Parents,

I am very excited to be offering events this summer wherein ICY can gather together in person. Not only are the youth tired of virtual communication, relationships and community develop much better in person. ICY hopes to offer a summer of solid formation and fun while keeping everyone safe.

That being said, I will do my best to outline all the guidelines for our in-person interactions; if you see where I have missed something, kindly reach out to me and I'll consider what may need to be changed. Additionally, I will note that even if we are practicing every safe guideline possible, it is still a risk for anyone to go into public places-it is literally impossible for me to account for every opportunity your youth could be exposed to the virus.

Guidelines:

-"ICY in the Church" events: This will consist of a talk and/or adoration in the Church. We will practice the same guidelines in place for mass. That means each teen, or household, will sit at a designated numbered seat. The numbered seats ensure that we remain 6ft apart. There is hand sanitizer in the lobby before entering the church; everyone will have an opportunity to sanitize before entering the church and after leaving the church. Gloves will also be provided.

-"Small Group" events: These will be held in the Cathedral basement. I will have chairs already in place, 6ft apart from each other. If any content materials are distributed, there will be a paper copy for each individual to keep as theirs for the whole night and to take with them as they leave. If your youth wants to join in a small group, but does not want to go in public, we can most likely workout having them join through Zoom. There will also be hand sanitizer available for sanitizing hands before and after the event. Gloves will also be provided. We have pre-packaged snacks like individual chip bags and fruit snacks that only one adult will distribute, while wearing gloves, to any youth that wants a snack.

-"Picnic in the Park" event: Each participant will bring their own chair or blanket to sit on. We will all sit 6ft apart. I will provide Chick-fil-a sandwiches that are already packaged and will be distributed by an adult with gloves and a mask on. There will be yard games provided such as Spikeball, Hillbilly Golf, frisbees, a volleyball, etc. for those who are willing to play. Hand sanitizer will be available.

-"Scavenger Hunt" event: This one will be a little tricky... This will require parent volunteers to drive if youth are not drivers. If you want to participate as a household, you can do that, if you're open to pairing up with others from another household, you can do that as well. I will most likely send out a survey closer to the event to have you RSVP and then determine teams depending on everyone's comfort level. This is a scavenger hunt throughout Tyler. You will need to take pictures showing you accomplished each task. We will begin at the Cathedral and whatever team returns first, is the winner and will receive a prize. I realize this is an event that has you out and about in public, but I will provide tasks that are low-risk. At a later event, we will watch a photo reel of all the teams scavenger hunt experience.  

-"Outdoor Games" event: This will be held in the grassy area outside of Sts. Peter and Paul. We will have opportunities for yard games, group sports like dodge ball, and people are welcome to come sit and watch as well. I will have pizza provided and plated by an adult with gloves and a mask on. Hand sanitizer will be available.
 
Please, do not attend any ICY events if you are sick, even mildly sick.

At a minimum, we need to do our best to remain 6ft apart at each gathering. You are encouraged to wear a mask if you have one. Please, use hand sanitizer at each event.

For other guidelines given by the Diocese, please, visit this link:
https://dioceseoftyler.org/en/news/diocesan-news/resuming-liturgies-wile-facing-covid-19