By MANDY REDD
mandy@newsroom.byu.edu
The Church Education System has a variety of programs for LDS church members and non-members designed to teach youth, adults and families. Campus Education Week, LDS Institute of Religion and seminary, Especially for Youth and sports camps are just a few of the those that had a total enrollment of approximately 52,307 in 1998.
Of the centralized programs offered by CES, the most highly attended is Campus Education Week at BYU, said Duane E. Hiatt, director of editorial and media relations of continuing education at BYU. Around 30,000 are expected to attend this year, although in past years there have been 34,000 enrolled. These numbers make Campus Education Week the largest single program in the country, he said.
'Campus Education Week draws families to the BYU campus. It is a good opportunity for families to learn together,' Hiatt said.
CES also sponsors a special fathers and sons sports camp, to unite youth and adults. The camp gives parents a chance to support their children and children a chance to see their parents commitment, Hiatt said.
Instead of focusing on the family aspect of education, LDS seminary and institute programs serve high school and college-age students ages 18 to 30.
J. Stephen Jones, administrative assistant of worldwide CES zone administrators, said there are many parts that define the purpose of seminary and institute programs.
'The programs teach the gospel of Christ through precept and example, provide a spiritual and social climate for growth and prepare students for effective church service,' he said.
Priesthood leaders, parents and friends help students get excites about attending seminary, Jones said.
The Ogden LDS Institute of Religion, which serves mainly students attending Weber State University, invites students to participate by providing spiritual nourishment. Faculty and student committees visit prospective institute students, encouraging them to attend classes. The high school relations committee encourages students attending seminary to enroll in institute when of age, said Sharon Berger executive secretary of the Ogden Institute.
In September 1982, CES created a separate department to focus on programs to 'encourage and assist participants as they come unto Christ,' according to the CES Web Site.
CES Youth and Family Programs sponsors Especially for Youth, Especially for Parents and other programs to give youth and parents an opportunity to learn and grow spiritually, according to the Especially for Youth program guide.
Eric Bailey, 12, from Lakewood, Calif., attended Especially for Youth for the first time this year, but said he will return for more CES programs.
'The speakers have been good and I have a cool counselor. I will definitely come back.'