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A volksmarch is a
non-competitive 3.1 mile (5 kilometer) or 6.2 mile (10 kilometer) walk. It's not a pledge walk, it's not a
race, it is a fun activity you do with a club, with your family, with your pet,
or all by yourself. Volksmarching got its name from its origins in Europe.
Today there are thousands of volkssport clubs around the world, allied in the
International Volkssport Federation, the
IVV.
 IVV logo
What do local
volkssport clubs do?
There are over 315
volkssport clubs throughout the USA, and many thousands around the world. Local
clubs host the walking events. The club members select a trail for safety,
scenic interest, historic areas, natural beauty and walkability. They then
invite everyone to come and enjoy it on a weekend or a weekday evening.
What kind of
trails?
The trails are marked or
maps provided. Trails may be in cities, towns, parks, forests, rural areas,
anywhere there is a pleasant or interesting place to walk.
Do I have to join
a club?
Clubs welcome new members,
but you don't have to join a club to enjoy the volksmarch events. All events
are open to the public. Clubs are listed
online.
What does this
cost?
Many walks are open for no
charge, or register for the event award (usually a medal or patch) to show that
you are a "winner." Medals are usually less than $7. To keep track of how you
are achieving your fitness goals, join our Individual Achievement Award Program.
Distance and Event Record Books are available for $5 each at all events. If you
register for the event award or pay the credit fee ($3.00 or less), at the
finish the event and distance you walked are entered in the Record Books. After
milestones such as 10 events, 30 events, 50 events, 500 kilometers, 1000
kilometers, etc. you redeem the Record Book for a Certificate of Achievement, a
patch and a hatpin, and your accomplishment is printed in The American
Wanderer, our national publication. See the AVA Record
Book Guide for details on redeeming the Record Books.
But of course! And it's a
great deal. You can get one at an event or from a
local club for $5 or by mail order from the AVA
(follow link above for order form)
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First event book: Good
for your first 10 events until you earn your first Achievement Award.
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First distance book:
Good for your first 500K
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Three coupons for free
credit at events: so you can go to three events for free and still get credit
(a $9 value).
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A coupon for a free
issue of The American Wanderer (TAW)
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Explanations about
volkssporting
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10% off first AVA
Specialties order.
How long do you
walk?
Most people take 2 hours to
stroll our 10K trails. Many events now have a shorter distance trail that is
perfect for beginners and should take only an hour to complete at an easy pace.
Some like to run or jog, others enjoy taking a leisurely pace and stopping to
sightsee, picnic, or even shop! You go at YOUR own pace, and you are always a
winner at the end.
What do the trail
ratings mean?
Trails are rated for
difficulty so you can more easily choose which one will suit your walking
style.
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1. An easy walk on
pavement or well-maintained trail with no significant hills. Probably suitable
for wheelchairs and strollers.
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2. A moderately easy
walk, may be on pavement or on trails. No significant difficulty with hills.
May not be suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
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3. A moderate walk in
any setting with some difficult terrain, one or two substantial hills and/or
steps. Strollers and wheelchairs questionable.
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4. A more difficult
walk. Most likely in a natural setting with poorly maintained paths and steeper
or hilly inclines. Not likely to be wheelchair or stroller accessible.
Participants with certain health problems should take caution.
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5. A very difficult
walk. All in rough fields or woods. Many steep hills or high altitude trails,
or very rough uneven terrain, steep or unstable inclines. Not suitable for any
person who is not in good health
Where do I find
out more?
To find a volkssport club or
an event near you (or at your destination if you are planning a vacation), call
or write one of the
clubs. Or
call the AVA Hotline (recorded message) 1-800-830-WALK. Events are listed by state on
the hotline.
Is there a
national membership?
To receive The American
Wanderer, plus travel discounts and special member offers, join Volkssports
Associate, our national individual associate membership program.
A Year-Round Event is a
self-guided walking event available most days of the year. The local club
selects a trail, draws maps and writes detailed walking instructions, and sets
up a permanent starting point. You arrive during the stated open hours,
register, take a map, and enjoy the trail. These events include series of state
parks in several states, great tourist attractions and national parks and good
daily exercise routes in hundreds of communities. Some are scenic, some are
historical, some are just for exercise. Call the club to find out which events
suit your interests.
Starting points: The
starting points are often hospitals, hotels, or convenience stores. At the
start point is a start box. The start box takes many forms - it may be a bureau
or kiosk, or it may be a file box or tool box. You may have to ask the proprietor to point it out or get it out. The
proprietors are often not club
members, so please be patient with these people who are volunteering to help
the club.
The Start Procedure: Inside
the start box is a registration log. Please register - you can walk for free
but we need to know who is participating in our event. Sign the log and take a
start card and trail map.
Enjoying the walk: Walk at
your own pace, enjoy the local area for as long as you desire (daytime hours
only!). If you have any difficulty with the directions provided, be sure to
write a note to the host club and put it in the start box when you return.
