WHAT IS CYX? The Catholic Youth Xperience is... God³, dynamic, unbelievable music, speakers, funny, serious, making new friends, connecting with old friends, Xciting, challenging, profound, fun, learning, spiritual, eating, praying, thinking, praising, hanging, dancing, parish time, Liturgy, meeting the Bishop, celebrating, thought-provoking, very Catholic, and all that and so much MORE! CYX is grounded in the goals and components of Renewing the Vision, the US Bishops’ document on Youth Ministry, and in the National Directory for Catechesis. CYX is an XPERIENCE to, with, by, and for teens! And this year CYX is WYD!

Who is invited? Incoming 9th graders through newly graduated 12th graders. Teens must be registered to a parish group. Also, any and all adults working with youth are encouraged to attend. There will be a separate formation track for them, too! The adult chaperone requirement is one adult for no more than ten teens (a 1:7 ratio is even better), and parishes are strongly encouraged to bring an adult of both sexes.

When and Where? Valparaiso University and the adjacent St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center. Check-in begins appr. 1pm July 18th and the Closing liturgy ends appr. 4pm on July 20th.  Additionally, on Saturday evening, July 19, CYX participants will be bussed to a dropoff location north of Valparaiso, where they will embark on a pilgrimage walk to Camp Lawrence to join in with our brothers and sisters gathering in Sydney, Australia with Pope Benedict XVI for World Youth Day.

Who should go? Because CYX is all about variety, there is something for every kind of teen in your parish. (God wants us all!) Your strong leaders are probably ready for the different types of prayer, talks, etc. Your “new-to-youth ministry” teens will likely get caught up in the weekend and CYX will challenge them to explore their faith at a new level. Some will leave loving the chance to meet new teens. Some will like their learning sessions. Some will like the speakers. Others, the prayer experiences. All of our youth are different, and CYX reflects that! When it comes to promotion, personal invitation works best.

What about safety? We take the safety and well-being of the participants seriously, including their physical, emotional, and spiritual health. All adult participants are required to have received diocesan-mandated VIRTUS training. Campus security and CYX Security monitor the event 24 hours a day. A hospital is located adjacent to campus. Further, priests, a nurse, and a certified counselor are always on call.

Why register as a parish/school/organization and not as individuals? CYX lights a fire for many, inspiring them to continue the Xperience in their own local communities. Parish time allows groups to process the day and reminds teens that when it’s all over, the challenge is in finding God back home! Plus, it allows adults a chance to build community with young people on somewhat neutral ground. Adult youth leaders—whether they are the “coordinator” or not—will experience formation on the weekend, so they’re getting something out of it, too!

I've already been to CYX before? Can I go again? Yes! Teens can participate in CYX for up to five years and have a different Xperience each time! Each year features new keynote presenters, musicians, etc., and each grade level features a different theme. In theory an incoming HS freshman could attend CYX before their first high school class all the way 'til his or her last CYX after he or she has worn a cap and gown!

What’s new for CYX ’08? Since you can't make it to Australia for World Youth Day 2008, we're making every effort to bring WYD to you!  Live video from Australia, international themes, a pilgrimage walk, and a Saturday night candlelight vigil at Camp Lawrence will make you feel like you're "down under" with Pope Benedict!  • Adult leaders receive training on Youth Ministry Access and leave with an entire year's worth of youth ministry activities, resources & support! • Concert & ministry from Sal Solo • MORE!