Special Event Programs

America's Gardens

Runs January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. Criteria: Participate in 20 different sanctioned events where the route actually utilizes the pathways of a named flower garden open to the public. Private gardens open to the public only on specific dates can count if the regular walk event is also scheduled on those same days. For seasonal and year-round events, the gardens must be open to the public on all applicable days to count. Arboretums, plantations, botanical gardens and parks containing named gardens may also be considered. Routes that include temporary display gardens set up for the occasion of a public flower festival count only during the actual days of the festival. Send $10 for booklet to : Lois Head, Central Minnesota Volkssports, PO Box 2162, St. Cloud, MN 56302-2162. Point of Contact, Lois, email LMHead@StCloudState.edu or phone (320)252-7348. Official web address for
Central Minnesota Volkssports

 

Artistic Heritage

Runs January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. Cost is $10. Criteria: Participate in 25 different sanctioned events where the route passes an active or historic community theatre, opera house or fine arts museum; previous or current home of an organized ensemble; site of historic, annual or pivotal art fair or musical "happening" or festival; designated or named artistic arena/venue; or home/statue of an American composer, playwright or performing artist. If you find the connection, it counts. Point of Contact, Lois Head, Central Minnesota Volkssports, PO Box 2162 St. Cloud, MN 56302-2162. Email LMHead@StCloudState.edu or phone (320)252-7348. Official web address for Central Minnesota Volkssports

 

Authors & Literary Landmarks
Walk and Read All About It! July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010. Only 15 events are needed to complete volume one. Any AVA sanctioned trail that features the following: places you read about in a book, cemetery where an author is buried, house where an author lived or wrote, etc. If you find the connection then it counts. Event stamp can only be entered once with a plus and once without per year. Cost of the program book and commemorative 3.75" x 4" patch is $10. For information or to order a book contact: Patty Proulx, PO Box 133, Jaffrey, NH 03452 or email jeffpattyproulx@copper.net If you love to read then this AVA special program sponsored by the Granite State Trail Walkers will be one of your favorites, like a book you pick up and can't put down until you finish! 

 

Carnegie Libraries

The Carnegie Libraries special event program begins January 1, 2010 and ends December 31, 2013. To qualify for the 4"x4" rectangular 100% embroidered patch you must walk 20 YREs or scheduled events that pass a Carnegie Library. All Carnegie Libraries will be accepted in the US and Canada even though they could be vacant, used for offices, privately owned, etc. Even those that have been destroyed will qualify if there is a date on a plaque giving the year it was razed or if the club researched it and has the information at the finish table for the walkers. Only one stamp will be accepted even if there is a main library and a branch on the same trail. Insert cards will be accepted but no stamp write-ins will be accepted. There will be a complete list of Carnegie Libraries in the US on the website. Clubs please check this list as there are many communities with Carnegie Libraries that already have YREs. The YRE could already be going past a Carnegie Library, or maybe you would have to just alter the YRE, or set up a new trail including the Carnegie Library. There are over 1400 Carnegie Libraries in the US and 156 in Canada. The cost of the program is $10. Please send check payable to Holy Family Walkers to 1714 NW 49th Street, Lawton, OK 73505-3241. POCs are Debra Leffler, (580)355-6949 or email debra6949@sbcglobal.net and Sharon and George Snyder (580)357-2930 or email walkingfan@aol.com Books will not be mailed till December 2009.

 

Cemetery Stroll
We've extended the program for another year! Learn historic facts about people who lived and died in the location in which you are walking. Enjoy the peacefulness and quiet of their final resting place. Join the Spirit of Walking Program now.  From July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2010. Walk 40 YREs and/or regular events that go through, around or by any cemetery. Log the stamp in the program booklet along with location and name of cemetery. No website to check. Only one cemetery per walk and no duplicate event stamps in the booklet. Insert cards are acceptable but no hand written entries. Upon completion, you will receive a fully embroidered 12 color patch. Cost, as prescribed by the NEC, is $10. For booklet, send check made out to TSWVA to: Dennis Michele, 27 Cane Creek Circle, Fairview, NC 28730, dmichblue@aol.com 828-628-4343. 

