugal.org/ |date=2010-04-07 }} (Portuguese) Retrieved on January 29, 2010.</ref>
*{{flag|South Korea}}<ref name="officialsites" />
*{{flag|Spain}}<ref>[http://mi-efy.es/ EFY Spain] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129034923/http://www.mi-efy.es/ |date=2010-01-29 }} (Spanish) Retrieved on April 20, 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.sud.org.es/noticias/articulo/archive/2009/august/article/efy-espana-2009-cerrado-el-plazo-de-inscripcion.html EFY Spain 2009 Registration Closing Date] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007124444/http://www.sud.org.es/noticias/articulo/archive/2009/august/article/efy-espana-2009-cerrado-el-plazo-de-inscripcion.html |date=October 7, 2009 }} Official LDS Spain Website (Spanish) Retrieved on December 11, 2009</ref>
*{{flag|Sweden}}
*{{flag|Tahiti}}<ref name="efytahiti" />
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}<ref name="officialsites" />
*{{flag|United States}}<ref name="officialsites" />
*{{flag|Argentina}}<ref name="officialsites" />
*{{flag|El Salvador}}
*{{flag|Honduras}}
*{{flag|Chile}}
{{Div col end}}

There are also a number of nations that haven't hosted an EFY session, but have been invited to participate in sessions in other nations. These nations include:

*{{flag|Ireland}}: As of 2009, officially participated within sessions held in the United Kingdom.
*{{flag|Austria}}/{{flag|Switzerland}}: Officially participate within the session held in Germany in 2010.
*{{flag|Iceland}}/{{flag|Denmark}}/{{flag| Sweden}}: Officially participate within the session held in Norway in 2010.
*{{flag|Belgium}}: (Dutch speaking) Officially participate with the session held in the Netherlands in 2010 and 2012.

EFY sessions in Latin America began in Guatemala in 2009 and are now running as FSY conferences in the Central America region, Mexico and other South American countries. FSY conferences are officially sanctioned and run by the LDS Church.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}

*{{flag|Brazil}}<ref name="officialsites" />

== EFY yearly themes ==
In 1982, EFY introduced its first annual theme. Since then, a theme and a scripture have set the tone for each EFY Session. In 2018 they have done LDS church related talks that also set the tone.
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* 1982: The Time Has Come
* 1983: Ascending Together
* 1984: Discovering New Horizons
* 1985: Let Your Light Shine
* 1986: Lovin' Life
* 1987: Sailin' Home
* 1988: Win the Race
* 1989: Forever, My Friend
* 1990: Learning For Myself
* 1991: Walk With Me
* 1992: Of One Heart
* 1993: Sharing the Light
* 1994: Serving With Strength
* 1995: Return With Honor
* 1996: Living the Legacy
* 1997: Treasure the Truth
* 1998: Joy in the Journey
* 1999: A Season for Courage
* 2000: Forward With Faith
* 2001: Remember the Promise
* 2002: We Believe
* 2003: Look and Live
* 2004: Stand in the Light
* 2005: A More Excellent Way
* 2006: The Greatest Gift
* 2007: Power In Purity
* 2008: Steady and Sure
* 2009: Be Thou An Example
* 2010: Courage to Stand Strong
* 2011: Believe. Hope. Endure.
* 2012: Arise and Shine Forth
* 2013: Firm in the Faith
* 2014: Anxiously Engaged
* 2015: Here Am I
* 2016: What Matters Most
* 2017: The Way to Become
* 2018: Choose Joy
* 2019: Trust With All Thine Heart
* 2020: Online due to Covid-19
* 2021: A Witness Of My Own
* 2022: Trust in the Lord
* 2023: My Peace I Give Unto You
* 2024: One by One
* 2025: Look Unto Christ
{{Div col end}}

== EFY schedule ==
Each day follows a schedule of devotionals, gospel study, session director morningsides, journal time, and personal scripture study. There are little if any changes between each of the nations who hold sessions of EFY, mostly in the schedule of the Overnight and Stay-at-Home program.<ref>[http://ce.byu.edu/yp/employment/faculty/pdf/Overnight%20Agenda.pdf Overnight Agenda], Especially for Youth.  Retrieved October 16, 2009  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615131552/http://ce.byu.edu/yp/employment/faculty/pdf/Overnight%20Agenda.pdf |date=June 15, 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://ce.byu.edu/yp/employment/faculty/pdf/Stay-at-Home%20Agenda.pdf Stay-at-Home Agenda], Especially for Youth.  Retrieved October 16, 2009  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221457/http://ce.byu.edu/yp/employment/faculty/pdf/Stay-at-Home%20Agenda.pdf |date=December 17, 2013 }}</ref>

