Ritchie Norton, CITO Correspondent | University Advancement | 8 June 2007
A week-long Especially For Youth (EFY) program will be held at BYU-Hawaii June 25-29. EFY is a unique opportunity for youth ages 14-18 to grow spiritually, develop lasting friendships, and gain a better understanding of their individual worth in a caring, trusting, and accepting environment. BYU-Hawaii has hosted the Best of EFY, a one-day program in February, for many years. However, there is a need for the full week-long program to be held in Hawaii.
Sherrie Bangerter, Hawaii EFY administrator explains, “Three years ago, Pres. Shumway contacted BYU-Hawaii’s Center for Instructional Technology and Outreach (CITO) after receiving a letter from a mother expressing her heartfelt plea for BYU-Hawaii to offer a youth program similar to those offered at BYU Provo and Idaho, such as EFY. Her request was not the first.
In an effort to meet the many requests received to provide an EFY experience for Hawaii youth – without the airfare expense to the mainland – CITO began the process and received CES approval to host a week-long Especially for Youth program.”
The Hawaii Area program is unique because it offers youth the choice of staying at home or in campus housing, making the program as affordable as possible. It operates under the direction of CES Youth and Family Programs and provides the very same agenda and structure as EFY’s in Provo. Last year 50,000 youth from all over the world took part as Especially for Youth celebrated its 30th year.
This is the second year a week-long EFY will be held in Hawaii. This year’s EFY theme is "Power in Purity" and the theme scripture is “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45).
Greg Tanner, Director of Youth and Family Programs and Scott Bradshaw, EFY Hawaii Session Director, traveled to Maui, Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu doing firesides for youth and parents to help them understand this CES program and why it is important.
Tanner states, “During the latter part of May, we spent a week traveling to various islands, meeting with youth, parents, and leaders. We met some of the great youth of the islands. Our desire is to work closely together to reinforce what is being taught at home and in Church gatherings.
Elder Henry B. Eyring said: “There has been a war between light and darkness, between good and evil, since before the world was created. The battle still rages, and the casualties seem to be increasing. . . . With so little time and so few opportunities, what words of doctrine from [us] will fortify them against the attacks on their faith which are sure to come? The words [we] speak today may be the ones they remember. And today will soon be gone.”’
Tanner continued, “In support of other Church programs, we bring the week-long Especially for Youth Program to Laie, Hawaii. The objective of this program is to assist youth in their desires to draw closer to the Savior. We mix a variety of activities, including gospel workshops, dances, a service activity, devotionals, morningsides, and much more.
Some of the activities may be used to pass off requirements for the fulfilling "Our Duty to God" and "Personal Progress" programs. As we spend a week together, we hope to send the youth home with stronger testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ so they may be a greater influence for righteousness in their homes, classes and quorums, wards/branches, schools, and community.”
When asked about why youth should attend EFY, Bradshaw commented, “Especially For Youth is a wonderful week-long program that helps them ‘come unto Christ’ and encourages them to either gain or strengthen their testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Like a sports or music camp, Especially For Youth will help youth grow spiritually as they participate in good, wholesome activities with other youth their same age from all over Hawaii and other parts of the world."
EFY registrations will be held on Saturday June 9 & 16 at Laie, McDonald’s from 12PM-2PM and online at http://ce.byu.edu/yp/area_programs/byuh_policies.cfm
Registration and Office Hours
Center for Instructional Technology & Outreach
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
55-220 Kulanui Street
Laie, Hawaii 96762-1294
Phone: 808-293-3780
Toll-Free: 1-800-217-0656
