It’s that time of the year again – ‘Virginia Catholic Day at Busch Gardens’ (Williamsburg) is here and many of us and especially our youth and teens, are excited and looking forward to attend!
For many years, the youth of the Diocese have gathered at Busch Gardens for a day of fun and fellowship! The day includes admission to the park, Sunday Vigil Mass, and dinner as a Diocese.
The event is open to all youth, families, and young adults from around the Diocese. This year, in an effort to bring our whole diocesan community together, the Diocese is opening the event to families as well!
Families will need to purchase tickets and register for Virginia Catholic Day at Busch Gardens on their own (online) through the Diocese website.
Parents who would like their unaccompanied Youth/teens (6-12th Grades ONLY) to participate in this event MUST register (Busch Gardens Ticket Purchase + Bus Reservation) through the HNM Parish. An adult Catechist/ Parent Volunteer will be assigned to travel with unaccompanied teens and will pick up the Parish Youth Group tickets at the gate on the day of the event.
The Bus will depart from Busch Gardens at 7:00 PM sharp. Those that plan to stay at the park after 7:00 PM (for Howl-o-Scream are advised to kindly make your own transport arrangements to and from the event.
If you have a youth attending (unaccompanied by you/parent/guardian) and would like the assigned Adult Catechist/ Chaperone text you to coordinate a pick up time, please speak to the Parish Faith Formation Coordinator (Louella Sowards) prior to the event to arrange this.
This year, families from our Parish who are interested in participating are requested to purchase tickets and register for the event on your own through the Diocese Website. Click here to register online for the event through the Diocese Website. Registration to Busch Gardens is set to close September 18, 2022.
However, parents who cannot attend the event but would still like to register their unaccompanied Youth/teens (6-12th Grades ONLY) MUST purchase tickets through the Parish. An adult Catechist/ Parent Volunteer will be assigned to unaccompanied teens and will pick up the Parish Youth Group tickets at the gate on the day of the event.
While families are encouraged to register for Busch Gardens on their own this year and do not have to participate strictly as a youth group, travelling as a Parish is still encouraged and will give us an opportunity to get to know each other better and attend Mass as a Parish community.
We hope many of our families and youth will join in this Diocese event!
Tickets are not mailed to each parish or to families or individuals. Instead:
Ticket pick up will be available from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Any tickets not picked up by noon will be turned into the Busch Gardens Will Call office. We will not release tickets to individuals who registered as part of a parish group without prior authorization, in writing, from the parish coordinator.
Note: Howl-O-Scream event starts at 6:00 pm and Park closes at 11:00pm. Those intending to stay at Busch Gardens past 7:00 PM are kindly requested to make their own travel arrangements to and from the event.
Contact:
Louella D’Souza Sowards
Faith Formation Coordinator
Inviting all our current Life Teen/ Edge Catechist, those interested in volunteering as Catechists as well as those identified as potential Catechists for these grades to please join us for a planning meeting to discuss the curriculum, future events and activities for our Life Teen/ Edge Teens Faith Formation Program.
Please register now by using this form: https://forms.gle/61w7sLL8JTa6LhUD6
Event Timing: Sunday, August 14, 2022 | 10:00-10:45 AM
Event Location: Holy Name of Mary, McNally Hall
For any questions please reach out to our Faith Formation Coordinator
Contact: Louella Sowards