Finishing: At the end, turn
in your start card. If you walk for IVV Credit, stamp your books. If you do not have a book, you
may use an Insert Card until you get one. Please do not cut or past the cards. If you
registered for the award, read the instructions in the start box on how to get your book stamped -
the stamp may be in the start box, may be with the proprietor, or may be mailed,
depending on the club.
Where do I find
these Year-Round Events?
Year-Round Event Book, Starting Point. has details on
all events in the USA. The online Calendar
lists minimum details, with links to more information provided by the
clubs. For a full brochure about a trail, either follow the link or call
or write the club. Starting Point is your best bet
for getting information on all of the routes each year.
VOLKSSPORTING TERMS DEFINED
Volkssport - a noun or verb. The noun
meaning a group of "people's" sports that include walking, swimming, skiing,
swimming, snow shoeing, and biking (and occasionally roller-skating). The verb
means to participate in those sports - ex. volkssport Washington state.
Volkssporting
- a noun or verb. Same definition as above.
Volkssporter
- A person who participates in Volkssporting events.
Volksmarch - a walking event. Also
termed volkswalk. In Germany, these events were originally termed
Volkswanderung - "volkswandering." Reportedly this was difficult for American
military stationed in Germany to understand and so they started using the term
Volksmarsch. It evolved into Volksmarch in the United States. Those feeling
that the term was too foreign, coined the word - Volkswalk.
IVV - Internationaler Volkssport
Verband - This is the international parent organization which is
headquartered in Germany. Many nations have chapters. Our AVA is one of the
chapters of these "International Popular Sports Clubs." The AVA pays dues to
the IVV, we have adopted their awards program, we have a vote as a member
nation, etc. Volkssporters who travel to other countries will notice that our
Distance and Event books are the same size and color, the award patch, pin and
certificates are the same, etc.
AVA -
American Volkssport Association - This is our national
organization. Fees are paid to keep our national organization going in support
of the member clubs. The AVA heads up nation-wide programs and processes our
awards for us. Our officers are all volunteers.
IVV Awards Program - just like in
Europe, you can record the number of events you participate in and the number
of kilometers you walk, ski or bike in record books. These books, available at
most organized events for $5.00 each are the way you become involved in our international
awards program and give yourself an incentive to participate in events. When
you begin, you will want both the green book (event record) and blue book
(distance record). Normally when first starting out, sold as a New Walker Packet for only $5.00,
a great deal. As you complete certain milestones, the first distance one
is 500 K and the first event one is 10 events, you send them in to the national
office in Texas. Normally it will take about 4 weeks for processing. By return mail, you will receive a patch, pin and certificate
indicating the award that you have earned. The directions for the program are
on the books which you purchase for $5.00, additional shipping fee if you order direct from
Headquarters. You will also receive a "Record of Achievement" passbook when you send in
your first book for processing. It is used to record the event and distance milestones you have
accomplished. Once you spend $5.00 for the book, there is no additional charge
to you for the patch, pin and certificate upon completion. Each next level book you purchase
will be $5.00 plus shipping. See the
AVA Record Book Guide for more details.
Credit - This is the entry of a validation
imprint (stamp) into the event and distance record books you keep. It shows
your progress toward reaching the various levels of event and distance awards.
Everyone gets excited as a book is nearly filled up! The validation imprint
shows the event sanction number and can only be given on the day of the event.
IVV rules allow it only to be stamped in the official record books. If you
forget to bring your record books to an event, you have the choice of buying a
new book as you eventually will need one! Or if an Insert Card is available, you may use one,
however, please do not cut or paste into the official record books. See the AVA
Record Book Guide for more details.
Credit Only - When you register for an
event, either in advance by mail (pre-registration), or in person at the
Registration table, you can ask for a Free Walk (no credit or award - or cost.
Most events allow free walkers, but some charge all participants a small fee),
Credit only, or Award. Credit only means that you want the validation imprint
(event stamp) only, no award. Free means that you want neither credit nor
award. If an award is offered at the event, and you register and pay for the
award, the credit is included in the price. For example, an event may offer the
following schedule of fees:
Hatpin - Especially in the Northwest, people
enjoy collecting hatpins from the various walks they attend. These souvenirs
are not awards, and can be purchased in any quantity desired and without
participating in the event. Many events offer both an award and a hatpin.
Remember that the award must be earned. To confuse you further, please note
that some awards are actually pins.... but usually are larger than a hatpin.
Ks -
Kilometers (1 Km = .6 mile). Many people refer to walking distance
as "getting in their K's." A standard 10K event or a shorter 5K may be offered. Some
events may be longer.
A
Medal or A Award - This term was started in Germany. Most of the
awards were originally medallions. The A medal is the medal that is the award
for the current event. Awards must have the initials AVA/IVV and year affixed permanently to it.
B
Medal or B Award - This is last years or previous year's awards.
