Fifty years after its first session, Brigham Young University’s Especially for Youth (EFY) program– which has reached nearly a million participants across North America– continues to strengthen testimonies and unite youth in Christ.
This year’s theme, “Rejoice Together,” comes from Doctrine and Covenants 50:22, fitting for a milestone that celebrates shared faith and growth. 
The program, which aims to “strengthen youth in their commitment to live the gospel of Jesus Christ” through learning opportunities and wholesome experiences, has humble beginnings.
EFY’s Founding
In 1976, Ronald Hills (1932-2007) and other BYU employees developed a new youth program, Especially for Youth (EFY), that would be similar to BYU’s Education Week, but for teenagers. Hills served as the Director of CES Youth and Family Programs at the time and knew that EFY had the potential to impact many young adults.
EFY would bring together youth from around the country, “rather than just with those from their own ward or stake.” It was a novel idea at the time that emphasized unity beyond geographical boundaries.
The first session, which anticipated 500 participants, was almost canceled due to low enrollment. On the last day of the enrollment deadline, an envelope with 25 registrations arrived, and there were enough youth to hold the first-ever EFY.
172 youth participated in that first session of EFY, which was held in Provo, Utah. EFY continued to grow from there, with the next two sessions in 1977 attracting 863 participants. Just four years later, 3,600 youth attended EFY.
The sessions continued to grow geographically, and EFY added another session in San Diego, California. By 1993, EFY decided to hold more than one session during a single week to accommodate the growing numbers.
In 1999, 46 EFY sessions were being run in different states and regions throughout North America, and attendees totaled over 30,000.
2025 EFY Counselors.
By 2019, more than 900,000 youth had participated in EFY over 43 years. The program had proved to be successful in strengthening young adults’ testimonies.
Building Testimonies
Today, EFY is recognized for its lasting influence on young adults, as well as its cultural and spiritual impact.
In a recent Church News podcast, Kellieann Halvorsen, who attended EFY every summer from the ages of 12 to 18, reflected on how the program helped build her testimony.
“I initially went probably to socialize and to be able to be with my friend, who was my roommate, and everything,” she said, “But it really turned from a socializing thing to a spiritual foundation in my life, and it really became my conversion point to Jesus Christ.”
Her experience reflects the feelings of many young adults who have participated in EFY over the years. EFY is often celebrated beyond the sessions themselves as youth and alumni frequently share their memories and testimonies on social media.
The program’s themes, funny dances, and music are regularly referenced in church meetings and youth activities.
Since 1984, 36 annual music albums created for EFY have been released, based on the yearly theme, inspiring and uplifting listeners year after year.
EFY’s impact extends beyond the youth it serves; it has also influenced the counselors and administrators who help run the program.
Photo from EFY Adventure session, courtesy of Seth Leavitt.
“I was at my best self when I was going every summer and serving, because I knew I needed to be, to help the youth,” said Skyler Wilcox, BYU’s senior administrator for EFY.
After his mission, Skyler applied to work as an EFY counselor. Although he felt like he was too introverted and wouldn’t fit in, he felt prompted to apply.
Skyler ended up working as a counselor for four summers and eventually met his wife through the program. “Every good thing that’s happened to me in my life, I feel like I can point back to that decision to be an EFY counselor,” he said.
Natalie Carlson, one of the EFY coordinators, shared her connection to the program. “It’s a blessed program,” she said. After serving as a counselor for two summers, Natalie now works as a summer coordinator for EFY while teaching third grade during the school year.
“I love EFY and have loved planting seeds in the youth as they build their testimonies,” she said. Natalie shared how incredible it was to see the spirit guiding the youth in the direction of Christ.
“I loved being with the youth. The most rewarding part was seeing the growth from Monday to Friday. That week is going to make it or break it for a lot of them,” she said. “Being able to guide them and point them to the Savior was amazing.”
Skyler and Natalie’s experiences reflect the dedication of many EFY leaders who have helped shape the program’s lasting legacy.
As EFY has grown in impact and influence over the years, its model of combining gospel-centered teaching with fun, meaningful experiences inspired a broader vision to reach even more youth around the world.
Photo of EFY Adventure session, courtesy of Seth Leavitt.
FSY Takes Off
Seeing the success of the EFY programs, which were based on the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Church began running a program internationally called For the Strength of Youth (FSY) in 2006.
FSY began as a pilot program in Western Europe and South America, modeled after EFY. It was held and organized locally, and free of charge to the participants. Around 2012, many international stakes were hosting FSY conferences.
