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Camino Planning Workshops for First-Time Pilgrims

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Are you planning your first Camino de Santiago and feeling more than a little nervous?

Perhaps you’ve watched a few YouTube videos, joined a Facebook group (or five), bought a guidebook, and spent far too many evenings reading blog posts. And somehow, you now have more questions than when you started:

When I was planning my first Camino, I nearly quit several times before I’d even left home. I was overweight, recovering from cancer treatment, carrying far too much self-doubt, and absolutely convinced the Camino was something other people did.

Once I started walking, I quickly learned that I’d bought the wrong boots, my pack was far too big, and most of the things causing me sleepless nights at home weren’t even true.

If that sounds like you right now, trust me, you’re not alone. And despite all my fears, I walked 800 kilometres solo across Spain and then kept going back for more.

Can You Walk The Camino?

I don’t know you personally, but I do know you’re reading this, which tells me that you have a voice inside calling you to walk the Camino.

It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed. But know that the Camino is entirely achievable, no matter your age or your current fitness level. However, when you are sitting at home looking at maps, strange town names, flights, and endless packing lists, the planning itself can feel like a mountain.

The biggest mistake is thinking that you must have all of the answers right now. You don’t. You just need to learn, in the same way that you will walk: little by little, one step at a time.

Why Trust Me and My Workshops?

There’s a lot of advice out there so why listen to me?  Because I have been where you are and the experience changed my life.   

Since 2013 I have:

And I’ve poured that knowledge (and a lot of love) into my online workshops.

They bring all of that experience together in one place. I created the resource I wish I’d had before my first Camino. It’s easy to use, and you can dip in and out whenever it suits you, without feeling like you have a schedule.

Let Me Introduce My Camino Planning Workshops

On my very first Camino, I made pretty much every mistake imaginable. And for a large part of my journey, I was terrified that I simply wasn’t “good enough” to do it.

Twenty-four Caminos later, I know a lot better and I poured that knowledge into my workshops.

There are no strict rules; you can follow them in order, dip into the sections that feel most relevant to you, and watch at your own pace. Once you purchase, your access is evergreen, so you can return to them whenever you need a boost of confidence.

You’ll find:

All for just $35.

Workshop 1: What Is the Camino?

Learn about the history of the Camino, ancient paths, traditions, and culture, all while making sense of terms like sello, credencial, and Compostela.

Workshop 2: Which Camino Should You Walk?

Not all Camino routes are the same. I look at the honest pros and cons of the major routes so you can choose the path that fits you best.

Workshop 3: Travel To & From the Camino

After years of international travel, Gerry and I have learned the easiest ways to navigate flights, trains, and transfers. We’ll show you how to connect the dots to reach the start line stress-free, and how to find your way home after.

Workshop 4: Planning Your Stages & Finding a Bed

Worried about the “bed race” or daily distances? I’ll show you how to build a realistic stage plan that works for you and share the exact tools I use to find accommodations and calculate distances.

Workshop 5: A Typical Day on the Camino

What is pilgrim life really like day after day? We talk about early mornings, snoring, communal meals, laundry, food stops, walking etiquette, and managing the emotional highs and lows.

Workshop 6: What’s In My Bag?

It is so easy to overpack or waste money on unnecessary gear. I show you exactly what we pack and what to leave at home. I’ll tell you about unneeded gadgets and offer advice on footwear, clothes, first aid, and blister care.

I truly believe our packing advice alone will save you the cost of the workshops in avoided purchases!

What Pilgrims Say About My Workshops

Here are just a handful of kind words and messages I’ve received :

“Just buy it! All of it! The most thorough, thoughtful Camino planning resource you can use.”

“The workshops were brilliant — they changed everything.”

“You taught us everything we needed to know — and so much we didn’t know to ask.”

“So much information, so generously shared. A perfect preparation.”

“Well-organised, motivating, and full of hard-earned wisdom.”

You will find information in here that I haven’t found on any other social media posting. It will save you time and overwhelm

Colleen has created an online resource in such an organized way that you will have everything that you need to plan your first, second, or fifth Camino!

I have been reflecting on my Camino and marveling at how wonderful it was. Your advice contributed mightily to my experience. So, I am very grateful that I found you.

This isn’t a typical you-tube video or blogger series. It is the friend that you wished that you had that has gone on over twenty camino trips and who wants you to have the best experience you can on your first trip.

I have more but you get the idea! And if you’d like to know more about my experiences, then here’s a quick little run down of what we’ve done. This was 2025… so I’ve done more since!

Why I Created My Camino Workshops

There’s a huge amount of Camino information online.  Some of it is excellent but some of it is conflicting, outdated, or written by people who have only walked once.

I have learned so much over the years and I am passionate about the Camino.  I know that there is no one ‘right’ way to walk.  And if I can pass on what I’ve learned and help just one pilgrim to walk then I’ll be happy.

The Camino changed my life, and I believe it can be life-changing for others too.  I don’t want it to feel out of reach, or impossible for you.

Camino Planning Workshops FAQs

1. Do I need hiking experience to understand the course?

No. The workshops are designed for complete beginners. I created these workshops for people like me. Ordinary people who feel called to the Camino but aren’t sure where to start.

2. How long do I get access to the course?

You have lifetime access to all the workshops. There’s no expiry date, and whenever I update or add new content, you’ll continue to have access to it.

3. Can I watch at my own pace?

Absolutely. In fact, it’s better if you do. There’s a lot to take in, so I encourage you to move through the workshops in a way that works for you; just like the Camino, one step at a time.

4. Are the workshops suitable for solo pilgrims?

Yes, very much so.  I walked my first Camino solo, so I understand the worries and questions that many solo pilgrims have before they leave home.

5. How do payments work?

The workshops are hosted securely through ThriveCart, which uses Stripe for payments. Stripe is one of the most trusted and secure payment systems used worldwide. 

6. Do I need Social Media to access the course?

No. The workshops are accessed entirely online through your course login. But if you use Facebook, you’re also welcome to join my private Camino community but this is completely optional and not required to follow the workshops.

Are You Ready To Start Planning Your Camino?

You already know that you want to walk and something is calling you to the Camino. You wouldn’t have read this far if you didn’t.

I know that most first-time pilgrims aren’t looking for perfection. They need clarity, lots of reassurance, and the confidence to take those first steps. That’s exactly why I created these workshops. 

Something straightforward, all under one roof, in simple steps, that you can follow in your own time. I’ll help you avoid common mistakes and understand what the Camino is really like before you leave home.

More importantly, I hope that my workshops help you feel calmer, more prepared, and excited for your journey ahead.