Parents, all of your questions can be answered here!
General Information
Why send your child to Light the World?
Light the World! provides a unique experience for your child to explore the connection of faith and culture and apply it to vocational discernment. Your teenager will have the unique experience of living on a University campus while growing in relationship with peers in small groups, bus rides, dorm rooms, and mentors in their undergraduate counselors.
What will they learn?
They will utilize close reading of theological text, listen to interactive lectures, and discuss deep intellectual ideals in a way that begins to prepare them for academics in college. Most importantly though, your son/ daughter will come into contact with their faith in a way that expands their understanding of who Christ is.
View a sample schedule here.
What will they gain?
Their spirituality is shown to have joyful ramifications on their college decisions, their friendships, their self-image, and their future career. We firmly believe that the Domestic Church is of primary importance and our hope with Light the World! is to help equip your child for dialogue of who they are in light of who God is and how He loves them.
What have other parents said about the program?
"This was an amazing experience for our son and I think it helped him to see the importance of faith in everyday living. I think he really enjoyed getting to know different students from all over the country and seeing how they live their faith. He gained independence and a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith."
- Summer, Parent of a 2022 Participant
"Our daughter grew in her faith this week! She recommitted herself to discerning God's unique plan for her, and had opportunities to learn how to recognize His plan. She also made great friends who will help her to stay true to herself, the Church, and God's plan."
How can you participate?
We welcome parents and families to the opening and closing Masses and the closing brunch to help facilitate conversation of Light the World! and how your son/ daughter plans to use their lives to provide that light to their home, their school, their parish, and indeed, the world.
Safety and Supervision
About the Staff
Your Child will be under the care and guidance of the Light the World! leadership team, which includes the Director, Faculty Supervisor, Program Assistant, and the 12 CUA students who serve the program as both support staff and counselors. We want you to know that your child is in good hands.
Summer Institute Safety Measures
The Catholic University of America is located in the great metropolitan city of Washington, D.C. Below are just a few of the features of Light the World! and the CUA summer community life in which you may be interested:
Single Sex Dorming: Light the World! residence halls are single-sex: men are never allowed in the women’s hall, and vice versa. Their programed key card alone will provide access to their residence hall and to their hallway which is separated by gender.
Supervision: A hall staff employed by the Office of Conference and Pryzbyla Management supervises their residence hall. Light the World! Counselors live in the dorms with participants and serve as resident counselors.
Staff Training: All Light the World! staff members complete the United Educators “Protecting Children from Sexual Misconduct” Training, in addition to passing Criminal Background checks.
Cell Phone Policy: We ask that your child have a charged cell phone on them at all times for easy contact. The Program Coordinator’s cell phone number will be distributed to both parents and participants at the start of the week to ensure contact while off campus.
Public Safety at CUA: The CUA Department of Public Safety serves the campus community 24 hours a day. For more information on the safety policies of the University click here.