As Especially For Youth (EFY) celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year, what originally began as a summer camp program for youth in Provo, Utah, has grown into a movement with close to a million attendees since its inception in 1976.1
While the world has significantly changed over the past fifty years, Skyler Wilcox, senior administrator for EFY, believes the core of the program has remained relatively untouched. “When [EFY] was established in 1976, it was an idea of how do we help youth have an experience where they can come closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ,” he said. “That’s still our goal.”
Wilcox’s first interaction with EFY came when he was able to attend two sessions as a youth. He then got involved with the program again in 2014 after returning home from his mission, when he got a job as a counselor. It was during those four years he spent working there that he realized there was something incredibly special about EFY. “I fell in love with the program,” he explained. “[I] fell in love with the ability that I had to be able to go in to work for a summer but feel like I was becoming my best self.”
Upon graduating from BYU with a degree in broadcast journalism, Wilcox began teaching seminary, however, the love he had for EFY never faded and he always kept his eyes open, looking for a way back if the opportunity ever presented itself. When a position opened up at BYU Continuing Education (CE) he jumped on it. Four months after taking that position, Wilcox was moved over to EFY where he feels like he was meant to be. “I love this program. I love what it does for youth, for our staff, and for us full-time administrators,” he explained. “I don't think there's many people . . . that have as much love for EFY as I do.”
With continued growth, EFY has seen a number of changes in order to stay relevant in a changing world while maintaining its foundational goals. “The world looks very different in 1976 than it does in 2025,” he says. “So, I think a lot of the ways that our program has kind of shifted and changed is how do we take that objective and apply it to youth who are going through things that are completely different?”
Part of this process includes reexamining long-standing traditions and seeing if they’re still applicable and relevant to today’s youth. “Why do we do a dance on Tuesday and on Friday? Why do we do a variety show?” he asks. “We're trying to make it a specialized experience . . . to figure out what things help make EFY specialized and what things can we just let go by the wayside.”
Advancements in technology have also opened new possibilities. “Now we can use technology to our advantage,” Wilcox notes. “We can open the door to more individuals simply because we have that ability now.”
Arguably the biggest change to EFY came in September 2019, when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduced FSY (For the Strength of Youth), a worldwide youth program modeled after EFY. While some feared this might signal the end for EFY, Wilcox says the change brought new opportunities. “Our stance has been and always will be we are FSY’s number one supporter,” he affirms. “What FSY is doing is what EFY wanted to do for forty-five years—which was to be able to provide an experience for as many youth as possible with Church support.”
Since that announcement, EFY now focuses on smaller, more personalized experiences, including EFY Adventure camps in Southern Utah, EFY Special Edition camps at Church history sites like Nauvoo and Palmyra, and EFY Campus camps that offer sessions like “Mission Ready” or “Habits for Life.” All of these sessions aim to reach youth in more meaningful and personalized ways. “We're both just doing the exact same thing,” explained Wilcox. “But we're approaching it in a different way because youth experience it in a different way.”
Now, as EFY looks back on its rich history, it’s also able to look forward to the future with exciting new prospects culminating in an anniversary celebration this September. “[The] fifty-year anniversary is a huge turning point for us,” Wilcox said. “To connect with the past and to look forward to the future, we’re preparing to announce . . . new session types, new locations, [and] new experiences that you can have as the attendee.”
The 50th Anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 4:00–8:00 PM at the BYU Conference Center. If you’re a past counselor, participant, or someone who just wants to learn more and have fun you are invited! This is a free event, but you do need to RSVP on the EFY website. Come to enjoy delicious food, music, dancing and so much more! Special guest speakers will include Brad Wilcox, Susan Overstreet, Bruce Chang, and John Bytheway. We hope to see you there!
For more information about EFY and to get registered for the 50th Anniversary Celebration Event, visit efy.byu.edu.