In recent years, the Camino de Santiago has acquired an important educational dimension, becoming a vast space for learning. It is a formative, vital, and experiential itinerary whose teachings are of great value to students, helping them grow both in their personal and spiritual dimensions across all its different routes. To what extent are school trips to the Camino de Santiago among the most recommended?
In the following post, we will detail the reasons why the Camino de Santiago is one of the destinations that your students will surely never forget.
Valuing Effort and Sacrifice
Each student will approach the Camino in a different way, walking at a pace that is comfortable for them. Often, it is difficult to maintain a constant pace, and unforeseen issues may arise (blisters, chafing, tendinitis, excessive heat, cold, rain, etc.). In this context, the famous saying ‘The Camino makes us all equal‘ takes on its full meaning, especially when traveling through the landscapes of the Portuguese Way of St. James. We all get tired, sweat, our feet hurt, or we get blisters. Personal effort makes us all equal. And this is extremely important, especially at ages where they tend to compare themselves with others.
Improving Confidence and Self-Esteem
Building confidence in themselves and their efforts is another great learning experience from the Camino, and it is what will help them move forward. Along the Way, they will feel like giving up many times. If this happens, they simply need to look back and become aware of how much they have progressed step by step. The important thing is not the destination, but the journey itself, and everything they have covered is already a great achievement. This positive attitude of confidence can be extrapolated to many other aspects of their daily life.
Learning to Live with Less
Realizing how little is needed to live and how we complicate our existence in everyday life with often absurd needs is one of the most useful lessons the Camino de Santiago can offer students.
We live in a world of comfort and abundance of everything. Having a plate of food on the table or a comfortable bed, to give some examples, are ‘privileges’ that many of our young people do not consider as such, as they are given to them without effort. On the Camino de Santiago, effort and sacrifice are essential to complete the stage and access these ‘privileges.’ Personal effort to achieve them helps to give them meaning.
In addition to this, the Camino de Santiago is a window to foster attitudes of rejection of the mass consumerism that invades them. Throughout the pilgrimage, they will realize that the lighter they travel, the easier it will be to face the daily kilometers. Understanding that four garments, some toiletries, and a water bottle are more than enough to enjoy an incredible experience.
Coexistence and Social Relationships, One of the Values to Enhance in School Trips
For many students, the Camino de Santiago may be their first major experience of living together with their classmates outside the educational center. Students will learn to respect basic rules of coexistence, have the opportunity to establish much closer bonds with each other, interacting with other groups and discovering new friendships.
One of the things about the Camino de Santiago is that socialization becomes extremely easy. The simple act of walking for so many hours a day makes us much more receptive to dialogue. And this is very important, especially for teaching, as it allows teachers to get to know their students in a much closer and more informal way.
Rejecting Competitiveness and Valuing Companionship
The Camino de Santiago teaches that competitiveness or competition ends up being costly. Running today and winning – whatever it is believed one wins – will probably be paid for tomorrow with some injury. Although the truth is that, on such trips, these behaviors are always the least among schoolchildren. The solidarity experienced on the way among the young people is truly moving. From the student who offers to carry a classmate’s backpack, the group that waits and accompanies an injured student, to those who encourage and congratulate the last one to arrive, embracing them in a warm hug.
Recommendations for Your Students to Enjoy the Camino on Their School Trips
As we have seen, school trips are a unique opportunity to reinforce your students’ confidence, helping to strengthen them psychologically and socially as future adults. Therefore, keep in mind the following advice and recommendations:
Prior Preparation
Preparation is key to fully enjoying the Camino. This includes not only physical preparation with walks and exercises but also mental and emotional preparation. Students should be informed about the history and meaning of the Camino, as well as the different stages and what to expect in each of them. Organizing informational and motivational sessions before the trip can help build a team spirit and set realistic expectations.
Being Well-Equipped at All Times
Being well-equipped is essential for a positive experience on the Camino. This means wearing appropriate clothing for different weather conditions, comfortable footwear suitable for long walks, a backpack with essentials without overloading, and a first aid kit. It’s also important to remember items like sun protection, hats, and enough water. Teaching students the importance of good equipment will help them face the challenges of the Camino with greater safety and comfort.
Enjoy, Enjoy, and Enjoy
Finally, the most important thing is to enjoy the Camino. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with nature, with history, and most importantly, with each other. Encourage students to immerse themselves in the experience, to interact with other pilgrims, to appreciate the landscapes, and to reflect on their own personal and spiritual experience on the Camino. This can make it an unforgettable experience. Reminding them that each step is a learning experience and that the real treasure of the Camino de Santiago is the experience itself will be the best advice they can take with them.
In conclusion, all these values, and surely many others that we have not mentioned, are part of the experiences and learnings that can be gained from knowing all the information about the Camino de Santiago. This is why more and more Secondary Education Institutes decide to include this pilgrimage as part of their school trips for students.
Do you want to organize an organized trip of the Camino de Santiago with your students? At Viajes Camino de Santiago, we want to help you. Contact us and receive more information about our travel packages.
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