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Is Seven too Young for Child on a "Short" Camino...from Sarr

J

John Hussey

Active Member
I wonder when is a child too yoing to walk The Camino?

t appears I shall be headed to Madrid next month, accompanying my daughter and three grandsons, visiting family in Spain. I have just had the bright idea of walking from Sarria to Santiago with my oldest grandson, just seven years old. I was wondering from any who have done it with such young children, whether you consider it advisable or not? From Sarria, there are villages frequently, few drastic ups and downs and i could walk slow, having him lead the way, going at his pace. I want to do it but my daughter is skeptical. She has never walked The Camino. I have done it now 2 1/2 times, twice El Camino Frances from SJPdP. Going from Sarria my young grandson still obtains his Compostella. If he likes it we'll even walk on to the Sea, to Finisterre! Any of you with kid's advice would be deeply appreciated.
 
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Is this something *he* wants to do or are you the only one that's excited? If it's something he's interested in too, I say go for it. Just make sure you train with him doing long-ish walks and let him lead in both pace and distance. Also, make sure you know how he's going to be at the end of the day if you're planning on staying in communal housing as you don't want a pissed-off/grumpy 7-year-old making all the other pilgrims miserable. I say go for it though. It's not like you're stuck on it if you discover it's just not working out. you can always change your mind and head for the coast for a few days.
 
The number of children on the Camino is growing. More and more young families and individuals are doing the Camino together with their children. Unfortunately, there are no up to date statistics on babies or very young children because the Pilgrim Office no longer records their ages. These stats for children from 0 to 12 years are from 2006 to 2009:

2006 – 930
2007 – 1 070
2008 – 1 093
2009 – 1 272

In the 1999 Holy Year 1 470 children were registered at Santiago and in the 2004 Holy Year 7% of the pilgrims registered at Santiago were from 0–10 years of age (925 children) and 11–15 years (15 967 children).

I'm sure you two will have a wonderful walk!!
 
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John Hussey said:
I have just had the bright idea of walking from Sarria to Santiago with my oldest grandson, just seven years old.
Click to expand...
He could do it if he is a good walker, has good shoes, and doesn't carry more than water and snacks.
It might be useful to ask a pediatrician for his/her advice after a check up of the child.
You, as a veteran walker, will probably suffer more from the slow walking pace :lol:
 
if the 'team' works well, it's probably ok, but yes @ least you can bail out if it goes belly up, us adults can push & push, I don't think you are like that John, so I wish you well.
My 2 daughters @ 10&11 walked 1/2 this they had a great time but have not done so since, my fault :roll: They do find it hard to pace them selves, it does not come naturally.
Good Luck
David
 
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
We saw a young family between Palas de Rei and Melide. The two little girls looked to be about 7 and 5 years old. They walked with little rucksacks and were obviously enjoying it. We passed them once, then again later in the morning when they were sitting at the trackside with their picnic.
No doubt it needs to be walked at the childrens pace and accomodation needs consideration, but what a great experience for those little ones
 
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