PROVO — It was bigger than last year, and they kept coming and coming.

Forty-two thousand feet belonging to 22,000 people trod the Brigham Young University campus during the annual Campus Education Week — what some might see as a kind of LDS Mecca.

This annual August ritual brings students to the BYU campus from all over the world to enhance their knowledge on a variety of gospel and life-experience topics. For some, this was their first exposure to Education Week, while others are here year after year.

"This was my first experience with Education Week and I am amazed," said Laurie Partner, from Palmyra, Vir. "The outstanding class opportunities, huge spiritual growth potential, expert presenters and people from all over the country, (what) a wonderful opportunity!"

Campus Education Week is not for the faint of heart, particularly those who have to climb the several flights of stairs from the Smith Fieldhouse and the Richards P.E. Building to upper campus. That's why many choose one or two classrooms and stay with the teacher and class series throughout the entire week.

You could tell some were busy finding their way. One literally left a pair of shoes by the Tanner building on the sidewalk and a pair of mens' dress pants were found hanging from the stair railing at the Joseph F. Smith building.

Five hundred and seventy volunteers helped patrons find their way.

Patience is the name of the game when it comes to getting into some of those classrooms. Even the final classes of the day at 8:30 p.m. were having more than 50-100 people playing the waiting game as they stood in line for up to a half hour before the class just to get a seat.

Some of the classes offered at Campus Education Week, or at least their titles, peaked the curiosity of several attendees.

"I have been coming for 25 years, and there is something new every year," said Glen Sellers of West Valley City. "Picking the classes are the hardest (part). The quality of the teachers is excellent."

A sampling of the class titles include: "A Positive Look at the Latter-day Saint Concept of Hell," "Intentional Marriage," "A Sensible Sense of Humor: Humor from Leaders of the (LDS) Church," "Silencing the Negative Chatterbox Within" and "Fundamentals of Utah Water Law and Current Water Issues."

Education Week offers a variety of opportunities for adults and teens to learn more about the world around them. This year more than 1,000 teens attended the week. Their classes ranged from numerous church topics to personal improvement and dating to ballroom dance.

BYU's fudge was very popular, though not as prized as it is during Women's Conference in the spring.

Perhaps the reason less fudge is sold in August is the sweet opportunity Campus Education Week gives individuals as they seek ways to better their lives, gain rich experiences while building friendships and for only about $45.

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E-mail: pugmire@desnews.com