These conferences were organized locally through area presidencies and were not connected to BYU or the EFY program, yet followed many of the same principles.
The FSY page states, “At FSY, you will participate in five days of devotionals, classes, and activities which will help you strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ and feel joy and belonging as you live the gospel.”
In 2019, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that FSY would expand to include young adults in the United States and Canada in 2021 and 2022. It would become a regular part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ youth programs.
Now, in 2025, FSY operates worldwide as a five-day program that gathers youth in their local communities to build a relationship with Jesus Christ.
It draws from many of the classic EFY activities, like the variety show, game night, and dances, and has the same goal to bring young adults closer to Jesus Christ. However, FSY is run by the Church– not by BYU or the original EFY program.
EFY Lives On
Though FSY now serves youth globally, EFY remains active in a more specialized format. EFY hasn’t disappeared. “The biggest message we want people to know is that EFY is still here!” said Skyler. “There’s still a place for it,” he said.
EFY continues through BYU, offering select sessions that preserve the spirit and structure of the original program. Around 2,500 young adults participated this summer.
There are 3 types of sessions now offered: EFY Special Edition, EFY Adventure, and EFY Campus.
- EFY Special Edition brings youth to special Church history sites: Kirtland, Ohio, Nauvoo, Illinois, and Palmyra, New York, to “follow in the footsteps of past prophets and pioneers” as they make connections with other young adults.
- EFY Adventure offers three Utah locations, Maple Dell, Moab, and Sunrock, encouraging youth to “reach new heights and get the adrenaline running with adventure activities in breathtaking landscapes.”
- EFY Campus has two types of sessions: habits for life, based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, and a mission-ready session to prepare youth for missionary service.
“It’s a more personal experience for the youth,” Skyler said. “The spirit of EFY is still the same, but they get to participate in different kinds of activities, visiting beautiful locations and experiencing things that are different from FSY.”
EFY’s future looks bright, as they define their programs and look forward to the next 50 years. “The exciting thing about EFY is that we can do things differently and grow with the times,” Natalie said. “I hope that in the next ten years, there are lots of new ideas and programs.”
That spirit of growth and celebration is captured in this year’s special 50th anniversary theme song, “Rejoice Together,” which brought artists from past EFY albums, some dating back to 1989, back into the studio to sing together.
With each session, the EFY legacy continues to grow. This program offers unique opportunities to connect with others and God in powerful ways– a hallmark of the EFY brand.
Seth Leavitt, a current EFY counselor, said, “It was incredible to spend time in Moab, to go hiking and have these adventures, and then have a testimony meeting surrounded by God’s creations.”
Seth added that even young adults who were initially reluctant to attend were making friends and feeling more confident by the end of the session.
On its 50th anniversary, EFY continues to provide meaningful connections and a safe space where young adults can feel the Savior’s love. And leaders are embracing the program’s future with a spirit of innovation and growth.
Photo of EFY Adventure session, courtesy of Seth Leavitt.
The Next 50 Years
“The EFY program is alive and well. We’re ready to expand. We’re ready to thrive,” Skyler said. Over the decades, EFY has successfully grown to meet the ever-evolving needs of young adults, combining tradition with fresh ideas.
From its early days as a small program to its current specialized sessions, the program has remained focused on fostering spiritual growth, community, and personal development.
This mission has helped EFY stay relevant and impactful, even as the landscape of the Church’s youth programs evolves.
“It’s a huge accomplishment. Not a lot of youth programs can say that they made it to 50 years,” Skyler said. Looking back on its history, EFY’s unique blend of tradition and innovation has helped nearly a million young adults grow closer to Christ.
And there is still more to come, as the program hopes to offer more sessions in different locations. “I’d love to be a counselor next year,” Seth said. “EFY is amazing, and I’m excited to see them grow into new areas and locations.”
Now, as EFY enters its next chapter, its organizers are exploring new ways to engage young adults while honoring the program’s rich legacy. Skyler shared, “There’s also not a lot of programs that, on a 50th anniversary, say, let’s take this program, let’s turn it up on its head. Let’s just start shaking and let’s see what fits and what sticks.”
With a strong foundation and bold vision, EFY will continue to inspire and uplift younger generations to come.
A special EFY 50th Anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in the BYU Conference Center. More information can be found at the EFY website.
Dorothy MillerAugust 14, 2025
I am so glad that you published this article. I was under the impression that FSY replaced EFY. Get the word out, including that the programs have important differences!