Letter from the Chair – Autumn 2026

by Rachel Ganzon, Board Chair, American Pilgrims on the Camino

Greetings, Peregrinos!

We’re in that shoulder season now, where one might expect that camino travel is slowing down. However, we still have many pilgrims who are just departing for a fall camino, in that beautiful time when the seasons change.

I share the excitement of any pilgrim’s departure, and I am reflecting on my own pilgrimage in the context of this issue’s theme, “Hidden Arrows.” In preparation for my first Camino, I felt that I did my due diligence researching all of the usual questions about logistics, packing, and training. I received great advice from my chapter pilgrims. I took a “Spanish for travelers” class to help with my lack of fluency. I felt prepared.

I was to meet my sister in Spain, so there would be some time when I would be on my own. I had traveled alone before, but not outside of North America. I’m also one of those people who wants to be prepared for any situation. I was unsure of what those situations could be and what being prepared would look like. Before leaving, I had heard, many times, “the Camino provides.” It turns out that’s true. 

When I planned my Camino, I did what others did at the time, I did not book lodging in advance. The plan was that we would head for the municipal albergue whenever we stopped for the day. This worked just fine, until it didn’t. A day came when the municipal albergue was full when we arrived. Did I mention we had a guidebook, an app, and people all around? Yes, we found lodging after walking a few more kilometers. So, maybe the plan didn’t work that day, but it was not the end of the world (not even close).

There were more hidden arrows before that camino was over. You learn that the trains and buses don’t always run when you expect or when it is convenient for you. You learn you have to pivot from what you thought you were going to do and just be flexible. On my way back to Madrid, I was on a bus and met a young man, Carmelo, from Bilbao. He was smiling and shared with me that, even though he was from Spain, he had just gone on his first Camino. Carmelo was a runner, and I suspect he probably pushed himself a little hard when he started. After just two days on the Camino, he was in unbearable pain and went to a doctor. He was told he had tendinitis, and the doctor recommended that he end his pilgrimage. Carmelo took his advice, but he had the vacation time, and he was not ready to go home. When I met him, he was pivoting to the vacation part of his trip. No worries, the Camino would still be there when he was ready to try again.

For me, the blessings I received included a lot of letting go of what was supposed to happen and a whole lot of “going with the flow.” Plans may change, and that’s OK. The anxieties attached to having everything planned out dissipate. New opportunities arise. I carry those lessons with me, and it is often part of the conversation I have with prospective pilgrims. With adversity comes strength and resourcefulness. That is the magic of the Camino.

¡Ultreia!
Rachel

Board Report – July 2026

Prepared by Joseph A. Curro, Jr., Secretary, American Pilgrims on the Camino Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of American Pilgrims on the Camino met remotely via video webconference July 11-12, 2026. Members reviewed organizational priorities, committee work, financial performance, volunteer engagement, and planning for future programs and Gatherings.

The board began with a discussion of board culture and effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of shared purpose, mutual accountability, and service to the organization as a whole. Directors also reviewed written reports from committees and working groups, reflecting substantial activity across chapters, membership, communications, grants, cultural programming, technology, hospitalero training, Ribadiso support, nominations, and Gathering planning.

Several governance and planning topics received attention. The board discussed needed updates to the policy manual and agreed that the governance committee should prioritize revisions and return with recommendations. The board also authorized exploration of a possible five-year strategic planning process, including outreach to qualified nonprofit facilitators for proposals and comparison of potential approaches.

Program and mission-related discussions included updates on external relations in Spain, cultural initiatives, grantmaking, and support for Camino-related projects. The board reviewed grant strategy questions, including sustainability, evaluation criteria, funding levels, and the potential development of a grants impact study. The board also discussed an inquiry from a filmmaker seeking access to pilgrim stories and information for a documentary project, and approved further cooperation through a research-oriented approach.

Financially, the organization was reported to be performing well year to date, with revenue ahead of budget in several areas. The board discussed credential revenue, technology and operating costs, reserves, insurance, grant sustainability, and financial policies. It also reviewed the “Building the Camino” annual giving campaign, which had launched in July to support the grants program and strengthen donor engagement.

The board considered several member- and volunteer-facing initiatives. It discussed more structured onboarding for new board members, including clearer mentoring and resource materials. It also reviewed volunteer management needs and voted to incorporate volunteer engagement and coordination into the upcoming strategic planning process.

Looking ahead, the board discussed lessons learned from the 2026 Gathering of Pilgrims and planning for the 2027 Gathering of Pilgrims in Estella, Spain. Topics included accessibility, communications, member experience, board roles, transportation, housing, registration, cultural programming, and ways to support members who may not be able to travel internationally. 

The meeting concluded with updates on technology support, insurance coverage, and the schedule for upcoming board meetings.

Your MEMBERSHIP in American Pilgrims on the Camino makes it possible for everyone to make the pilgrimage that is best for them. Thanks, as always, for your support and if you aren’t already a member, you can become one here.