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Catholic Pilgrimages for Youth and Young Adults

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008
Trailblazers Pilgrimage for 2008 (July 7 or 11 - 21, 2008)

Click on images below for full-size pdf of our brochure & registration form
You can print it at home and mail it in to us, if you like

Registration and Payments:
1. On-Line Registration form and secure PayPal payment: Click Here
2. Please send an e-mail to our secretary (see bottom of page) for paper registration form by mail.

Who can go?

Ages 16-30, exceptions dealt with on an individual basis
Youth who are under 16 on the day of the departure are MOST WELCOME generally required to come with one of their parents. As we will be in a foreign country, this is in the interest of the youth himself or herself.
Older than 30 are welcome; be aware that the trip will require much walking, and our accomodations will be probably floor space of a school gym or parish social hall, as the Australian WYD 2008 organizes detrmine.
The ages are chosen from the general guidelines of World Youth Day

Why Go?

MEET THE POPE!
Meet young people from ALL AROUND THE WORLD who share the same faith and values as you do
Share your faith, gifts and friendship with youth from close and abroad
Participation and hospitality of Australian youth and Catholic parishes on site
Enjoy cultural exchange of spending some serious time Down Under
Grow in faith, hope and love, and in understanding your vocation and mission in life
The experience of the organizers guarantees an outstanding experience of faith, charity, culture and so much more
Trailblazers has a growing tradition of outstanding youth pilgrimages, including yearly pilgrimages, be they WYD or other trips

What to expect?

Our hosts will be the Australians... we'll test how good your English is...
Daily prayers, including the Catholic Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, theological discussions and more
A three-day retreat before the pilgrimage, date to be determined. Locaion: St. Joseph Catholic Church, Detroit. It is a Friday evening until Sunday noon. Nocturnal adoration, and separation of young men and young ladies in sleeping quarters. A $15 fee will be required (subject to change) to provide for meals and services during the pilgrimage. This retreat is mandatory, as prayeful preparation is the only way to make this pilgrimage bear fruit in the souls of those who participate.
Layout of the week, calendar and schedule:

IF YOU DO THE YOUTH FESTIVAL PLAN (July 11-21)

July 11, Depart for Sydney
July 13, Arrive in Sydney (remember, we cross the international date line)
July 14: Trailblazers retreat
July 15-19: Take part in the International Youth Festival
July 20: World Youth Day Mass with the Pope!
July 21: Return to the USA

IF YOU DO THE DAYS OF ENCOUNTER PLAN (July 7-21)

July 7, Depart for Melbourne
July 9, Arrive in Melbourne (remember, we cross the international date line)
July 10-13, Participate in the "Days of Encounter" in the diocese of Melbourne
July 13: Depart Melbourne on Sunday to arrive in Sydney
July 14: Trailblazers retreat with the "Youth Festival Plan" Traiblazers all together
July 15-19: Take part in the International Youth Festival
July 20: World Youth Day Mass with the Pope!
July 21: Return to the USA

July 22: rest peacefully back at home!

How much does it cost?

Both plans require a non-refundable $300 deposit. This holds and guarantees your place. Seats on planes will be limited for travel to World Youth Day, so if you really want to go, postponing implies risk. See "policies" below for details on refunds and late payment fees.
YOUTH FESTIVAL PLAN (Total: $2,419)

Non-refundable deposit, $300
December 17, 2006, $300
Sunday, December 17, 2006 $300
Thursday, March 8, 2007 $300
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 $380
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 $380
Sunday, October 21, 2007 $380
Thursday, January 17, 2008 $379

DAYS OF ENCOUNTER PLAN (Total: $2,599)

Non-Refundable Deposit $300
Sunday, December 17, 2006 $300
Thursday, March 8, 2007 $400
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 $400
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 $400
Sunday, October 21, 2007 $400
Thursday, January 17, 2008 $399

The cost of sleeping bag, hiking backpack and tent. ...clever pilgrims know how to borrow from friends... :-)
See section below, "How do I raise money...?"

What do I need to bring?

BFor starters:

Bring backpack, sleeping bag and tent
Bring some spending money, at your own discretion:
extra munchies
souveniers
emergency money (always prudent when traveling)
each pilgrim will need to buy his/her own food during travel on the plane and in the airports, so bring money at least for that

There is a section below on packing (currently under construction)

How do I sign up?

