Can I still exercise with shin splints?

I recently started walking everyday, now that school is out. The first day that I did, I got really bad shin splints. I think I over did it the first day. I want to join the tack team next fall at school. Can I still walk, except maybe at a slower pace, then once they heal start running? I have never had them before. I have always only played softball at school. But, now that I will be going into high school, I want to join the track team.