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Welcome
To Volkswalking
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Frequently
Asked Questions |
Just
what is "Volkswalking"?
Volkswalking comes
from the German term"Volksmarch" that literally
means "a people's walk." It's a noncompetitive outdoor
walk, usually 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) through a scenic,
historic, or interesting area over a predetermined route.
Volkswalks provide opportunities for people to see new countryside
and landmarks, meet other people, and collect incentive awards.
It's not a contest. Anyone who completes the course is eligible
to receive an award designed for the event. This is usually
a medal or a special patch with the payment of the appropriate
fee. Everyone is a winner.
The purpose of
Volkswalking is to encourage people of all ages to participate
in the healthful hobby of hiking/walking/running on a noncompetitive
basis. This makes Volkswalking an excellent recreational activity
for the entire family.
The IVV, or International
Federation of Popular Sports, was founded by Germany,
Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein in 1968. It is the
parent organization of an ever-increasing number of affiliates
around the world. Among the largest is the AVA, the American
Volkssport Association, located in Universal City, Texas,
which oversees the events sponsored by more than 450 Volkssporting
clubs in the United States.
Brought to the
U.S. by servicemembers returning from Europe, Volkswalking
is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States. Come participate
in one of these walks, and discover for yourself why thousands
of people of all ages in this country have joined the sport
of Volkswalking.
The IVV, which
governs volkssporting, has an incentive awards program which
is separate from the medal/patch offered at each event.
You can participate
in this program simply by purchasing (for $5.00 each) record
books for events and distance, which are valid indefinitely
and are honored at any IVV sanctioned Volkssport event worldwide.
At each IVV event you complete, you are eligible to present
your IVV distance and event books at the finish point and
receive the official IVV ink stamp when you turn in your validated
start card.
The different levels
of achievement for events are: 10, 30, 50, and every 25 additional
events, and for distance: every 500 km.
The first event
book is completed when it contains 10 different IVV ink stamps;
the first distance book is completed when it contains at least
500 km. All kilometers over 500 are automatically credited
toward the next 500 km. When one book is completed, it must
be sent to the AVA National Office, who will then mail the
appropriate award, consisting of a stick pin, patch, and certificate.
The name of each person receiving an achievement award is
published in the official publication of the American
Volkssport Association, "The American Wanderer."
IVV record books are always on sale at each Volkswalk.
How do I find
out about walks?
Volkswalks are
sponsored by individual clubs. Some clubs sponsor one walk
a year; many will sponsor several. Some clubs maintain mailing
lists, but a person can always write to a club and ask to
receive information (brochures) about their scheduled walks.
A calendar of scheduled walks is published in The American
Wanderer, the official bimonthly publication of the AVA. You
may subscribe to The American Wanderer by writing to the American
Volkssport Association, Suite 101, 1001 Pat Booker Road, Universal
City, TX 78148. However, the best way to find out about walks
in your area is to participate in a Volkswalk and pick up
brochures about upcoming walks. There will always be a table
at the start area at each walk with these free brochures.
Brochures contain
a drawing of the award on the front, and the location (town)
and dates for the event. Inside the brochure will be other
important information such as start and finish times, where
to send preregistration fees, last day to preregister, description
of the course. There will also be a map or directions to the
area, and a contact person to call or write for more information,
if needed.
Do I have to be
a member to participate?
You do not have
to be a member of any Volkswalk club to participate in walks.
However, if you would like to become involved with others
who are interested in walking and in helping to plan walks,
all clubs are happy to have new members. Benefits to club
members and membership fees vary from club to club. It is
a good way to meet new people, and it is a lot of fun to work
together at a walk and participate in walks together.
How much does
it cost?
Anyone can walk
free at any Volkswalk event. However, if you want an award,
the fee is usually $6.00 or $7.00 for the patch or medal and
the IVV credit stamps in your books. The fee for the award
is usually $1.00 less if you preregister for the event. If
you want only the IVV credit stamp in your books, fees are
normally $3.00.
The award may be
an embroidered patch, and enameled, cloisonné or pewter medal
or pin, or some other item, as designed by the sponsoring
club. The brochure will describe the type and appearance of
the award.
How do I register
for a walk?
You may preregister
for a Volkswalk by sending the required fee and form to the
sponsoring club. Brochures will contain a preregistration
form and information as to the fee and cutoff date.
An advantage of
preregistering is to assure receiving the award on the day
of the walk, as awards are set aside first for those who preregister.
Walkers who register on the day of the walk will receive their
award as long as the supply lasts; others will have their
awards mailed, and award reorders can take eight to twelve
weeks.
There is no refund
if you are unable to make it to a preregistered walk. Volkswalks
are not canceled because of bad weather.
How do I get to
a Volkswalk event?
The brochure will
give directions to the start place from the nearest highway.
Look for directional signs as you near the start point. Walks
often begin at a recreational area or a park.
When do the walks
normally start?
Volkswalks usually
open between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and close between 3:00
p.m. and 4:00 p.m.. Check the times listed in the brochure
because different walks may have different hours. Take your
time and enjoy the walk and the companionship of other participants.
Walkers may walk
alone or in groups. Some Volkswalkers will walk the course
two or more times; this is allowed providing they finish before
the announced closing time. Distance credit is given for completing
the walk multiple times, but only one event credit is given
for a walk.
Generally, the
sponsoring club will place a large start sign and IVV flag
or banner at the start place to make it easily seen by approaching
motorists. The start place will include multiple tables with
signs showing registration, start point and finish point,
etc. Register if you did not preregister, then pick up your
start card. Each person walking, even free walkers, must obtain
and fill out a start card and carry it on the walk.
How will I know
where to go?
Directional signs
or bright plastic tape will be posted by the event sponsor
to designate the walk route. To be sure a walker completes
the required distance (and to keep people from getting lost),
checkpoints are set up along the course, at which all walkers
must stop and got a stamp or punch on their start cards. There
may be one to four checkpoints on a walk.
What can I expect
at the completion of the walk?
When
you arrive back at the start/finish point, you will turn in
your start card so that the event sponsor knows that you completed
the course, and you will have your IVV books stamped for credit
and receive your award, depending on the fee you paid.
Year-Round
Events
Another kind of
Volkswalk is the Year Round Event (YRE). Rather than being
a scheduled, one-time Volkswalk, this is a permanent, any
day walk. A YRE is typically available 365 days per year,
during daylight hours. The start point is usually at a local
business that has agreed to keep the self-service briefcase/box/kit.
Hours and days available will depend on the business at the
start point. Check points may also be located at a business.
The start point
kit will contain an instruction sheet describing exactly what
to do at the start and finish of your walk. Be sure to take
a start card and a directions sheet/map from the kit to guide
you along the trail which will not be marked like a scheduled
Volkswalk. YRE award patches/medals are usually $6.00 and
may be available immediately in the kit or may be mailed to
you one to three weeks after completing the walk. The award
fee includes IVV credit stamps; for IVV credit stamps only
the fee is is normally $3.00. For a YRE, the IVV event credit
can be stamped once in the first half of the year and once
in the second half of the year, but the distance credit book
can be stamped as often as you complete the YRE.
YRE walks provide
opportunities for participating in a Volkswalk at your own
convenience any day of the year. Many people walk YRE walks
regularly, providing them with healthful exercise as well
accumulating kilometer credits toward IVV awards. Vacations
can often include YREs. There are several hundred YREs now
available in the United States, with more added each year.
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