Schedule changes have been made over the years. In the late 1990s the schedule involved three dances (on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and it also involved scheduled exercise time each morning. There have also been various shortened versions offered, at times involving a three-day schedule and currently there is the EFY Express which involves a one-day program. Since the EFY Express one-day programs all occur within a day they can be held during the school year.<ref>[http://ce.byu.edu/yp/oneDay/index.cfm EFY Express page]</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Overnight Program - Overview of Week'''
! Time !! Monday !! Tuesday !! Wednesday !! Thursday !! Friday !! Saturday
|-
! Morning
|
Counselor/Coordinators Preparations
|
Classes
|
Classes
|
Young Men/Young Women Activity
|
For the Strength of Youth Activity
|
Checkout
|-
! Afternoon
| 
Registration<br>
Meet Your Counselor<br>
Meet Your Company<br>
Orientation
|
Classes<br>
Variety Show Tryouts/Musical Rehearsal/Free Time
|
Classes<br>
Variety Show Tryouts/Musical Rehearsal/Free Time
|
Variety Show<br>
Musical Dress Rehearsal/Free Time
|
Service Activity<br>
Free Time
|rowspan=2 |  
|-
! Evening
|
Session Director Devotional<br>
FHE Games and Goal Setting
|
Dance Etiquette and Instruction<br>
Dance
|
Banner and Cheer Preparations<br>
Games and Cheer-Off<br>
Pizza Night
|
Testimony Tips<br>
Fireside/Musical Program<br>
Testimony Meeting
|
Picture/Address Exchange<br>
Dance<br>
Slide Show<br>
"Taking it Home"
|}

== Adventure-based sister programs ==
[[BYU–Idaho]] hosts three EFY-like programs that encompass a significant outdoors component. These programs include ''Adventure for Youth'', ''Outdoor Youth Adventures'', and ''Youth for Excellence''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.byui.edu/cc/youth/default.htm|title=Youth Programs at BYU-Idaho|publisher=[[Brigham Young University–Idaho]]|access-date=20 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906215033/http://www.byui.edu/cc/youth/default.htm|archive-date=6 September 2011}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
;Official websites by location. (Many of the following have switched over to the officially sanctioned "FSY" conferences).
*'''Americas''' [http://efy.byu.edu/ United States & Canada] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20140810054451/http://www.efy-mexico.org/ Mexico] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20120402111459/http://www.soy-ca.org/ Guatemala] {{·}} [http://efy.org.br/ Brazil] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20110110205743/http://www.countrywebsites.lds.org/ar/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=18&Itemid=143 Argentina]
*'''Europe''' [http://www.efy.org.uk/ United Kingdom & Ireland] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090409034951/http://efy-fr.org/ France] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090913022326/http://www.my-efy.org/ Germany] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20100129034923/http://www.mi-efy.es/ Spain] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090419132203/http://www.efy-it.org/ Italy] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20100407054941/http://www.efyportugal.org/ Portugal] {{·}} [http://www.efy.no/ Norway] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055550/http://www.efy-nl.org/ The Netherlands]
*'''Australia & The Pacific''' [http://lds.org.au/conventions/EFYSydney10/index.html Sydney 2010] {{·}} [http://lds.org.au/conventions/EFYPerth10/index.html Perth 2010] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20100903181836/http://conventions.lds.org.au/efyBrisbane2011/ Brisbane 2011] {{·}} [http://lds.org.au/conventions/EFYMelbourne11/index.htm Melbourne 2011] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20101001002201/http://www.sdj.pf/efy/ Tahiti]
*'''Asia & Africa''' [http://smyc.lds.or.kr/ South Korea] {{·}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20100126075756/http://www.efycv.org/ Cape Verde]
{{-}}
{{Latter-day Saints}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1976 in Christianity]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 1976]]
[[Category:Youth conferences]]
[[Category:Young people and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
[[Category:Latter Day Saint conferences]]