Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
Volkssports has its own language. Here are some explanations.
Traditional Events are European-style walks, conducted on one or two pre-scheduled days, often in conjunction with a community festival. The sponsoring club marks a 10 kilometer/6.2 mile trail and provides check-points along the way. It’s a wonderful group activity where you will meet all kinds of other walkers traveling the same course. Since there is no competition, you walk at your own speed. In the U.S., walks usually start between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm and must be completed by 4:00 pm. Traditional events often have a 5 kilometer route available for people new to Volkswalking or with physical limitations. Awards and hat pins are sometimes commissioned for the event.
Year-Round Events (YREs) are an American variation on the sport. These self-guided courses have a designated start point with a start box for registration and walk directions. Different host clubs handle their sites and registration materials in different ways. If you are new to Volkswalking, the best way to experience a year-round event is to go with someone from the local club. Typical year-round events start in a public place (like a hospital, hotel or bakery), where you find a registration sheet and trail map. Once you are familiar with how year-round events work, you can walk with yourself, a friend or in a group. Some events are Seasonal events rather than Year-round and are in operation only part of the year.
Walks are open to everyone and free of charge, whether or not you belong to a Volkswalking club. The International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV) supports a recognition program for walkers who choose to record the events and distances they walk. You can purchase both event and distance books at most Traditional Events or check with your local club. There are different books for varying levels of achievement. New member packets are also available and contain a set of books at a special discounted price to help get you started. Then, every time you go to an event you pay a small fee and when you have completed the event, you receive a stamp.
Snacks: Many walks do not have stores along the route. Consider talking snacks and water with you.
Restrooms: Most walks will list where restrooms are along the route.
Gear: If you are new to walking you may need to make sure that you have footwear that will support your feet over a 10 kilometer walk.
Keeping Track
An Event Book is a folded card in which you record (via stamp) the number of events you have completed. You receive one stamp per event, regardless of how many times you walk the course.
A Distance Book is also a folded card in which you record (again via stamp) the event distances you complete – in terms of kilometers walked. Even though you receive only one event credit per course, you can still accumulate distance credit by walking the same trail more than once. Once you complete your event and distance books, simply send them to the American Volkssport Association (AVA). In return, you receive a certificate, patch and pin.
Rating the Trails. Every trail (or walking course) is different. To help categorize the walks, trails are divided into a five-point rating system. Level 5 Very Difficult. Steep hills and rough terrain. Level 4 Difficult. Poorly maintained trail and substantial hills. Level 3 Moderate. Some difficult terrain or substantial hills and/or steps. Level 2 Relatively Easy. No significant difficulty with hills. May be on uneven trails. Level 1 Easy. On pavement or good trail, no significant hills.
