About AYMP Lab

The AYMP Lab experience, for teens in grade 9-12 (10 & 11 preferred) in fall 2025 (and their adult mentors), will have three main dimensions:

Regional "Missionary Creativity" Initiative

Young people will select local adult mentors. Those youth-adult teams will be accompanied by the AYMP Lab Co-Directors through an iterative design process of "missionary creativity," resulting in a regional initiative that serves local needs. (The adult mentors will be appropriately cleared/trained, and equipped by the program co-directors for this work.) 

Using the network available to OFYYAM, the young people/their mentors will be brought into relationship with other individuals in the wider community who can offer wisdom and best practices in the initiative area, as needed. Special care will be given to ensure the young people and their mentors create sustainable structures so that the regional initiative can “live” beyond the initial cycle and beyond their own direct leadership. Teams will also have the opportunity to apply for a microgrant to help bring their initiative to life.

Initiatives must respond to one or more of the four primary areas of robust formation as articulated in recent Archdiocesan guidance: Formal Catechesis | Community Building | Prayer & Liturgy | Meaningful Service

Synodal-Style Advising

Young people and AYMP Lab Co-Directors will gather monthly via Zoom. Part of the virtual gathering time will be dedicated to working as an advisory council to OFYYAM and other entities as appropriate.

Formation for Missionary Discipleship 

Young people will receive well-rounded formation for missionary discipleship via their local mentors, during the monthly virtual meeting, and on two occasions of in-person gathering:

  • a day retreat during the AYMP Lab process
  • a celebratory “sending” liturgy at the close of the AYMP Lab cycle


Expectations

AYMP Lab teen participants and adult mentors commit to fully participating in the following gathered and non-gathered activities as part of the AYMP Lab process. The 2025-2026 cycle will begin in August 2025 and will conclude in early spring 2026.

Monthly Virtual GatheringsWeekday (evening) - exact dates TBD pending per participant availability

Teen participants are expected to participate in monthly 90-minute Zoom sessions. These gatherings will include formation for missionary discipleship, skill-building related to your regional initiative, and serving in an advisory capacity to the Office of Family, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry. These sessions will be facilitated by the AYMP Lab Directors and may feature additional special guests.

In-Person RetreatSaturday (daytime) - location TBD

Youth representatives and their mentors are expected to participate in an in-person day retreat to take a deeper dive into their own spiritual journey and how it relates to the call to serve Christ and his Church.

"Working Genius" AssessmentDuring the process

All AYMP Lab youth representatives will have the opportunity to complete the Student Working Genius assessment and will receive basic training in how its insights can assist us in our work as a team, both within the AYMP Lab process and beyond.

Celebration LiturgyDay/time /location - TBD

An in-person gathering celebrating the end of the AYMP Lab process cycle and all the teams have accomplished over the preceding months. This also serves as a "Sending" gathering launching participants into the next phase of their journey.

Local Mentorship Supporting the Regional InitiativeOngoing

All AYMP Teams include 1-2 local adult mentors who will accompany and guide the young representatives in implementing the regional initiative. These mentors agree to abide by all procedures outlined for the Archdiocesan volunteer/employees, and to maintain ongoing communicate with OFYYAM and the AYMP Lab co-directors.

Network of SupportOngoing

OFYYAM commits to connecting AYMP Lab teams with individuals and groups who can share their expertise and assist in making the regional initiative as successful as possible.

Microgrant Funding OpportunitiesDeadlines vary

All AYMP Lab teams will have the opportunity to apply to receive a "microgrant" from OFYYAM to pursue your regional initiatives. There will also be opportunities to apply for additional funding from other grant organizations.

Qualifications

AYMP Lab teams consist of individuals from the various regions of the Archdiocese (though not necessarily the same parish/pastorate). Teams must include:

  • 2 to 4 teens entering grades 9-12 (10 or 11 preferred) in fall 2025
  • 1 to 2 adult mentors of their choosing, who are willing to accompany the teens through the process and assist with the regional "missionary creativity" initiative

Teen participants need not have any prior leadership experience, but must be willing to engage fully in the AYMP Lab process (and to complete Worthy of the Call training if they have not done so previously). 

Adult mentors must be VIRTUS cleared/trained, but otherwise may include any adult Catholic in the community (including but not limited to the parent of a participant, clergy, parish staff members, ministry volunteers, coaches, scout leaders, teachers, etc...).

Applicant Teams must also submit a signed letter of support from the pastor of the parish/pastorate which will serve as the "home base" for the project. Additional pastor letters from any other parishes/pastorates represented on the team strengthen the application.

Important Application Details

AYMP Lab applications will be accepted beginning Sunday, March 30th. The application period will close on Sunday, April 27th. Applicants will be informed as to the selection committee's decision via email.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Note that some elements of the applications will need to be completed in advance and attached to the team application, so please plan accordingly.

Please direct any questions to [email protected]

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

Review the AYMP Lab 2025 Information Sheet and the "About," "Expectations," and "Qualifications" sections above carefully.

Be sure you have gathered all application materials before you begin your submission:

  • A Signed Letter of Support from Host Parish/Pastorate's Pastor - template: Pastor Letter of Support - 2025-2026 AYMP Lab.docx (pastors from additional parishes/pastorates represented on the team are optional but may be submitted and will strengthen the application if provided)
  • Your Combined Team Profile - see instructions here: AYMP Lab Team Profile Instructions.pdf
  • All information about team members as requested by the online submission form (below).

IF YOUR TEAM IS SELECTED:

If your team is selected to participate in the 2025-2026 AYMP Lab cycle, parent/guardians will be asked to provide additional documentation in the form of waiver/release paperwork before a teen may participate. Adult mentors will be provided with a Mentor Agreement to complete.

Adult mentors must be fully VIRTUS cleared and trained per Archdiocese of Baltimore procedures before they may serve in the AYMP Lab process. Teens will be asked to complete Worthy of the Call volunteer training if they have not yet done so.


Application for AYMP Lab 2025-2026

PARISH/PASTORATE REPRESENTATION

TEEN TEAM MEMBERS

Teen Team Member #1 Information

Teen Team Member #2 Information

Teen Team Member #3 Information

Teen Team Member #4 Information

PROPOSED ADULT MENTORS

Adult Mentor #1 Information

Adult Mentor #2 Information

FINAL COMMENTS

Almost done. Where should we send the confirmation?

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