The Practicalities of Walking the Camino

Again this year, for the 7th time, we are offering a Camino-preparation class through the Santa Fe College Community Education program in Gainesville FL.

The class will meet from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on three consecutive Saturdays, January 28, February 4 and 11, in Room S-317 of the Student Services Building at Sante Fen College on NW 83rd St.

The course is designed for people considering hiking the Camino. It is full of practical advice and information from the trail.   More than half of those who have taken the class in the past have subsequently walked a section, or all, of the Camino.

This class is eligible for Senior Waivers. If you are 60 or older, and there is a place in the class on the first night, you may register on the spot at no cost. If you register before the first night, the waiver is not available retroactively. Send us an email at [email protected] so we bring enough waiver forms.

Here is our tentative agenda:
Session 1 on January 28

• The Big Questions
  
  1. Where and what is the Camino?
     
  2. Why walk the Camino?
     
  3. Can you do it? Really?
     
• Planning Your Camino: Part 1
  
  1. Where you'd start and how far you'd walk each day
     
  2. How to get to where you want to start after you arrive in Europe
     
  3. Costs, training, where to sleep, what do you eat
     

Session 2 on February 4

• Planning Your Camino: Part 2
  
  1. Passports, two kinds
     
  2. Phones, cameras, Ipads, Kindles, shavers, medecines, first aid
     
  3. Backpacks, clothing, boots, walking poles, sleeping bags, towels
     
  4. Transport services for backpacks or bags
     
  5. Euros, getting cash
     
  6. Learning the language
     
  7. Show and Tell -- Gear and Backpacks
     

Session 3 on February 11

• Customizing your Camino to fit you
  
• Making reservations
  
• Guidebooks and web resources
  
• Hiring someone to do your planning or be your guide
  
• Cool places to stay, regardless of whether for you "cool" is a modest B&B, a lively grown-up version of a hostel, or even a ruin of a 5th century convent with no electricity of hot water!
  

There you have it. We are eager to meet you and talk all about the Camino.

Link to Santa Fe College Course List