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| VOLKSWALING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Volkssporting - A Community and Family Event. Volkswalking started in Germany in the 1960s. An individual can walk for free or purchase IVV credit and books to track events and/or distance they walk. When the booklets are completed, they are submitted for achievement awards. The non-competitive (walking, biking, swimming and cross-country skiing) events are sponsored by individual clubs throughout the United Sates and the world. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hug Point, Oregon (c) J. Martinson, 2000 |
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| For most volkssporting clubs, the primary objective is to promote wellness, recreation and fellowship through non-competitive volkssport events. A volks (people's) walk is an organized walk along a pre-marked trail. Walks are generally 10KM (6.2 miles) and can be completed in 1 to 3 hours. Walkers can travel at their own pace, making the events an ideal recreational outing for the entire family. Often walks involve community events where participants are able to stop to visit museums, historic sites, shop or explore the community. Volkswalking is an excellent way to begin a lifelong walking and health program, wheather it is for your own walking enjoyment or simply to get out and see the community and world. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In June 1987, I ran an ad in the Oregonian newspaper, and ten people showed up at my house for the first meeting. That was the beginning of the Rose City Roamers (RCR), which is the tenth member club of the Oregon Trail State Volkssport Association (OTSVA), a member of the American Volkssport Association (AVA), and the International Volkssport Verband (IVV). Today, the RCR Club has more than 150-200 members and sponsored hundreds of events throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rose City Roamers (RCR), Portland, Oregon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Left: An early club patch I designed for the RCRs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Right: I am with club members marking a trail for the RCRs' second event that was heldt at McIver's Park, southeast of Portland, OR. Leona (yellow shirt) was our treasure and recently passed away. She is missed! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contact: Noreen Kirk, President, (503) 285-2915. Website: Earthlink | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In 1987, I participated in my first volkswalk that was held in celebration of the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. The event was at the Columbia River walkway near Gresham, OR, and sponsored by the Columbia River Volkssport Club, Portland, OR. The medal (award) was a beautiful replica of the Statue of Liberty. Enjoying the opportunity to get out and walk, exercise and see different areas, I was immediately hooked on volkswalking. Most of all, I was impressed by the smiles and great people that I met on the trails, and the club members who sponsored the events. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A year or so later, talking with Bob Stewart, we formed the Tough Trail Trompers Volkswalking Organization. Wendy Bumgarnder served as the Vice President, and after I left she served as President until the club became inactive. The TTT's sponsored more difficult, active and rugged walks throughout Oregon. I also served three terms as President of the Oregon Telephone Pioneers Volkssporting Club (OTPVC). I accepted a new position outside of USWEST, due to the downsizing of AT&T and restructuring of the Bell System and all the changes we closed the organization. Through the years, we raised more than $60,000 in profit that was donated to needy community organizations such as SIDS, Jerry Lewis Telethon, Canine Companions, the Oral Hull Blind Center and other noted organizations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most walks take you through historical areas, cities, parks and on natural trails and for me it was a wonderful learning experience. Walks are graded on a scale of 1 to 5, five being the most difficult. The Tough Trail Trompers sponsored walks in the 3 to 5 range. I was introduced to Fort Vancouver Historic Site, through a volkswalk event that had a checkpoint at the National Park Site. I started volunteering at the Park, and participating in their Living History programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To me volkswalking is not only a way to stay active, but as mentioned, it is an opportunity to see many wonderful places. Through volkswalking, I was able to travel and walk in many cities and states including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Colorado, Utah, South Dakota, North Dakota, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana. I also completed two events in British Columbia, and two 11km walks in England, and a wonderful 24km walk in the English country side. Earlier that week in Germany, I finished three 11km walks in one day with a very special German couple that I met at a walking event in Oregon. I also did a 11km walk in Denmark. In total, I have participated in more than 250 walks that has included a few 25km biking events. I know some Rose City Roamers have walked in more than 4,000 events and have participated in every state, and many countries. It is a fun way to keep in shape, see new places, and meet wonderful people. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After finishing up a volkswalk in England, I stopped at the city square where they were celebrating the cities "1100" birthday! It just happened, it was the hometown of Princess Di. I took the picture on the left of Princess Di and Prince Charles (can see only his shoulder) after they attended services in the local church and inspected the troops. Princess Di was a beautiful woman, and it was an exciting addition of my vacation to see her. In the picture, Princess Di is waving at me, saying: "John! It is so good to see you! Do hope that you had a wonderful volkswalk! And enjoy the fish and chips -- they are scrumptous!" ;o) Photo (c) J. Martinson, 1989. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| My Most Exciting Volkswalk: On July 24, 2003, during a very early morning volkswalk in Farragut State Park in Northern Idaho, I almost ran into a black bear. I was walking alone, had my radio going to ensure I did not surprise any bears--and it worked! In fact, I believe the bear was more surprised. Click for full story. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Under construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Click icons for the American Volkssporting Association, international clubs and events. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LINKS: Idaho: Treasure Valley Volksporting Club, Boise, ID Utah: Fooloose Volkswalking Club, 2936 S. Buccaneer Drive, Magna, UT 84044-1217. Contact: Carolyn Lai (801) 250-2755, E-mail: [email protected]. Gadabout Walkers, 3897 N. 1050 W., Ogden, UT 84414. Contact: Myra Tams (801) 782-9580. Email: [email protected] |
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| Pictured are copyrighted and may not be used without permission. (c) J. Martinson, 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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