FAQ
Who is the main sponsor of this event?
The Avalon School (avalonschools.org) in Wheaton, Maryland and the Brookewood School
(brookewoodschool.org) in Kensington, Maryland and the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
(setonshrine.org) in Emmitsburg, Maryland are the main sponsors. Both schools have been
organizing pilgrimages of 15 - 23.5 miles for the past 17 years. Rich McPherson, the President of
Avalon and Brookewood and the headmaster of Brookewood is the main organizer of the event.
Why is it called the Camino of Maryland?
We are imitating the Camino of Santiago de Compestela in Spain. Instead of walking across
Spain (450 - 500 miles) we will be walking across Maryland (218 miles) and, instead of St.
James’ tomb, we will be walking to the tomb of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, the first
person born in our country to be canonized. She lived in Maryland and is the patron saint of
Catholic Schools and the patron saint of Maryland. This is the 50th anniversary of her
canonization (September 14, 1975).
When does the Camino of Maryland take place?
The Camino begins at 12:00 pm on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the tip of Point Lookout where the
Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River meet. It ends on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the Shrine of St.
Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md with Mass celebrated at 1:30 pm. In between we will
stop at historic churches. A van will leave Avalon at 9:00 am on Monday, June 9 and transport
you to the start at Point Lookout, if need be.
How long is the Camino?
It is approximately 218 miles. It will be an average of 15.6 miles a day. The longest leg is 22
miles from St. Catherine Laboure in Wheaton, Maryland to St. Mary’s in Barnesville. The
shortest legs are the first and last days. They are between 8 and 9 miles.
Do you have to walk the whole Camino?
Certainly not. You can walk one leg, walk our southern route, walk our northern route, or walk
each of the two weekends or any combination. Look at our website for all the possibilities.
How do I get back to my starting point if I join for a leg?
If you can’t make your own arrangements, then an Avalon or Brookewood van will take you
back to your car.
Do we walk as a group or at our own pace?
We would like to stay together, but we understand that some pilgrims will walk slower than
others. Each person will have road-by-road directions so if you fall back, you will still be able to
find your way to each church. Google Maps is good if all else fails. It would be good to walk
with at least one partner.
Where do we stay?
Pilgrims must make their own arrangements. Most pilgrims will camp out at the last stop of
the day. Churches and schools and Boy Scouts have allowed us to camp out on their property and
use their bathroom facilities. Some pilgrims will go home at night and return in the morning.
Others will stay in a motel or an Airbnb. Pilgrims must be 18 years or older or be
accompanied by an adult to stay overnight at the Camino of Maryland host sites.
Where are the stops?
You can go to our website – Camino-MD.org to find the complete route.
What about tents and equipment?
You should bring your own tents and sleeping bags. If you are not in a group, we will provide
vans to move your equipment from day to day. Groups should provide their own transport.
Some pilgrims will carry their own equipment.
What is the cost?
If you stay at a school or church for the night, we ask for a $10.00 goodwill offering. There is a
$4.00 charge for the boat to get to St. Clement’s Island. Also, if you take a car, there will be a
small cost to get to Point Lookout.
How do we eat?
Like the Camino in Spain, you are responsible for your own food. We will pass many restaurants
and food stores. A few of the churches and schools have offered to feed us. Also, Avalon and
Brookewood vans will provide water, snacks, band aids, rides, and other needs all along the way.
What will the surfaces be like that we walk on?
Mostly roads. In Southern Maryland (Route 5) there are wide breakdown lanes. From Clinton,
Maryland to a few miles past Frederick it will be mostly sidewalks. The final legs are a mix of
breakdown lanes and roads with little or no breakdown lanes. There are some roads with narrow
breakdown lanes in Southern Maryland, also. Fortunately, they are not heavily traveled. Stay to
the extreme left and be aware. There are a few hills, but the route is mostly flat. There will be
someone walking in front of all the pilgrims so that cars will slow down. Wear a bright-colored
shirt!
What are some of the things that will happen during the Camino?
We will have Mass at the beginning of each day except the first day, June 9, Mass will be at 4:00
pm at St. Mary’s in Ridge, Maryland; Thursday, June 12, Mass will be at 11:15 am on St.
Clement’s Island; Wednesday, June 18 Mass will be at 12:15 at the Basilica of the Immaculate
Conception; and on the final day, Sunday, June 22, the Mass will be at 1:30 pm at the Shrine of
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. We will pray the joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries of
the rosary each day along the Camino. Confession will be available. Some pilgrims might want
to do some sightseeing or explore restaurants and pubs. Some evenings we’ll have a fire, sing
songs, enjoy cigars, beer, and wine. Always, there will be good fellowship.
Any final advice?
Get in walking shape. Wear bright-colored shirts. Bring two pairs of shoes. 4 pairs of socks. Pack
lightly. Offer up any inconveniences for special intentions. Pray hard. Grow closer to God.
Invoke St. Elizabeth Ann Seton often. Enjoy being outdoors. Tell others!
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
You can go to our website Camino-MD.org and leave a message, and someone will get in touch
with you, or you can contact Rich McPherson at rmcpherson1@gmail.com or call him at 301
442-5463.