El Camino Trek 2009

The El Camino Trek will allow you to walk the last 9 days of the famed Camino de Santiago route through the beautiful Spanish countryside and also support GVN Foundation's Romanian Children's Fund. The Camino de Santiago is a magnificent route through the rolling green hills and small hamlets of northwestern Spain's Galicia. The crown jewel of Spanish walking trails, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela began as an act of faith as Europeans crossed Spain to visit the sacred tomb of Saint James. One thousand years later, the Camino continues to draw on the spiritual, architectural and scenic beauty of Spain. The outstanding food and the company of other 'pilgrims' from all over the world also add to the unique nature of the journey.

After the walk, you will spend a night in Santiago de Compostela, a magical city marked by fantastic monuments and filled with a lively buzz from the international pilgrims and university students who roam its medieval streets. The team will then fly to Bucharest, Romania, to visit the disabled orphans in the four group homes your funds will assist. The residents range from ten year old children to young adults who have suffered both physically and emotionally throughout their lives. With your help, GVN hopes to secure for them a brighter future.

GVN's partner in Romania, a Christian Mission which cares for disabled orphans, needs funding to pay for a speech therapist and a physical therapist for the residents of their homes during the next 2-3 years. By joining our Camino de Santiago adventure you will help provide the children with desperately needed resources and, perhaps more importantly, be an example of someone who cares about their well being.

Program Location

El Camino de Santiago is located in the north of Spain. Participants will be asked to locate their own flights/train ride to the beginning of the Camino walk in the city of Ponferrada (please see the map of the Camino below for an exact location). Participants are advised to fly into Madrid and then take a train/bus to Ponferrada.

From Ponferrada, participants will have a day to rest and the walk coordinator will conduct an orientation. The next day, the 9-day walk will commence through the Spanish countryside until we end in Santiago de Compostela.

After an evening in Santiago, participants will travel to Madrid for their flight to Bucharest, Romania, located in Eastern Europe. You will spend 2 nights in the Galeti district while you visit the disabled children your funds will assist. Upon arrival at the partner's program, participants will spend a day and a half with the orphans in the group homes. They will play games with the kids and, during the project day, help volunteers and the partner directors run a Special Olympics. A farewell dinner will be held on the final night.

After driving back to Bucharest, participants shall catch their connecting flights home.

Program Requirements

To participate in this trek you must:

• Be 18 years of age
• Be in good health
• Be very physically fit
• Have a positive attitude and teamwork mentality

Program Schedule

The 2009 walk will take place from June 7th to June 21st 2009.

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with the trek fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your El Camino Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for the trek is $5,180.00 USD. This price covers the following:

Trek Fee - $3,180.00 USD
$3,180 USD will go to our travel partner and trek coordinator who will plan all of the logistical aspects of this trip.

Romanian Children's Fund Fee - $2,000 USD
$2,000 USD will be donated to the Global Volunteer Network Children's Fund. This fund will allow our partner in Romania to hire a physical therapist and a speech therapist for the children in their care with physical and mental disabilities. Please note that WorldPay takes a 4.5% commission for credit card purchases before GVN receives the funds. Donations made to GVN by American donors are tax-deductible. Non-US donors cannot receive a tax-exemption.

The fees for this program include:

• All accommodation (while on El Camino and in Romania)
• All Breakfasts
• 5 dinners with wine- Including a celebratory dinner our last night in Santiago
• 5 lunches
• Information Packet
• Daily Orientation Meeting
• 1 Bi-Lingual guide and a support van on El Camino
• A guided tour of the cathedral in Santiago
• Local transport
• Meals with Romania Partner
• Project day with Romanian Orphans
• Hotel in Bucharest
• European Flights: Santiago/Madrid/Bucharest/Madrid

The fees for this program do not include:

• Un-specified meals
• International flight to/from Madrid
• Train to the start of El Camino, Ponferrada, from Madrid
• Souvenirs
• Unspecified Alcoholic Drinks
• Required Travel Insurance
• Meals in Bucharest
• Accommodation before or after the fundraiser

Please note: GVN/GVNF/GVN Romania reserves the right to determine the dissemination of funds.

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you look here.

Apply For The Trek

Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organizations that offer a full money back guarantee on your application fee if you decide not to go.
Click here to apply for the El Camino trek.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will fully refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

To apply for this program, click here