By KATIE PARKER
parker@du2.byu.edu
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' educational system will begin to implement structural and curriculum changes in May to its summer youth programs, the church recently announced.
'Academy for Girls and Boys World of Adventure, youth programs for boys and girls ages 12-13, will now be a part of Especially for Youth,' said Dallas Graham, EFY program coordinator.
Different weekly activities will be available for the three different age groups, Graham said.
'The 12 to 13-year-olds will do seperate boy/girl activities. The 14 to 15-year-old activities will be co-ed and done partly with the 16 to 18-year-olds,' he said.
Along with the structural changes programs and ages, the curriculum of Especially for Youth is also on a new course.
'The whole system will still have the fun and hype but will be substantially more focused and intimate with the teachings of LDS doctrine, and solidly based with the bretheren of the church,' Graham said.
The youth involved with the program will be taught the importance of personal scripture study and revelation, he said
'The new program sets aside a specific time each night for the youth to study their scriptures and commune with the spirit,' Graham said.
Vern Sommerfeldt, a BYU religion professor, instructed 450 EFY counselors on the principles involved with scripture study.
'Our job as counselors is to teach these principles to the youth so they can know how personal revelation comes through reading the words of the prophets,' said Jeni Graham, a counselor for EFY 1999.
Many times youth involved with the program take home with them relationships with the counselors and memories of games and dances, said Heather Standifird, an EFY program coordinator from Highland, Utah County.
'With this new program we are wanting the youth to remember and continue these personal spiritual moments at home,' she said.
'This way we believe the youth involved will get the most of what will truly benefit their lives,' Standifird said.
'We want them to go home having a desire to attend seminary and remain active in their Young Men and Young Women programs,' she said.
The theme for EFY 1999 comes from Joshua 1:9: 'Be strong and of a good courage: be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.'