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States/51 Capitals Programs
Special event books listing all the
states/capitals are sold through AVA for $5 each. Basic package earns a certificate; deluxe package
($25) earns a certificate, patch and t-shirt. Order you book/books or send your completed books to
AVA Headquarters, Attn: Connie Runkel, 1001 Pat Booker Rd., Suite 101, Universal City, TX
78148-4147. Email connie@ava.org Walk our land and achieve the goal
of walking in each state and/or each state capital.
American Authors & Literary Landmarks Program
Walk and Read All About It!
July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2011. Only 15 events are needed to complete volume one. Any AVA
sanctioned trail that features the following: places you read about in a book, cemetery where an
author is buried, house where an author lived or wrote, etc. If you find the connection then it
counts. Event stamp can only be entered once with a plus and once without per year. Cost of the
program book and commemorative 3.75" x 4" patch is $10. For information or to order a
book contact: Patty Proulx, PO Box 133, Jaffrey, NH 03452 or email jeffpattyproulx@copper.net If you love to read then this AVA
special program sponsored
by the Granite State Trail Walkers will be one of your favorites, like a book
you pick up and can't put down until you finish!
American Revolution Program
Book sales
ended March 31, 2008. Walk 15
sanctioned walks from April 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008 and earn a patch. Qualified walks go by a
site of significance to the Revolution such as battlefields, encampments and fortifications.
Complete a second book of 15 walks and get a "30 Walks" pin. The list of qualified walks
is available, just click on the link above. For more information please
contact Barbara Kolapakka, Point of Contact, American Revolution Walks, 7 Cassidy Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
America's Artistic
Heritage Program
Runs January 1, 2009
through 2011. Cost is $10. Criteria: Participate in 25 different sanctioned events where the route
passes an active or historic community theatre, opera house or fine arts museum; previous or
current home of an organized ensemble; site of historic, annual or pivotal art fair or musical
"happening" or festival; designated or named artistic arena/venue; or home/statue of an
American composer, playwright or performing artist. If you find the connection, it counts. Point of
Contact, Lois Head, Central Minnesota Volkssports, PO Box 2162 St. Cloud, MN 56301-2162. Email lmhead@stcloudstate.edu or phone (320)252-7348.
America's Historic Churches
Program Begins
January 1, 2009. To qualify for this program you will need to complete 15 sanctioned walks
and a club would have to determine whether a
place of worship (church, mission, synagogue, etc.) has historic significance. Buildings should be
at least 75 years old. (The reason for the 75 years and not 100 is there are churches in Alaska,
for example, that are historic, but not yet 100 years old.) Also, structures which were once
churches, but are now used for some other purpose (such as a museum, library or school), may also
be used. The history of the church may be from colonial times, such as The Old North Church in
Boston, or Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, can have national significance such as The
National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., or can have local significance, such as Fredericksburg
Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg, VA, where Clara Barton treated wounded Civil War soldiers.
In Bennington, VT, there is the Old First Church which was built in 1805, and is considered one of
the finest church buildings in American. There is also the famous mission in San Juan Capistrano,
CA, which was dedicated in 1776. All churches mentioned above are already part of Year Round Events
in their respective states. there are numerous churches listed on the National Register of Historic
Places that will qualify for this program. Send check for $10 payable to GVA. Mail to Point of
Contact: Kay Collie, Germanna Volkssport Association., P.O. Box 7674, Fredericksburg, VA 22404. Contact Kay at sydnakay@yahoo.com
for more information. See http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com
and http://www.nps.gov/nr
California's Golden Heritage Program
No new books will be sold, but you may continue to send books in until supplies are
exhausted. Email inquiries to: the4rs@pacbell.net or pjlucero@att.net This program ended December
31, 2007.
Celebrate America's Gardens: Public Flower Gardens and Flower Festivals
Program
Runs January 1, 2009 through 2011. Criteria: Participate in 20 different
sanctioned events where the route actually utilizes the pathways of a named flower garden open to
the public. Private gardens open to the public only on specific dates can count if the regular walk
event is also scheduled on those same days. For seasonal and year-round events, the gardens must be
open to the public on all applicable days to count. Arboretums, plantations, botanical gardens and
parks containing named gardens may also be considered. Routes that include temporary display
gardens set up for the occasion of a public flower festival count only during the actual days of
the festival. Send $10 for booklet to : Lois Head, Central Minnesota Volkssports, PO Box 2162, St.
Cloud, MN 56302-2162. Point of Contact, Lois, email lmhead@stcloudstate.edu
or phone (320)252-7348.
College Campus Walk Program
Receive an
Associate Degree in Walking by walking five different sanctioned college campus events anywhere in
the USA. Additional levels are Bachelor Degree, Master's and Doctorate of Walking. Cost is $8. When
finished getting your Doctorate you may continue for a Roads Scholar. Additional cost of $8.
