Sacred opportunities to step away from the noise and into places where God has moved throughout history. These journeys are not about building projects, but about building lives rooted in Christ, through Scripture, reflection, prayer, and immersive experiences in cultures and communities that have shaped the history of the Church. In these moments, students are invited to encounter Jesus, deepen their faith, and discover how their story fits into His.
June 4-13, 2026
Trip Cost $3600
Trip Elements to Consider:
Physical Exertion: High
We will be walking 8-15 miles per day, and some days will be pretty warm! Students will be asked to carry a 30L-40L backpack. Much of our pre-trip planning will include how/what to pack, and we may even do some practice hikes :)
Cultural Experience: High
The Camino is a multicultural environment that draws pilgrims from all over the world. You do not need to know any Spanish to make the walk, though it certainly cannot hurt. One of the great joys of the experience is hearing the stories of fellow pilgrims as you walk in and out of each other’s lives over the course of the journey.
Spiritual Experience: High
Walking the Camino is a spiritual formation experience, designed for students who seek to engage with God in nature, on the move, both individually and surrounded by a unique community of fellow pilgrims. You will read, you will write, you will reflect, and you will walk – all of which are important spiritual disciplines that contribute to a powerful Camino journey.
Trip Information
Since the 9th century, pilgrims from all over the world have walked across Spain to the town of Santiago de Compostela, in the northwest of the country. The cathedral in Santiago is home to what are said to be the remains of the Apostle James, who was said to have preached the Gospel throughout what is now Spain.
Prior to the trip, we will spend time studying the history of the Camino and of pilgrimage in general. We will consider why so many have sacrificed so much to walk this route over the course of the last millennium.
Walking the Camino is a profound experience that offers a unique opportunity for transformation and growth. This is a spiritual formation trip: we will walk about 80 miles through the Spanish countryside meditating, praying, talking, listening, and recognizing the power that exists in collective pilgrimage. At the end of each day of walking, we will rest, reflect, journal, and discuss the revelations that God has for us along the Camino.
Trip focus:
Spiritual Formation: how is God showing up when you are challenging yourself in some new ways? What spiritual disciplines are you being forced to hone as you simplify your life down to a pack on your back and a path before you? In what ways can you engage with Christ along the road?
Pilgrimage: why is this simple, humble act of walking such an important part of the so many individual faith journeys? How might pilgrimage serve as a metaphor for the Christian life? What is the value to us – coming from Valley Christian, coming from Silicon Valley – to living a simple, “off-the-grid” life on the road for a week?
Community: we will undoubtedly grow close as a team, and we will get the chance to meet and hear the stories of fellow pilgrims – this is one of the highlights of the experience!
Leadership Development: students who have stretched themselves, built better habits of discipline, and learned to simplify life down its most meaningful facets tend to make strong leaders.
