Local Chapters

American Pilgrims is a national organization and is eager to encourage and support local or regional groups that wish to form Local Chapters. You can check the individual chapter pages linked below and the Local Events Calendar for event dates and information. If you are traveling to an area where there is a local chapter, check their page to see if you will be coinciding with an event there. 

There's a move afoot to form a Western Pennsylvania - Eastern Ohio Chapter and they have a second exploratory event planned. And there is a first exploratory meeting to scope out interest in a DelMarVa Chapter. (That's the DelMarVa Peninsula - the east shore of the Chesapeake Bay. But those of you who live there already knew that!) If you live in either of these general areas, check out the particulars down below.

If you would like information about starting a local chapter or presently scheduled chapter exploratory meetings, please see the information at the bottom of this page.

Link to chapter coordinator resources. Password protected. Last modified 25 March 2019.

Local Chapters listed by state:

Note that some chapters may lap over into adjacent states for events.

Scheduled Exploratory Meetings

Much of the time there are chapter formation exploratory meetings scheduled in various places in the country.

None at the moment. Check back from time to time.

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Forming a Local Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino

After returning from the Camino, people often want to connect with others who have had a similar experience. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of starting a local chapter, American Pilgrims can guide you through the process and help you find other pilgrims in your area. Activities can be as simple as meeting for coffee, a potluck, a walk or visiting a  restaurant for tapas. Many groups have informational slide shows and meetings to help new pilgrims learn about and prepare for the Camino. 

If you already have a group that is meeting for Camino-related activities or if you would like to start a group in your area, consider becoming a formally recognized Local Chapter of American Pilgrims. Chapters are led by at least two coordinators (not a couple) who: 

• Are current members of American Pilgrims;
• Who are willing to share their enthusiasm for the Camino; and
• Who have the time and energy to organize events during the year. 

Benefits of being a Local Chapter:

• A presence on the American Pilgrims website so that people are aware of the existence of your Local Chapter;
• The possibility of communication with other chapter coordinators who can provide ideas and support;
• Space in La Concha, the American Pilgrims newsletter, so you can share chapter news;
• Use of the American Pilgrims logo;
• Liability insurance coverage from American Pilgrims for events, provided advance notice is made to the American Pilgrims Association Manager;
• An American Pilgrims' e-mail address for chapter communication;
• If you wish, a MailChimp account for mass communications with your chapter; and
• Financial assistance from the national organization to help defray some event and program expenses. 

If you think you and your area would qualify for forming a chapter, the first step is submitting the online Chapter Formation Application. Upon receipt of the application, an American Pilgrims Chapter Liaison will:

• Conduct a telephone interview to help assess the viability forming a chapter and to ensure that there are qualified and enthusiastic people to lead the new chapter; and
• Assist in identifying additional coordinator candidates if necessary. 

Upon completing a successful initial interview, the Chapter Liaison will guide the proposed new chapter coordinators through the formal establishment process. This will begin with identifying others in the area who might be interested and scheduling an exploratory meeting.  If the chapter is deemed viable, the chapter coordinators will sign the Memorandum of Understanding outlining chapter responsibilities, training requirements, conflict of interest requirements and the support that American Pilgrims will provide. Further steps will include establishing the chapter's website page, creating a chapter e-mail address and announcing the new chapter to the pilgrim community. 

If you think you qualify, we'd love to hear from you!

Rev 03/25/19