By Kami Cook
kami@newsroom.byu.edu
Time changes everything, and the Church Educational System's youth and family programs are no exception.
These programs, which include Especially for Youth and Especially for Parents, have undergone a series of modifications in recent years.
The changes began in 1996 with the formation of the tri-pack, a combination of three existing programs, said J.D. Hucks, program assistant for CES Youth and Family Programs.
Especially for Youth began in 1976. However, before this program came into existence, CES was running two other youth programs - Academy for Girls and Boys' World of Adventure.
These programs were ten day camps for youth ages 12 to 18.
In 1996, these programs were combined with EFY to form the tri-pack, Hucks said.
The ages for Academy for Girls and Boys' World of Adventure were changed to include only 12- and 13-year-olds. The camps were also reduced to five-day programs to match EFY, Hucks said.
But even more serious changes were in store for Academy for Girls and Boys' World of Adventure.
1997 was the last year that either of these programs were held.
Hucks said cost was one of the reasons the programs were cancelled.
'Different programs have to be planned for the 12- and 13-year-olds. They also need more counselors because they require closer supervision. It was just more expensive,' Hucks said.
EFY still allowed the 12- and 13-year-olds into its programs during 1998, but 12-year-olds could no longer participate in 1999.
'There were too many concerns about having the younger youth at the dances,' Hucks said.
Policy this year requires EFY participants to turn 14 by Dec. 31, 2000.
'The seminaries cater towards 14 and older. We want to stay with Church Education,' Hucks said.
There have been other adjustments made to the EFY program this year.
The EFY groups are now divided by ages. Fourteen- and 15-year-olds are in different groups than 16- to 18-year-olds, James Barnes, an EFY counselor, said.
'This year there are some different classes for the two age groups, but they are combined for activities, dances and most classes,' Barnes said.
The morning sports program for EFY participants was also canceled this year.
'In past years, participants had an hour of exercise time every morning. They don't do that this year,' Abby Cheatham, an EFY counselor, said.
Some changes have been made to other CES Youth and Family Programs.
In 1998, Especially for Parents was no longer organized by one director.
'Couples were appointed as session directors for EFP. We thought parents would enjoy having a married couple in charge,' said Debbie Salmon, program administrator for CES Youth and Family Programs.
A year later, Especially for Deaf Youth experienced a similar adjustment.
A couple from the deaf community was placed in charge of a session of EFDY, Salmon said.
The changes to the programs are meant to help the effectiveness of the camps.
'The program gets better every year. The changes are always for the better,' Barnes said.