Click here to see the registration form, or write us a letter, send an e-mail, or call us (see contact info at bottom), and we will send you a paper form right away by mail at no cost to you.
If you can't open it, you can simply mail us:

1. A letter with

your full name
your mailing address
your e-mail
your phone number
whether you are American, and if not, what citizenship you have
whether you are 18 or under as of July 9, 2007 (and if you are, your parent needs to sign the letter and date it as well)
your t-shirt size (S-XXL)

2. A photocopy of your passport. IF you do not have a passport, apply for one IMMEDIATELY (the local post office will have all you need to do so). It is urgent to apply as soon as possible, as passports can take a long time to process.
3. A $150 non-refundable deposit in check or money order. You will be expected to pay the remaining $400 by May 28, 2007.
That's it! If you can do this, you too will be a Trailblazer!

Sign up for our newsletter, to keep abreast of news, information and important announcements... plus, learn from earlier pilgrims about previous trips!

How should I pack?

(Page under construction)

What is our itinerary and schedule?

(Page under construction)

How can I raise money to go?

Please visit our developing page on Fund Raising, where you will find the who, what, when, where and how of fund raising projects. Be diligent, you CAN raise the funds, all you need is to want to!
If you want to meet with other Trailblazers pilgrims to work together, contact our secretary (see contact info at bottom of page), and she will be glad to help you.

Trailblazers Policies

Notes:

1. Payments can be sent in any time before the due date.
2. Affordable Travel insurance is not offered by Trailblazers, but may be purchased for individuals from our travel agent upon request. Contact us for details.
3. VISA required in Australia for Americans. This fee is included in Trailblazers’ charge, and will be acquired by our travel agent for each pilgrim.
4. For the obtaining of the visa, we ask each pilgrim to submit a photocopy of their passport with registration. If you don’t have a passport, don’t delay registering and apply for a passport right away.

Late Registrations

1. Trailblazers will do all in our power to enable late comers to participate in WYD 2008 with us!
2. For registration after 12/17/06, call Trailblazers to determine whether there are places available; we hope there will be!
3. Total price may change, depending on airfare; late registration fees apply (see next section below).
4. Payments on schedule (as per payment schedule) must be met.
5. The sum of the remaining payments must be paid:

- 90 days before departure, that is, on or before April 8 or 12, 2008, or late fee will apply.
- Said sum includes 1.) total of missed previous payments, plus 2.)
difference in price change, plus 3.) late registration fee (see below).

6. Those who register after 12/17/2006 must pay a late registration fee:

a. From December 18, 2006 until April 15, 2007, the late registration fee is $25.
b. From April 16 until September 15, 2007, the late registration fee is $50.
c. From September 16, 2007 to January 25, 2008, the late registration fee is $75.
d. After January 26, the late registration fee is $100.

Late Fees

1. Each pilgrim will be charged $20 for each payment delinquent by 10 days or more.
2. After three consecutive late payments, Trailblazers will contact the pilgrim to inquire regarding their decision to participate.

Cancellation Policy

1. If you wish to cancel, after registering, of course you may. You will have two options:

a. Cancel.
b. Find a replacement before January 15, 2008. This is not an option for late registrees who register on or after this date.

2. Cancellations will be handled in the following manner:

a. All cancellations must be received in writing.
b. From time of registration until May 25, 2007, forfeit $300 deposit, remainder returned to former pilgrim.
c. From May 26, 2007 to January 25, 2008, forfeit $900, remainder returned to former pilgrim.

3. Replacements

a. Name on ticket(s) can be changed up to January 15, 2008.
b. From time of registration until May 25, 2007, $50 Name change fee.
c. From May 26, 2007 to January 15, 2008, $300 name change fee.

Trailblazers would prefer to return every portion possible to the pilgrim. But Trailblazers uses the pilgrims’ payments to pay vendors on their own payment schedules. We deeply regret any inconvenience the lack of a 100% reimbursement may cause. Therefore, deliberate prudently before registering for World Youth Day 2008 in Australia.

PLEASE NOTE: Return to this page frequently to see whether any information has been updated.

Photo: http://www.pbase.com/attack_pug/image/51999701/original

Virginia: editor of The Compass - compasseditor@trailblazerswyd.org
Amy : Trailblazers Secretary- secretary@trailblazerswyd.org
(248) 722-5808 * www.trailblazerswyd.org
Mailing Address: Trailblazers, WYD, Inc., c/o Bovitz, CPA, C.P., P.O. Box 445 , Trenton, MI 48183