Usually you can earn these awards at a reduced price. The key to remember is
that you must earn these awards even though they are from prior events. Oddly
enough, sometimes a patch or cup is referred to as the "B-medal." This is a
remnant from the German terminology.
Start/finish - This is where the registration
and finish area of the volkssporting event is housed. When you arrive for an
event, look for the "start" or "start/finish." This is where you register for
the volkssporting event. Quite often refreshments are sold, specialties are
available and information on upcoming events is spread out on tables. It's a
great place for socializing!
Pre-registration table - Berta Wilkes in
California says that there is no hyphen in pre-registered but many seem to
spell it that way! This table is where you go if you sent in your registration
fees early. Some flyers indicate that you can register by mail. After picking
up your "start-card" or "control-card (German origin)," you go to the next
step.
Registration table - This is the table at which
you pay your credit only or award fees, pick up a "start card", put your name and address on the card and then move to the next
step.
Start number or Start table - this is
where the club numbers your card. It helps them keep track of the number of
volkssporters out on the trail. It is important for you to stop at this table
to help the club with their record-keeping and often it is the place where maps
and directions are given out. Not all events have a start table, but it is wise
to ask if there is one.
Checkpoint or Control point (German) -
These are strategically placed points along the route where you must pause to
have your startcard stamped, punched or sometimes, you need to write something
on it. This is proof that you have passed along the route. During organized
events, water and, often, sweets are offered at the checkpoint. Ideally, a
restroom is available. Recent events have had checkpoints located in coffee
shops, fast-food restaurants, etc. and so the checkpoint can be a real rest
stop! In Germany the control points often offered a selection of beers, soft
drinks, teas, hot wine, schnapps, and sandwiches. In the United States, the
food is most often available at the Start/Finish point.
Finish - this is the table where you go when
you have completed the route. If you have IVV books (which you should) you will
present your startcard, and if you have paid for credit only or for the Award,
you will get your book(s) stamped. You can only earn the stamp on the day of
the event, so if you forget your books, don't expect to come to the next event
and get them stamped! If there is an award, and if you have paid the fee, you
will be given your award at the finish table. If the awards have not yet
arrived, or the club has run out of awards, they will ask you to sign a list
with your name and address so that they can mail your award to you.
Information table - this is where you should
go after you finish the event. Brochures from upcoming events, trip ads and
specialty ads are put here for you to browse and take home.
TAW -
The American Wanderer - This is our national
volkssporting publication. It is sometimes referred to as the "TAW". It
contains event listings nation-wide, articles and pictures. You can subscribe
by becoming a "Volkssports Associate." This is a
program which supports our organization and gives you the TAW and some member
discounts.
Regional Director - In the US, groups of states
are assigned an elected volunteer Regional Director who serves as a liaison with the AVA and the clubs in his/her region and assists in guiding the AVA as
a member of the Executive Council.
Bratwurst - In Germany, refreshments and
socializing are as important to the event as the walk itself. In large tents or
"festhalles" people dine on such wonderful German foods as Bratwurst (a light
colored sausage best cooked on an outdoor grill), erbsensuppe (pea soup),
kuchen (wonderful cakes prepared by the ladies of the town), and of course
beer, wine and soft-drinks. All is usually provided as a fund-raiser for the
local town charity. Many small German towns have only one event per year. It is
a major fund-raiser and social event. In the US, we are encouraging this
festive atmosphere and many clubs offer "Wurst," or hot dogs and other
refreshments.
State
and Country Bars - No these aren't the "Honky Tonks" of
Country-Western singer's lyrics! Volkssporters like to collect and record
everything. The AVA and IVV countries sell small metal bars (about 1 inch +
long) to sell to those who have participated in volkssporting events in other
states and countries. They have two holes drilled at the top and bottom to
allow for linking them into an impressive chain of bars. To start your
collection, buy a "header pin" and your own state. Link them together
(needle-nosed pliers help) and start your travels! Shop the AVA Specialties page.
50
Staters - These are people who are in the process of or have
completed volkssporting events in all 50 US States. When you complete this
feat, it is cause for celebrating! Be sure and tell your club about it. The AVA
has a 50 states/51 Capitals Record Book to keep track
of your accomplishments and upon completion you can get a certificate and other
goodies. Shop
the AVA Merchandise Store.
County Counters - No, not a luncheonette
counter in the county office building! County counters are volkssporters who
are coloring in T-shirts or patches toward a goal of volkssporting in all the
counties of a given state.
Convention - The AVA holds a biennial
convention. Volkssporters will gather from near and far for a week of
events, education, socials and meetings. These conventions are a tremendous
amount of fun - drawing over 1,000 people. The convention will also need a
tremendous amount of volunteer time... so, get involved!! The Canadian
Volkssport Federation also holds a yearly convention.
The
Volkssport Info-Line 1-800-830-WALK Recorded information listing
events and programs nationwide. You can also ask for a convention registration
packet.
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