E -Education: teaching kids their faith
C - Culture: putting that faith into practice to influence today's society.
Y -Youth D - Development: forging solid character to help kids' balanced development, from sports and healthy recreation to virtue formation.

What does ECYD mean? ECYD stands for Educational, Cultural, Youth Development, but can be thought of as "Encountering Christ Yourself Daily."  It is an international program designed to help young people get the most out of their Catholic faith by encouraging a daily encounter with Christ through prayer and the sacraments.

What is it's purpose? At Baptism parents speak for their child and at Confirmation that same child speaks for herself. ECYD is a bridge between the two sacraments that helps an adolescent girl learn to take ownership of her own personal spiritual growth.  Each time a girl says "yes" to Christ by fulfilling her ECYD commitments, she is building conviction, and inner strength that helps her to choose to do the right thing.

How does this differ from the Challenge Club? The Challenge Club is a Catholic girls club that promotes healthy friendships, encourages apostolic service projects and organizes fun activities.  ECYD is a personal spiritual growth program.  In ECYD girls promise Jesus to be faithful to Him by saying their prayers, obeying the Ten Commandments and living a virtuous life.  Girls draw strength from and lend support to their Challenge Club friends as they strive together to live their Catholic faith well.

When can girls join ECYD? Girls can join ECYD when they turn 11 and on the last day of a retreat, camp or convention.  Girls need to spend time reflecting on their relationship with Jesus and their Catholic faith before joining ECYD, and a retreat environment help them to fully consider their decision.  All girls are asked to discuss joining ECYD  with their parents before they "incorporate" (join) ECYD.

Is she Incorporating into the lay movement Regnum Christi (Latin for the Kingdom of Christ) or the Consecrated Life?

NO.  Young Women's Regnum Christi, Regnum Christi and the call to Consecrated Life are personal decisions that only Christ can call one to and are different than an ECYD incorporation.

What is an ECYD Coworker?

Girls ages 14-15 that are spiritually called by Christ to offer one summer of their life in service to Christ.  They are under the guidance and protection of Consecrated Women during their summer offering Challenge/ECYD Camps throughout the summer.