Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the AVA (American Volkssports Association)?
Founded in 1979, the AVA is a non-profit, tax-exempt, national organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of health and physical fitness for people of all ages. The AVA promotes physical fitness by sponsoring, through its affiliate clubs, non-competitive sports events in safe, stress-free environments. The AVA publishes "The American Wanderer", a bimonthly newspaper for the Volksmarcher.
How many Volkssports Clubs are there?
Currently there are about 350 clubs in the United States. Every state except for a couple have at least one active club.
What types of events are held?
Most of our events are 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) walks. However, swim (300 meter), bike (25 kilometers), and cross-country skiing (10 kilometer) events are also held. Occasionally, rollerblading, ice skating, and snowshoeing events are scheduled.
What is the International Achievement Awards Program?
A great incentive for participating in volkssporting is collecting "credits" for each event and distance accomplished. The AVA offers a voluntary International Achievement Awards program for those who wish to track their progress and credit. International Record Books are available for purchase at every regular event (and at some YRE events) for $5 each. An Event book is a record for the number of events in which you participate and a Distance book is a record of actual number of kilometers walked. When you register at an AVA sanctioned event, you indicate that you are walking "For Credit" and pay a small registration fee (not more than $3.00) and a nominal fee if you want to purchase an award, which is a memento of the event. At the finish, your record books are stamped. When your books are completed, you send them to the AVA Headquarters to receive a certificate, patch and pin. You earn your first Achievement Award after 10 events and/or 500 kilometers. You may order Event and Distance books at any time through the AVA National Headquarters.
Are there any other awards for participating?
In addition to IVV credits, some clubs have special commemorative awards for their events. Listings refer to new awards for a particular event as "A Awards". "B Awards" are awards left over from previous events that you can purchase if you choose. Credit Only events mean that you can only stamp your books. There are no commemorative awards available. Some clubs also have club pins, patches and/or tee shirts available. See information at the individual start locations.
What is the New Walkers Packet?
A benefit for NEW WALKERS is our New Walker Packet. It contains your first event and distance book, a brochure explaining our program and several coupons to get you started. These are $5 and are available through our clubs or the AVA National Headquarters.
How can I tell an easy walk from a strenuous walk?
All walks are rated 1 to 5. The Trail rating system used by AVA is:
1 - Easy walk on pavement or a well-maintained trail. Usually suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
2 - A moderately easy walk on some pavement or sone woodland or open field trails. No significant difficulty with hills. Possibly not suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
3 - A moderate walk in any setting difficult terrain, substantial hills and/or steps.
4 - A more difficult walk. Most likely settings with natural paths and steep or hilly inclines.
5 - A very difficult walk on rough terrain. Steep hills and high altitude trails. Unsuitable for persons not in good health.
What are Club Group Walks?
Year-Round Events can be done whenever a participant wishes. However, many Volksmarchers like to walk as a group. Clubs designate a specific time for walking a YRE as a group. Often, a club group walk is preceeded or followed by a group lunch (optional).
What are YEAR-ROUND WALKS (YRWs)?
Unlike other VolksSports events, which are limited to one or two days with set start/finish times, a year-round volkswalk may be done any day, January 1st through December 31st. (There are also seasonal events that are available for a portion of a year.).. YRWs add two dimensions to VolksSporting. First, YRWs give locals a chance for daily exercise while accumulating distance credits. Second, YRWs allow travellers to do additional events during the week. There are 1700+ YRWs in almost 800 locations in the US and Canada. Start times are limited by the business hours of the host, which can be a restaurant, a motel, a store, and even a police station.
How many Year Round Events are there?
Currently there are about 1700 Year Round Events in the US and about 100 in Canada. There are events in all 50 of the States and in the District of Columbia.
Is there a listing of all the Year Round Events in the US?
Yes. The AVA publishes an annual listing of all Year Round Events in the US. It is called "Starting Point" and can be purchased from the clubs or directly from the AVA. Updates to the listings are published in TAW and on the AVA web site.