Retreat for Girls is based on a program held at BYU for many years called Academy for Girls.  Academy for Girls was an amazing program that touched the lives of countless young women for over 30 years.  For many years, the Continuing Education Office at BYU sponsored many different programs which included: Academy for Girls, Especially for Youth (EFY), Be the Best You, Boys World of Adventure, and others. 

Changes began to be made to some of these programs starting in 1996.  Academy for Girls was shortened from a 10 day program to a 5 day program and the age limit was also changed from 12-18 to 12-14.  In 1998 the Academy for Girls program ended and a new program, Especially for Youth for Girls, in conjunction with Especially for Youth (EFY), was implemented.  Especially for Youth for Girls lasted just a short time before it was also discontinued.  When Academy for Girls was discontinued there became a void for those who had a desire to participate in youth programs but were too young to yet attend EFY.

Knowing the impact that Academy for Girls had had on their young lives, three good friends that had been a part of the Academy for Girls program, first as participants and then later serving together as counselors, decided to try to fill this void.  All three were serving as leaders in the Young Women's program in Arizona, Idaho, and California.  Their experiences lead them to recognize the need for something once again and a vision for Retreat for Girls was born in 2003.  After two years of planning, the first session of Retreat for Girls was held during the summer of 2005 at Utah State University.

Now in its 6th year, Retreat for Girls continues to grow and has started traditions of its own for girls from all across the United States and from countries around the world.  We are excited to now have a partnership with Deseret Book that will help us to make the program even more available.