The EFY Experience: Taking it Home

by April E. Osborn, LDS Living Magazine, Jan/Feb Issue

Every summer, college campuses across the nation are flooded with LDS youth from all walks of life. They come together to laugh and play, to sing and dance, to share stories, games, and friendships. But above all, they come to learn, grow, and strengthen their testimonies.

Now more than ever, LDS teens face enormous pressure to fit in with a crowd that doesn’t understand them. Not only are destructive behaviors more prevalent, and accepted, than ever before, kids today also have a million things competing for their attention. They are constantly bombarded with information—texting, instant messaging, television, and video games, not to mention homework and social time, all of which make it almost impossible for a kid to focus on what really matters. Never before has a generation had so much pushing against them. For this reason, it is essential that parents give their youth opportunities to flex their spiritual muscles and gain new perspectives. The Especially for Youth program was created for this very purpose.

EFY began as the inspiration of Ron Hills. He wanted to provide a way for LDS youth from around the country to meet together and have both spiritual and social experiences. In 1976, one hundred and seventy-two youth participated in the first-ever EFY session. Since that time, hundreds of thousands have experienced the blessings of the program, which is sponsored through Brigham Young University.

EFY has proven to be a great place for youth ages fourteen to eighteen to escape from life’s daily pressures and meet others who share their values. They’re able to strengthen each other and learn about who they really are. Maurie, who worked as an EFY counselor, says, “The kids see each other and see that it’s possible to live the gospel principles, even in the world. It strengthens them.”

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