How to volunteer as a 'hospitalera' in 2022

[JLA]

I'd like to volunteer as a hospitalera at one or more places along the Camino Frances this coming September. Actually, I'll be walking, and hopefully volunteering during August and September. Does anyone know how to make arrangements for this sort of thing these days?

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I'd like to volunteer as a hospitalera at one or more places along the Camino Frances this coming September. Actually, I'll be walking, and hopefully volunteering during August and September. Does anyone know how to make arrangements for this sort of thing these days?

I'd have thought the various associations will have filled their books for this year by now - when I volunteered for Rabanal I was offered a place the following year but that was, of course, in the halcyon days before Covid.
I think I'm correct in saying the American Pilgrims on the Camino offer training courses? You might try through them.

Edit: try this americanpilgrims.org

 

[JLA]

Thanks, Jeff. I did just send a message to the local chapter of the APOC here in Portland and waiting for a response.

 

[trecile]

Yes, American Pilgrims offers hospitalero/a training.

Hospitalero Training - American Pilgrims on the Camino

americanpilgrims.org

I would also contact @Rebekah Scott for ideas.

 

[vjpdx]

Another option, which might be more cost-effective and may be closer to you, is being trained by the Canadian Company of Pilgrims (located in Victoria). The website gives no info on when the next training is, but you can them for more information.

 

[vjpdx]

And, it looks like a training just happened.

 

[JLA]

Thx vjpdx.
Are you actually located in Portland?

 

[LisaMorales]

I'd like to volunteer as a hospitalera at one or more places along the Camino Frances this coming September. Actually, I'll be walking, and hopefully volunteering during August and September. Does anyone know how to make arrangements for this sort of thing these days?

Hello there are many different ways to volunteer. Not all Albergues require training. There are private public parochial and Association albergues. Some will require you to have completed a camino or at least 100 km and have stayed in public accommodations. Some will require vaccinations. There are opportunities in all types. Private albergues are in need of free labor but that is not advisable for the local economy as people need work.

 

[J Willhaus]

We volunteer for HosVol which serves a number of the donativo albergues on the Camino. They do require that you take their approved hospitalero course and that you must have stayed in at least three albergues that are either municipal, paroquial, or association managed. If you want to PM me I can give you more information and contacts. I do know that in April our volunteer coordinator for HosVol was still looking for hospitaleros for the year. HosVol volunteers serve a lot of albergues on several different Camino routes. This year we are volunteering for a different organization FICS and @Rebekah Scott was the one we contacted.

 

[vjpdx]

Thx vjpdx.
Are you actually located in Portland?

I am! Near NE.

 

[LisaMorales]

We volunteer for HosVol which serves a number of the donativo albergues on the Camino. They do require that you take their approved hospitalero course and that you must have stayed in at least three albergues that are either municipal, paroquial, or association managed. If you want to PM me I can give you more information and contacts. I do know that in April our volunteer coordinator for HosVol was still looking for hospitaleros for the year. HosVol volunteers serve a lot of albergues on several different Camino routes. This year we are volunteering for a different organization FICS and @Rebekah Scott was the one we contacted.

I'll be back at Nájera again this year, in Portugal and at Lourdes as hospi. Thanks for stepping up!

 

[williamlittig]

I'd like to volunteer as a hospitalera at one or more places along the Camino Frances this coming September. Actually, I'll be walking, and hopefully volunteering during August and September. Does anyone know how to make arrangements for this sort of thing these days?

You might also contact Pilgrim House in Santiago for a wonderful volunteer experience.

 

[aussieredhat]

As above with Hosvol & Fics . The training is important as shifts your focus . There are often cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances - so good ahead do training if you can & provide your feasible dates
I volunteered in late summer on Camino Frances pre Covid in a municipal donativo albergue . Exceptionally busy 90 pilgrims each day . That’s a lot of bed laundry !!! Took up all of the morning.
Plus bed bugs , party touristica drunks , walkers who travelled minimal items & complained there were no blankets .
I walked 15 kms each day just by being in the albergue.

It’s rewarding , true service & will test you on many levels if in a larger albergue .
I would do again in a small albergue

 

[Zen Librarian]

Just in case there are some Dutch people reading this: The management of the albergue in Roncesvalles is assisted by hospitaleros of the Dutch Santiago Society. They are always in need of volunteers to fill the 8 to 10 teams that rotate every two weeks from April to November. Website with more info: https://www.santiago.nl/hospitaleren/

 

[vjpdx]

American Pilgrims on the Camino is doing a hospitalero training June 17-19, 2022 in Stanchfield, MN.

 

[mark stevens]

I'd like to volunteer as a hospitalera at one or more places along the Camino Frances this coming September. Actually, I'll be walking, and hopefully volunteering during August and September. Does anyone know how to make arrangements for this sort of thing these days?

One day I wish to do this also. One day….

 

[Mi Steph]

One day I wish to do this also. One day….

Me too. My planned to donthe camino in 2024 or 2025, God willing.