Berkshire Camino curated and led mindfully guided day hikes and transformational multi-day hiking retreats making it easy, safe, convenient and engaging for the casual hiker to explore the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts on foot.
Hello Berkshire Camino friends,
I'll start with the headline: Berkshire Camino is called it a wrap at the end of this 2024 season. My Camino is coming to completion and while I have such mixed emotions, it is really a beautiful moment that I intend to approach as a celebration.
I've loved my time leading Berkshire Camino and learned so much as I've brought this passion project to the world. A part of me wants to hold on tight and keep pursuing the ultimate vision for Berkshire Camino. Right up until the moment that I decided to let go, I was conceiving what the 2025 season would look like. My passion and creativity had not waned.
Yet, when I slowed down enough to tap into my inner knowing I heard myself say...
The "goal" is ultimately being in the experience of the journey, not the destination. And what a journey it has been! Now all you have to do is let it go with grace and gratitude. Just like we practice on Berkshire Camino hikes.
From my pilgrimage mindset lens, a journey comes to completion as we summon the awareness to let something go. If you've been on a hike with Berkshire Camino you've no doubt experienced this.
I've reached my letting go moment. I intend to let go and celebrate the gifts that this has brought me...and others!
When I look at the arc of the story, I see a full and complete narrative that has been Berkshire Camino. All told, my Berkshire Camino journey has been a seven year chapter. I took a metaphorical leap off of a cliff when I left my full time job in 2017, twice walked the Camino de Santiago in 2018/2019, juggled part time jobs to keep cash flowing, parlayed an inspiration into a business idea, embarked on the entrepreneurial journey, engaged the Berkshires tourism community, supported visitors to the area and my team in a beneficial way, contributed to the local economy, and have learned so, so much about myself and what it takes to be in business. What gifts that I carry forward to whatever else is on my path.
What a transformation this has brought me. I am not who I was pre-Camino and the light it turned up in me will continue to shine.
Most important of all are the people who found their way to Berkshire Camino. Knowing that my experience walking the Camino stimulated change in others who in turn are impacting others is what it is all about.
Here is some practical information that you as guests want to know:
The business officially closed on November 4, 2024. For those of you who had a day hike or multi-day journey with Berkshire Camino on your wish list for 2025 and beyond, I'm truly sorry that we cannot make that happen for you. We truly miss the guests who came back year after year!
There is a glimmer of an idea to write an e-book that would provide self-guided hikers the information needed to plan and execute a hike on the routes that Berkshire Camino developed for our multi-day hiking journey offerings. There is no timeline for this. If you are interested in the e-book and want to be informed if/when it becomes available, please fill out the contact form.
I am now affiliated with Berkshire Corporate Retreats that transforms the way teams interact, communicate and perform with powerfully facilitated, customized retreats. Day hikes are available for groups ranging from small to larger teams. BCR is capable of planning every aspect of a single or multi-day retreat. Visit their website for more details.
If you would like to stay in touch and see how my story continues to unfold, please sign up for our newsletter. While the Berkshire Camino newsletter is currently in hibernation mode, I may offer those who are interested to stay in communication to opt-in to another email list down the road.
Sending much love and gratitude to all of the people who I have crossed paths with on this journey,Happy trails and Buen Camino!
Mindy
Berkshire Camino Founder