 

Courthouses
January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009. Because there are so many walks that could qualify for this program, this program will not be monitored, it will be done using the honesty of the walker. Year Round Walks, as well as regular one day or weekend walks may qualify for this event. Participants must complete thirty walks that include a city, county, state, federal or historic courthouse to finish this program. Some states call them different names, if a court is held in that building that event will qualify. Upon completion of this event, the participant will be awarded a 3-1/4" X 3-3/4" 100% multi-colored embroidered iron on patch. Event books are $10.00 each and may be ordered by sending your check to: East Texas Trekkers, PO Box 7042, Tyler, TX. 75711. Attention: Walking Courthouses in the USA. Direct questions to Jan Wood, email  jpw6391@msn.com or 903-534-9301. 

 

Covered Bridges
Runs January 1, 2007  through December 31, 2011. Cost is $10. Criteria: An embroidered special patch will be awarded upon completion of 12 sanctioned AVA or CVF/FVC walks which pass within sight of or through a covered bridge. Covered bridges are defined as authentic structures originally constructed for motorized vehicular traffic, or two-legged and four-legged traffic. Mail checks payable to: Liberty Bell Wanderers/Sharon Smetzer, 1943 Pine Court, Hellertown, PA 18055-2804. Contact Sharon at (610)838-7447 or email lbwanderers@aol.com  Any person that participates in and pays the regular AVA or CVF/FCV event fee is eligible to record the walk in their Historic Covered Bridge book. 

 

Europe in the United States
January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009. Book sales end December 31, 2008. Complete 20 events anywhere in the United States where an event city is also located in Europe. A list of year round events will be available with paid registration. However, these will not be the only events that may qualify for this award. Send $8.00 payable to: East Texas Trekkers, PO Box 7042, Tyler, TX 75711. Direct questions to Jan Wood, (903)534-9301, email jpw6391@msn.com 

 

Firehouses
Begins January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. Sponsored by Kitsap Volkssporters. This exciting program promises to be an educational event for all ages.  Firefighters have always been some of America's favorite heroes! Event books are available for $10 from POC, Carol Grassman, 7701 Broadleaf Court, Bremerton, WA 98311. Questions can be directed tograndmac15@aol.com

 

Forts of the United States
The program shall begin January 1, 2010, and end December 31, 2012. This program is not retroactive. All walks must be stamped in the record book using the IVV event stamp. No handwritten entries. Any person that participates in and pays the regular AVA event fee is eligible to record the walk in their Forts book. Each event may be included only once. upon completion, a full-color embroidered patch will be issued. Books will go on sale December 1, 2009. Send check in the amount of ten dollars $10 made payable to TWC-Forts to the POC: Teresa Arnold, 1001 E. Tacoma Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Phone 918-355-5820 Email arnoldtea@hotmail.com 

 

Great Lakes
Runs through December 31, 2010. Walk 10 walks along Great Lakes shores. Only part of the trail needs to be on the shore. Also, the walker must walk an event at three different Great Lakes. A 4" x 2-1/2" patch will be presented after 10 events. Program cost $8 for an approved booklet.  Send check payable to: Chelane Piller, President GLA, 108 W Columbia St, Mason, MI, 48854-1117. Point of Contact, Chelane Piller, (517)525-0906 or email chelanep@sbcglobal.net  Click on "Great Lakes" title above for a list of Great Lakes walk events.  

 

Hillside Letters
Runs January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2012. Qualifications require 12 different sanctioned events. Giant capital letters adorn the hillsides near many towns and cities in the mid-west & western US States. There are about 400 such communities where the letters exist. Criteria is a sanctioned event that goes as close as possible or within sight of an authentic "Hillside Letter". Program cost is $10. Point of Contact: Beth Hendricks, The Black Hills Volkssport Association, 1031 Park Hill Drive, Rapid City, SD 57701. Email walkusa@rushmore.com

 

Historic Churches 

Begins January 1, 2009 and ends December 31, 2011.  To qualify for this program you will need to complete 15 sanctioned walks and a club would have to determine whether a place of worship (church, mission, synagogue, etc.) has historic significance.  It is not a requirement that churches be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, however, the following web site will help you gather information on any churches that are listed. See http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com and http://www.nps.gov/nr  Send check for $10 payable to GVA. Mail to Point of Contact: Kay Collie, Germanna Volkssport Association., P.O. Box 7674, Fredericksburg, VA 22404. Contact Kay at sydnakay@yahoo.com for more information. 

