A Soldiers Camino – Post Activity Report

[RefugeInsomniac]

Good day; some forum members may recall me on this forum as DavidsRetired, but I removed myself several months back for personal reasons; essentially minimising my online activity.

Regardless, I had mentioned in 2015, 16 that I was developing a Camino walk for soldiers, and several members of this forum were interested and indeed supported and followed my initiative from start to finish; which I greatly appreciate. Additionally, I had met a number of interested pilgrims during my 2015 walk in support of this undertaking and during the actual conduct in April/May of this year.

One of the primary talking points was on the outcome of this initiative, while others were interested in developing similar projects and looking for lessons learned. During the development stages of this project, I had decided that a Post Activity Report would be instrumental in its long-term success. The goal was for a full-time charity organisation to adopt this project as their own and offer it to those soldiers who may benefit from this type of activity.

Which brings me to the point of re-joining this forum and this post, especially as many members of this forum provided their support for this project.

I am in the final stages of drafting the report and am hoping to have it posted on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RoyalCamino) in the very near future, for those interested.

The final report will be distributed to key players in the Canadian Forces, Veterans Affairs and those organisations currently supporting veterans within Canada. Additionally, several militaries have asked for a copy of the report, including the Spanish Military Attaché to Washington and Ottawa. I am currently seeking to expand the distribution list and, hopeful to include Chaplain Branches throughout several militaries. If anyone has suggestions (and email addresses) where I can send a PDF version, I will be happy to send a copy directly.

Again, thank you for your support over the years.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Lurch]

Companero (no tilda on my keyboard)...are you restricting this to Canadian military?

Lurch..Marine Nam vet

 

[peregrina2000]

Good day; some forum members may recall me on this forum as DavidsRetired, but I removed myself several months back for personal reasons; essentially minimising my online activity.

Regardless, I had mentioned in 2015, 16 that I was developing a Camino walk for soldiers, and several members of this forum were interested and indeed supported and followed my initiative from start to finish; which I greatly appreciate. Additionally, I had met a number of interested pilgrims during my 2015 walk in support of this undertaking and during the actual conduct in April/May of this year.

One of the primary talking points was on the outcome of this initiative, while others were interested in developing similar projects and looking for lessons learned. During the development stages of this project, I had decided that a Post Activity Report would be instrumental in its long-term success. The goal was for a full-time charity organisation to adopt this project as their own and offer it to those soldiers who may benefit from this type of activity.

Which brings me to the point of re-joining this forum and this post, especially as many members of this forum provided their support for this project.

I am in the final stages of drafting the report and am hoping to have it posted on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RoyalCamino) in the very near future, for those interested.

The final report will be distributed to key players in the Canadian Forces, Veterans Affairs and those organisations currently supporting veterans within Canada. Additionally, several militaries have asked for a copy of the report, including the Spanish Military Attaché to Washington and Ottawa. I am currently seeking to expand the distribution list and, hopeful to include Chaplain Branches throughout several militaries. If anyone has suggestions (and email addresses) where I can send a PDF version, I will be happy to send a copy directly.

Again, thank you for your support over the years.

Cheers,
Dave

Hi, Dave, so very good to hear from you again. I would love to read the report of your actual camino with the veterans. I vaguely remember that you were debating between having the participants walk in a loose group and encouraging them to walk alone. Based on what you report, I am assuming that it was a success and you must feel like all that work was well worth it.

Wishing you the most success possible with your follow-up attempt to find a permanent home and source of funding for this amazing project.

My university has a well funded Institute for student veterans. I know they have a number of extracurricular projects. If you would like to make contact with a US group, this center may be appropriate. I can help set up a channel of communication if you think there would be any point: http://woundedvetcenter.ahs.illinois.edu

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[CaminoDebrita]

All respect to you, Sir! Great work!

 

[Waka]

Dave
I remember talking to you in Leon, you must be very proud of your achievement. I would also love to read your final report.

 

[RefugeInsomniac]

Companero (no tilda on my keyboard)...are you restricting this to Canadian military?

Lurch..Marine Nam vet

Our initiative has already taken place. However, there are several similar ventures ongoing; the following two are in the US:

Warriors On The Way: https://www.facebook.com/WarriorsOnTheWay

and

Brad Genereux – Veterans On The Camino: https://veteransonthecamino.com

Hope this helps!

 

[RefugeInsomniac]

My university has a well funded Institute for student veterans. I know they have a number of extracurricular projects. If you would like to make contact with a US group, this center may be appropriate. I can help set up a channel of communication if you think there would be any point: http://woundedvetcenter.ahs.illinois.edu

Buen camino, Laurie

Hi Laurie; that would be fantastic! Once the report is finalised, I’ll post a PDF copy in this thread and/or a link to our Facebook page where it can be downloaded; feel free to distribute as you deem appropriate. My email will be in the report for those wishing to contact me or my partner directly.

