group size

[williad]

I am planning on leading a trip of youth and other adults from my church on the Camino next summer. We are in our beginning stages of planning right now and I have a few questions.

Is there a group size that is too big for the Camino? I have done the trip on the Camino Frances and would like to consider it again. But I do not want to fill up any albergues with my group alone. We'll likely go with a group of 18 - 20.

Is there a 100k route that would be best suited for a group of 18 - 20?

If we had a handful of our group (4 - 6) sleep in tents, would that be acceptable at most of the albergues?

Thanks in advance for your feedback

 

[sillydoll]

I am planning on leading a small group - max 12 - on the camino next spring.
Things to consider is that many traditional shelters don't take groups, especially those that have 20 or less places.
The route with the best infrastructure on the last 100km is the Camino Frances. Sarria has a number of albergues so you could split up. Ditto for Portomarin and Palas de Rei: Melide's albergue has 130 places and Arca 100 so you should be alright there: Monte de Gozo will take your group with no problem.
I think you'll be alright - go for it!

 

[suzie morgs]

I'm taking a group next year as a leadup to world youth day and plan to start in Sarria on about 4th August 2011. We have pre booked accommodation as we don't want to take a large group (20+) into albergues. This will mean that we don't have to rush for a bed or have a group that impacts on the dynamics of the experience for other pilgrims. I'm hoping our group will have an authentic experience enroute by engaging with those who have walked from afar as they travel along, enjoying the experiences and stories of those who have immersed themselves in the camino and remembering camino etiquette. I know we will be paying more to secure accommodation but think it will be worth it with a group as large as ours. I'm about to head off to the camino to walk from sarria viewing the route with a group in mind. The last time I went through Sarria, I had walked from St Jean and was only concentrating on getting myself to the cathedral, so taking a group will be a rich and rewarding experience. Good luck with your planning
Suzie