World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides Stateside Leader Guide | Page 24

Hosting a Stateside World Youth Day Pilgrimage
Process and Sample Formats
The following is a process for planning a target age range for WYD for the United
successful stateside World Youth Day event. States has traditionally been ages 16 to 35;
It is divided into four sections: however, for stateside celebrations, these
parameters can be more flexible. For many
(1) Setting a Vision
events, it would make sense to narrow the
(2) Logistical Elements
focus to include a primary audience and a
(3) Preparation Checklist
secondary audience. You may decide that you
(4) Sample Schedules
cannot effectively reach everyone in the age
range and must leave some out. In addition, in
The USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage,
the U.S., this age range is composed of several
Family Life and Youth is grateful to the
sub-groups (teens, collegians, young singles,
Archdioceses of Chicago and Washington
dating and engaged couples, and across
(D.C. and Maryland) and the Dioceses of
different cultural communities). For example:
Harrisburg and Wheeling-Charleston for their
assistance in developing several of these Primary Audience: Catholic young adults, in
suggested plans. particular college students, ages 18-25, who
live or work within the diocese/eparchy
SETTING A VISION
Secondary Audience: Post-collegiate-age
Before event details and logistics are set, it is
young adults, ages 25-35, who live or work
essential to develop a vision for the stateside
within the diocese/eparchy or across the state
event – that includes the people, purpose, and
goals for the program. Consider the following Audiences Not Included: Catholic youth
elements that comprise the vision: target ages 13 to 17 (e.g. no one under age 18)
audience(s); vision of success; objectives;
event summary and theme; and collaborators.
This is only an example and is not indicative
of a best practice for stateside gatherings. For
Target Audience(s) certain communities, high school youth could
Start with people before the program. Identify be the primary audience instead of young
the primary and secondary audiences on adults. Cultural factors may also play into the
which your event is focused. The official identification of target audiences. Consider
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