 

[RefugeInsomniac]

Dave
I remember talking to you in Leon, you must be very proud of your achievement. I would also love to read your final report.

Yes, I remember you well! We were sitting with Shelley Houghton (NZ), who is currently walking the Coast to Coast Walk in the UK – Day 14 I believe. Hope all is well? Take care!

 

[Lurch]

Thanks...and Semper Fi.

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

Good day; some forum members may recall me on this forum as DavidsRetired, but I removed myself several months back for personal reasons; essentially minimising my online activity.

Regardless, I had mentioned in 2015, 16 that I was developing a Camino walk for soldiers, and several members of this forum were interested and indeed supported and followed my initiative from start to finish; which I greatly appreciate. Additionally, I had met a number of interested pilgrims during my 2015 walk in support of this undertaking and during the actual conduct in April/May of this year.

One of the primary talking points was on the outcome of this initiative, while others were interested in developing similar projects and looking for lessons learned. During the development stages of this project, I had decided that a Post Activity Report would be instrumental in its long-term success. The goal was for a full-time charity organisation to adopt this project as their own and offer it to those soldiers who may benefit from this type of activity.

Which brings me to the point of re-joining this forum and this post, especially as many members of this forum provided their support for this project.

I am in the final stages of drafting the report and am hoping to have it posted on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RoyalCamino) in the very near future, for those interested.

The final report will be distributed to key players in the Canadian Forces, Veterans Affairs and those organisations currently supporting veterans within Canada. Additionally, several militaries have asked for a copy of the report, including the Spanish Military Attaché to Washington and Ottawa. I am currently seeking to expand the distribution list and, hopeful to include Chaplain Branches throughout several militaries. If anyone has suggestions (and email addresses) where I can send a PDF version, I will be happy to send a copy directly.

Again, thank you for your support over the years.

Cheers,
Dave

Hi Dave!

This was a very interesting read. As a Veteran (20 years of service including 3 tours in Bosnia and 2 in Kosovo)- i was actually thinking similar taughts myself during my Camino this summer. I'm Attached to the Norwegian Veteran Association (NVIO) as well- and have good contacts there.
I think it would be a very good idea to arrange such a trip - with veterans (and others) - and my target group was those with a PTSD diagnosis.

Best
Håvard

 

[RefugeInsomniac]

Hi Dave!

This was a very interesting read. As a Veteran (20 years of service including 3 tours in Bosnia and 2 in Kosovo)- i was actually thinking similar taughts myself during my Camino this summer. I'm Attached to the Norwegian Veteran Association (NVIO) as well- and have good contacts there.
I think it would be a very good idea to arrange such a trip - with veterans (and others) - and my target group was those with a PTSD diagnosis.

Best
Håvard

Hi Håvard; it’s a worthwhile endeavour, but certainly not without its stressors. Nonetheless, the outcome was positive. If interested, read the end-report once completed and posted and feel free to contact either my partner or I, if you have any additional questions.

As a side note; in 1977, 78, I took part in several exercises in Norway, which I enjoyed immensely. Spent most of my time in and around Narvik, Bardufoss, Tromsø areas. In the early 90s, I was on the Herc which flew into Oslo, and brought back 3 of the engines from a Canadian WW 2 Halifax Bomber, shot down during the war, and has since been restored. Some great memories!

Take care!

 

[RefugeInsomniac]

The Post Royal Camino Activity Report is now complete and available for widest dissemination.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/…/ROYAL%20CAMINO%20PAR%20Final.pd…

We encourage all those who may be interested and/or know of others who are developing similar initiatives to review our report and indeed pass along to those individuals or organisations who may benefit or help directly.

It is our hope to see the Royal Camino Initiative adopted by a supporting agency, who can develop and provided this opportunity to others who may benefit the most from such an experience.

This available report and associated files are open and without personal data and can, therefore, be distributed freely.

Those seeking further information can contact the developers and authors of this project and report directly; contact information within the signature block.

Note: Have attached the report directly and will attach some of our supporting files in a new post below.

 

[RefugeInsomniac]

Royal Camino Supporting Files, which we developed and used during the initiative.

 

[RefugeInsomniac]

Brad Genereux, from Veterans on the Camino, a US initiative is now seeking soldiers for a spring 2018 Camino; please pass the word: https://veteransonthecamino.com/2017/10/08/preparations-for-spring-camino-2018/