Let’s start with the theology: the “heart” of the TAPT weekend is about the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. The experience of Emmanuel is what TAPTsters will always remember, but recent efforts have been made to increase the catechetical content of the weekend, reinforcing Church teaching in a way that connects to teens. While every retreat provides opportunities for personal faith growth, TAPTsters often comment that their faith grew because of the sense of community fostered on the weekend. Special attention is paid to prayer experiences- Teens Are indeed Praying Together! Participants experience Eucharist, Reconciliation, and a variety of other prayer experiences. Others pray for the teens in a Blessed Sacrament chapel. Previous TAPTsters perform Christian servant leadership roles. TAPTsters are also challenged to continue the faith journey back home, so that the retreat is not lived “on an island,” but rather is designed to foster more active, participating young Catholics in parish communities throughout the Diocese.
Any high school teen who has not participated in a previous TAPT, and who wishes to explore his or her faith more deeply. Previous “TAPTsters” are contacted directly (at the address on file) and invited to apply to serve on the leadership team. (Teens may participate in TAPT only once.) Some have mentioned to me that they heard that TAPT was a “beginner’s” retreat for freshmen and sophomores. Not so! In our observation, many of the teens impacted the most over the last few years have been juniors and seniors. Diocesan Youth Council reps who have not participated are strongly urged to do so, consistent with their mission to spread the word about diocesan youth ministry to other teens in their communities.
For 2022: 7:00pm, Friday, April 1 to appr. 3:30 pm on Sunday, April 3. The TAPT weekend is a relational journey, and includes carefully-developed progressions that build on one experience after the next. To ensure that TAPTsters get the most out of the retreat, partial attendance is not allowed.
Camp Lawrence, north of Valparaiso.
Camp Lawrence is Located in Liberty Township in the central unincorporated part of Porter County, Indiana. It is easily accessible from major highways and local municipalities.
68 E 700 N
Valparaiso, IN 46383.
$90 per person, which covers lodging, meals, t-shirt, and expenses.
By visiting garyoyya.org/tapt and registering online. Registration is done online . See registration link for dates and details.
Unlike other programs, teens/parents register for TAPT as an individual, and not as part of a parish group. Therefore, they may submit forms and money directly to OYYA. Teens attend TAPT without an adult from their own parish (unless their youth leader happens to be on our retreat team). We will however contact youth leaders and ask them to process the experience with their teens afterward.
The TAPT retreat weekend is an intimate setting in which the safety of all teens is carefully monitored at all times. Each teen is assigned to a trained adult leader in a manageable small group. All adult leaders at TAPT have participated in diocesan safe environment training. Additionally, certified nurses and counselors are always on call.
We ask that you promote TAPT to your teens by promoting the retreat, assisting with bulletin/email announcements, etc. Additionally, at least one youth ministry leader of all TAPTsters will receive some post-TAPT materials, to assist you in processing the experience with the teens. If the teens do not return to your parish ready to more fully live the mission of your faith community, we have not done our job! Youth ministers are also invited to attend the TAPT closing liturgy on the last day of the retreat, as a sign of support for your teens.
Email the TAPT Retreat Board at [email protected].
The Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry can be reached at 219-769-9292 x229 or [email protected].