WHO WE ARE
American Pilgrims on the Camino is the only US-based association for people interested in the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, a network of ancient European pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer driven, organization consisting of more than 2,000 dues paying members from throughout the United States as well as several other countries.
Our Values
Our four values are rooted in our collective experiences as pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. We do our best to ensure that every decision we make and every action we take reflects these values:
- Community
- Service
- Gratitude
- Simplicity
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Registration for the next hospitalero training is now open! This late fall session will be in Sebastopol, California, Friday, November 15 to Sunday, November 17, 2019. Click over to the Hospitaleros page for complete information and the link to the registration form. If you are interested in this session, our advice is to not hesitate. Training sessions almost always fill quickly!
We are pleased to announce two new local chapters - Finger Lakes, New York and Boise, Idaho. We have not completed their presence on the website but check back and click Local Chapters in the menu bar!
Starting Monday, January 28, 2019, services at the Cathedral are suspended due to continuing renovations in the central nave. These renovations are expected to last 12 months. Follow this link to the Full List of temporary locations of the Cathedral's various services. Read the Cathedral announcement in Español or read it in English.
WHAT WE DO
Support
Supporting Camino infrastructure is one way we give back to The Way. Each year, your membership dues and generous donations allow us to award competitive grants to albergues and pilgrim associations in Spain, France and Portugal to fund projects that improve pilgrim accommodations and waymarking.
In addition, we train more than 75 volunteer hospitaleros each year who then serve our fellow pilgrims.
Gather
Bringing pilgrims together and creating community is core to our mission. Each year, we host an annual Gathering, which brings approximately 200 pilgrims together to learn about the Camino and celebrate all the Camino has provided us.
In addition, we have more than 50 local chapters gathering pilgrims at the local level for hikes, mentoring, potlucks and movie nights, all in an effort to create a bit of Camino community back home.
Inform
Providing information and encouragement to past and future pilgrims is key to ensuring they expand their knowledge of the Camino and have a positive experience along The Way. We are the only American organization that issues pilgrim credentials. On our website you can learn about Camino history, statistics and route overviews, as well as find answers to your questions in our FAQs. In “La Concha,” our quarterly member newsletter, we publish articles, book reviews, photographs and news about American Pilgrims on the Camino and the Camino itself. Finally, we invite you to join our dynamic Facebook group where the exchange of ideas and information soars every day.
The Spirit of the Camino
Live in the moment
Welcome each day – its pleasures and its challenges
Make others feel welcome
Share
Feel the spirit of those who have gone before you
Imagine those who will follow you
Appreciate those who walk with you today
Rev 09/19/19