The Children's Crusade

This sounds like it was not possible because it seemed like such a large number of children.  But, I think this happened based on my research.      I found this in the  Encyclopaedia Britannica. It stated the Children’s Crusade was a  “popular religious movement in Europe during the summer of 1212 in which thousands of young people took Crusading vows and set out to recover Jerusalem from the Muslims. Lasting only from May to September, the Children’s Crusade lacked official sanction and ended in failure; none of the participants reached the Holy Land. Nevertheless, the religious fervour it excited helped to initiate the Fifth Crusade (1218). It was arguably the first Europe youth movement.” Enyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica online Library Edition. Encyclopaedia Britanica, Inc., 2012. Web. 9 2012.      I also learned that the leader of the Children's Crusade was Stephen of Cloyes who was 12 years old. He claimed he received a letter from Jesus  that ordered him to organize a Crusade. He gathered about 30,000 followers, all children.  Adults cheered them on as they passed through towns.  http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/childrens_crusade.htm