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HOLLYWOOD STAR TREKKERSLos Angeles, Orange, & Ventura Counties
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WHAT'S A VOLKSMARCH? Volksmarch, literally "popular or folk walks" are organized walks usually 10 Kilometers (6.2 miles) providing exercise that contributes to physical fitness. Volksmarches began in Germany and is now an international sport involving more that 20 countries. Volksmarches started in the US in 1976 in Fredericksburg, Texas, and in 1979 the American Volkssport Association (ava.org) was recognized by the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV)(ivv-web.org). The Hollywood Star Trekkers was first organized by Steve Stone in 1987 and the first event was held in August of that year at Plummer Park in West Hollywood. The club has approximately 80 members who are scattered from Santa Maria to San Diego and has an average of 6 scheduled events per year as well as 8 year round events All Volkssporting events are non-competitive and are to encourage everyone to participate in physical activity at their own pace. For example, start time for most walking events is usually between 8:00a.m. and 12:00 noon. Finish time is usually by 3:00 p.m. Volkssporting includes people of all ages. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Some events are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Dogs on leashes with clean up are welcome on most walks. Walks are rated for difficulty from 1 to 5, with a rating of 1 being fairly flat and on paved surfaces and 5 being a trail in the mountains. To be a sanctioned event for AVA credit, the walk must be at least 10 Kilometers, but if you are able to only do a portion your are still welcome. Walks are organized by local clubs to take participants through areas of special interest. For example Hollywood Star Trekker walks go past historic homes, scenic ocean fronts, college campuses, state parks and other scenic areas in the Southern California region. and you can participate in most events without charge. Many events are scheduled for weekends, but more and more events are considered Year Round Events and arrangements have been made so that walkers can go any day of the year that the start point (usually a business) is open. Frequently, avid walkers plan their vacations to coincide with walks in several states. All walking events are free. You don't have to join a club to participate. The International and the American Volkssport Association offer optional achievement awards to those participants who wish to keep track of the number of events that they have attended and the distance that they have completed. The fee, usually $3.00, is paid at the event by participants who want to have AVA credit. Participants purchase event or distance books or both which are stamped at the end of each walk to log credit. After completing specific milestones, such as 10 events or 500 Kilometers, participants send their record books to the AVA and receive a pin, patch, and certificate without additional cost. Many walkers also collect medals, hat pins, patches or other "awards" that are designed for the specific events and are offered for sale to commemorate the event. A good way to find out about events is to join a local club. Clubs sponsor events in the area and often club members travel together to take part in events in other parts of the state. Another way to find out about events is to look at the following WEB sites: American Volkssport Association http://www.ava.org/; California Volkssport Association http://www.walkcalif.info/schedule.htm. Many of the local clubs also have WEB sites and can be found in the state and national sites. A quarterly magazine called THE Compass is published in California listing all the scheduled walks as well as the Year Round Events and other timely walking information. It's available by subscription for $12.00 and at local events. |