 

Honoring Law Enforcement  

Runs from January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2012. Qualification are to walk in 24 events that passes a building historically or currently functioning as a city, county, sate or federal jail or prison or which houses a law enforcement body such as City Police, Sheriff, State Patrol, Texas Rangers, Border Patrol, etc. would qualify. Cost of program is $10. Point of Contact: Carol Grassman, 7701 Broadleaf Ct., Bremerton, WA 98311. Make check payable to "Kitsap Volkssporters", email grandmac15@aol.com 

 

Hooray for Hollywood

Begins July 1, 2009 and ends June 30, 2012. If you love the movies, you'll welcome the premier of this special program. Fill the "Hooray for Hollywood" booklet with 20 AVA walk stamps from qualifying walks that you've completed. To qualify, a walk has to go by a movie star's home or grave, a major motion picture studio or anyplace that was a filming location in a major motion picture. Order booklet online from the Foot Sore Fiends website link above for $10, or email Becky Forsythe, PO Box 3071, Battle Ground, WA 98604 for more information on ordering  rgforsythe@usa.net  Receive a patch upon completion at no additional cost.

 

Islands
Book sales through December 31, 2010. Awards available long after that! Qualifications are to walk 20 scheduled or Year Round events. Qualifying events must be at least partially routed on a named island. The island can be in a river, lake or salt water. Land masses recognized as once being an island and still named island also qualify. Participating stamp may be entered only once per calendar year. Participants receive a multi-colored patch, certificate and hatpin. This program is not retroactive. Point of Contact, Helen Neher, email close2u@fidalgo.net  To obtain program book send $10.00 to: NW Tulip Trekkers, Islands Program, PO Box 1603, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273-1603.   

 

Liberty Bell
July 4, 2009 through July 4, 2012. Complete 15 different events. The trail must pass the bell if it is displayed out-of-doors or pass the location where it is housed.  A list of events will be available with registration by state and additional information will be posted on the Program page as more events are confirmed.  No event may be stamped more than once. This program is not retroactive. Cost of program for book and award is $10. Point of Contact, Nancy Stenger, Heartland Walkers, 1617 Morningside Drive, Hastings, NE 68901-2942, email walkvirginia@erols.com 

 

Museums 

Runs January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011.  Criteria: Complete 25 events anywhere in the United States that passes directly by a museum.  A museum is defined as a building, place or institution devoted to the acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition and educational interpretation of objects having scientific, historical, or artistic value and/or a building or location that has a name or sign that includes the word "museum".  Each museum may only be used once, however; an event that may have 2 or more museums may be used, provided the event is walked on a different date for each stamp.  We encourage you to visit these fine institutions, they have a wealth of knowledge to enlighten you, however; it is not necessary to qualify.  The cost of the program will be $10.00 per booklet and all participants will receive a colorfully embroidered patch upon completion of the program.  Make checks payable to Penn Dutch Pacers.  Mail to Point of Contact:  Robert Coonney, 453 Fort Ross Avenue, Lititz, PA 17543-2414. Direct any questions to Robert Coonney, email rdcwalk@ptd.net   Current walk information can be found on the Penn Dutch Pacers website: http://www.penndutchpacers.org

 

Native American Culture
June 1, 2007 through December 31, 2010. Walk in 25 scheduled or YREs. Participant must walk through a community with the name of a particular native American or tribe; walk by a body of water, battlefield, park, museum or pass by a statue, home or burial site. Qualifications are to walk in 25 scheduled or YRE's. Street names, advertisements, casinos, school mascots, do not qualify. No write-ins. Cost of program is $10. A 4"x3" rectangular embroidered patch award will be given to all those finishing the program. This program is not retroactive. To obtain program book send $10 to: Holy Family Walkers, 1714 NW 49th St, Lawton, OK 73505-3241. Point of Contact, Sharon Snyder, (580)357-2938, email walkingfan@aol.com 

 

Pony Express Program
Started in 2006, ends December 31, 2010. Sponsored by Yakima Valley Sun Striders in Yakima, WA. Walk one event in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California -- the route of the Pony Express. Cost of the program is $10. A 4" embroidered Pony Express patch and hatpin will be awarded upon completion. For more information contact Millie Haupt, Yakima Valley Sun Striders, 2510 S. 52nd Ave., Yakima, WA 98903, email m.haupt@charter.net  

 

Railroad Heritage
Web link under construction. Started January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010. Cost is $8. Criteria: A sanctioned AVA walk, bike or ski event if the event trail follows, at some point, a former rail bed. This includes rails-to-trails as well as abandoned railroad tracks that are now legally used for recreational purposes. This program does not encourage or endorse any activity that results in trespassing along active railroads or railroad properties. The event passes a railroad station, either formerly or currently used for passenger and/or freight service. Participants may turn in books with 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 stamps. Point of Contact, Lorraine C. Weaver, 22222 Chesapeake Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Email RRandRW@yahoo.com

