Cincinnati Area Backpackers

Bring your family and friends to Dayton’s original Backpacker Campfire, featuring adventure, nature and travel programs. The programs are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. The programs are usually on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm and last about 90 minutes.

Program: Walking The Camino De Santiago – The Portuguese Way

Presenters: Andy Niekamp

Description: Join Andy Niekamp as he narrates his trek on the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago, from Porto, Portugal, to Santiago, Spain. This second most popular Camino route boasts stunning coastal views, vibrant cities rich in history, quaint cobblestone streets, shrines, ancient churches, stone crosses, hiking trails, and friendly locals. The 19-day, 220-mile, pilgrimage photo journey follows Andy and his hiking partner along the multiple, and sometimes confusing, routes of the Portuguese Way, including the Litoral, Coastal, Central, and Spiritual routes. The trek concludes on Spain’s western shore at Finisterre whose name literally means “end of the earth,” as the Romans believed it was. Today, the Camino Finisterre has a reputation as a place of endings and new beginnings. This presentation will inspire you to embark on a Camino de Santiago journey of your own.

Bio: Bio: Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp, from Kettering, Ohio, has been an adventurer for more than 30 years. This IT professional turned long-distance hiker has logged over 35,000 miles of hiking in the last 20 years, including five end-to-end hikes on the Appalachian Trail. Andy is an experienced pilgrim on Camino de Santiago pilgrim, having completed three Caminos with over 900 miles of walking in Spain and Portugal. His other long hikes include Ohio's Buckeye Trail, Florida Trail, and the Arizona Trail. Captain Blue is the founder and organizer of Dayton Hikers, a Meetup group with thousands of members. He is the Chief Adventure Officer of Outdoor Adventure Connection, a backcountry guide service. He is the author of "Captain Blue on the Blue Blazes," a popular book about his Buckeye Trail journey. His passion is organizing special hiking events, encouraging others to experience the Camino, and leading trail maintenance outings.

The City of Springboro and the Franklin-Springboro Public Library presents the 2026 Next Destination Speaker Series. The program is free and open to the public.

Title: Conquering the Camino: Learn How To Plan Your Camino de Santiago Adventure

Presenter: Andy "El Capitán Azul" Niekamp

Program Description: Have you thought about a trek on the Camino de Santiago, but aren't sure where to start? This program will give you the knowledge and confidence to plan your own Camino adventure in Spain. This program will cover a variety of topics, such as history, the various routes, how to prepare, what to bring, lodging options, travel logistics, cultural differences, insights, and more about walking "The Way of Saint James." The French Way and the Portuguese Way, which account for 90% of all pilgrim journeys, will be emphasized. Learn why the Camino de Santiago, a thousand-year-old footpath, is often called a journey for the body, mind, and soul.

Bio: Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp, from Kettering, Ohio, has been an adventurer for more than 30 years. This IT professional turned long-distance hiker has logged over 35,000 miles of hiking in the last 20 years, including five end-to-end hikes on the Appalachian Trail. Andy is an experienced pilgrim on Camino de Santiago pilgrim, having completed three Caminos with over 900 miles of walking in Spain and Portugal.

His other long hikes include Ohio's Buckeye Trail, Florida Trail, and the Arizona Trail. Captain Blue is the founder and organizer of Dayton Hikers, a Meetup group with thousands of members. He is the Chief Adventure Officer of Outdoor Adventure Connection, a backcountry guide service. He is the author of "Captain Blue on the Blue Blazes," a popular book about his Buckeye Trail journey. His passion is organizing special hiking events, encouraging others to experience the Camino, and leading trail maintenance outings.