 

Riverwalk America
Web link under construction. Started January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010. Program rules include a sanctioned AVA walk, bike or ski event if the trail passes by or crosses over a river. A river is defined as a flowing body of water whose name ends in the word River. A trail passes by a river if you can sight the river as you walk the trail. Levels: 5 events, Rafter; 10 events, Rowboat Captain; 15 events, Paddlewheel Captain; and 20 events, Steamboat Captain. Cost $8. Point of Contact, Lorraine C. Weaver, 22222 Chesapeake Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650.  Email RRandRW@yahoo.com

 

States / Capitals
Earn special recognition! Complete an AVA walk in all 50 states or in all 50 state capitals and Washington, D.C.  The basic state or capital program earns a certificate. The optional Deluxe Package ($25.00) includes a state or capital certificate, a large patch, and a patriotic T-shirt.  Order your "Walking the United States" record book directly from AVA Headquarters, Attn: Connie Runkel, 1001 Pat Booker Rd., Suite 101, Universal City, TX 78148-4147. Email connie@ava.org  Books are $5.00 each and a separate book is required for each program -- order two books if participating in both programs.

 

State Parks
January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009. We recommend that you walk only one event in each state park. Upon completion, participants will be awarded a 4" multi-colored square patch. This special program will promote walking in state parks throughout the United States. Because there are so many walks that could qualify for this program, this program will not be monitored. It will be done using the honesty of the walker. Year round walks, as well as regular one day or weekend walks may qualify for this event. Participants must complete thirty walks in a State Park with no repeat walks in any State Park throughout this Special Program. This program does not include state forests, state historic sites, etc. It only includes state parks. Upon Completion of this event, the participant will be awarded a four inch multi-colored, one-hundred percent embroidered iron on patch . Event books are $10.00 each and may be ordered by mailing checks to: East Texas Trekkers, PO Box 7042, Tyler, TX 75711. Attention: Walking State Parks Program. Direct questions to Jan Wood, jpw6391@msn.com or 903-534-9301. 

 

US Presidents
Program ended July 4, 2009. Books will be redeemed as long as patches are available through December 31, 2009. Complete 15 events anywhere in the United States where an event or activity occurred in relation to United States Presidents, e.g., library, home, birthplace or final resting place. No event may be walked more than once. This program is not retroactive. Point of Contact, Nancy Stenger, Heartland Walkers, 1617 Morningside Drive, Hastings, NE 68901-2942, email walkvirginia@erols.com 

 

Veteran Memorials

January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. Books go on sale starting December 1, 2008. To qualify for 4"x4" square 100% embroidered patch you must walk by 30 YRE or scheduled events that pass a veterans statue/memorial/monument. Stamps for Veteran Memorials in Canada are acceptable. Please click on link for details. Send $10 to Holy Family Walkers, 1714 NW 49th Street, Lawton, OK 73505-3241. Contact Sharon L. Snyder, (580) 357-2930, email walkingfan@aol.com or Debra Leffler, (580) 355-6949, email debra6949@sbcglobal.net

Walking the USA, A - Z Event

Walk 26 cities - A to Z. For example walk in Albany for A, Zanesville for Z, etc. The program will continue indefinitely as long as there is interest. Mail payment of $8 to purchase an event book. Once you have completed the event book you qualify to receive a beautiful patch. Note: X is a wildcard and can be a walk at any event that is not already marked for the program. Xenia is still an option. Make a copy of your book prior to mailing the original to AVA Headquarters, Attn: A-Z Program, 1001 Pat Booker Road, Suite 101, Universal City, TX 78148-4147.  Direct questions to connie@ava.org   

Waterfalls

January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. Walk 12 AVA sanctioned events that include the sighting of a natural waterfall qualifies for this program. Natural waterfalls do not include man-made spillways, dams or fountains. There must be 12 different events, which can not be repeated, but not necessarily 12 different waterfalls. Participants receive a multi-colored patch and certificate of achievement. Sponsored by the Finger Lakes Region Volkssport Club. The Walkin' Waterfalls event book is $10. Make checks payable to: FLRVC. Point of Contact, Colleen Hailey, 413 Rayelene Drive, Vestal, NY 13850. Email chailey@binghamton.edu 

American Volkssport Association
1001 Pat Booker Road, Suite 101
Universal City, TX 78148