Extended until December 31, 2008. Book must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2009. Point
of Contact, Connie Runkel, 1001 Pat Booker Rd., Suite 101, Universal City, TX 78148-4147 or email connie@ava.org
Covered Bridges Program
Runs January 1,
2007 through 2011. Cost is $10. Criteria: An embroidered special patch will be awarded upon
completion of 12 sanctioned AVA or CVF/FVC walks which pass within sight of or through a covered
bridge. Covered bridges are defined as authentic structures originally constructed for motorized
vehicular traffic, or two-legged and four-legged traffic. Mail checks payable to: Liberty Bell
Wanderers/Sharon Smetzer, 1943 Pine Court, Hellertown, PA 18055-2804. Contact Sharon at
(610)838-7447 or email lbwanderers@aol.com Any person
that participates in and pays the regular AVA or
CVF/FCV event fee is eligible to record the walk in their Historic Covered
Bridge book.
Girl Scout Walk-Together Program
AVA clubs work with
their local Girl Scout Council to designate a walk as a "Walk Together". Those participating
and paying the credit fee may earn the current year's Girl Scout participation patch as the event's
award. Special rules allow Girl Scouts Overseas to participate. This program can be adapted for
other youth groups using other awards.
Great Lakes, Great Walks, Great Fun Program
Runs
through December 31, 2009. Walk 10 walks along Great Lakes shores. Only
part of the trail needs to be on the shore. Also, the walker must walk an event
at three different Great Lakes. A 4" x 2-1/2" patch will be presented after 10 events.
Program cost $8 for an approved booklet. Send check payable to: Jim Muma, c/o Mackinaw
Walkers Volkssport Club, 1706 Pine, Belleville, IL 62226-4259. Point of Contact, Jim Muma,
(618)234-8706 or email michiganjim@sbcglobal.net
The above link will have a list of walks for this program.
Islands Program
June 1, 2007 through December 31, 2010. Qualifications are to walk 20 scheduled or
Year Round events. Qualifying events must be
at least partially routed on a named island. The island can be in a river, lake
or salt water. Land masses recognized as once being an island and will named
island also qualify. Participating stamp may be entered only once per calendar
year. Participants receive a multi-colored patch, certificate and hatpin. Cost
of program is $10.00. This program is not retroactive. To obtain program book:
NW Tulip Trekkers, PO Box 1084, Anacortes, WA 98221. Point of Contact, Helen Neher. cmmyron@earthlink.net
Liberty Bell
Program
July 4, 2009
through July 4, 2012. Complete 15 different events. The
trail must pass the bell if it is displayed out-of-doors or pass the location where it is housed. A list of events will be available with registration by
state and additional information will be posted on the Program page as more events are confirmed. No
event may be stamped more than once. This program is not retroactive. Cost of program for book and award is $10.
Point of Contact, Nancy Stenger, All American Walking Club, 14402 William Carr Lane, Centreville,
VA 20120-2813, email walkvirginia@erols.com
Lighthouses
USA Program
Lighthouses USA special event sponsored by Princeton Area Walkers.
Walk 12 different lighthouse events between June 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008 to qualify for an
award patch. Cost of the program is $8. An award will be presented upon completion of the program.
This program is not retroactive. Point of Contact, Teri Morosco, 12 Annapolis Drive, Hazlet, NJ
07730 email temwalks@comcast.net Any
sanctioned AVA event in the USA that allows the sighting of a lighthouse
qualifies for this program. 12 stamps will earn a certificate and impressive
patch.
Master Program
Teams of youth and
adults participate together in 12 sanctioned AVA events during a twelve month period to earn Master
Program awards. Any "team" of at least one youth, capable of participating under their
own power, and an adult, may participate. Ideal for families and youth groups.
Museum Walk America
Program
Runs January 1, 2009 through
December 31, 2011. Criteria: Complete 25 events anywhere in the United States that pases
directly by a museum. A museum is defined as a building, place or institution devoted to the
acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition and educational interpretation of objects having
scientific, historical, or artistic value and/or a building or location that has a name or sign
that includes the word "museum". Each museum may only be used once, however; an
event that may have 2 or more museums may be used, provided the event is walked on a different date
for each stamp. We encourage you to visit these fine institutions, they have a wealth of
knowledge to enlighten you, however; it is not necessary to qualify. The cost of the program
will be $10.00 per booklet and all participants will receive a colorfully embroidered patch upon
completion of the program. Make checks payable to Penn Dutch Pacers. Mail to Point of
Contact: Robert Coonney, 453 Fort Ross Avenue, Lititz, PA 17543-2414. Direct any questions to
Robert Coonney, email rdcwalk@ptd.net
. Current walk information can be found on the Penn Dutch Pacers website: http://www.penndutchpacers.org
Multi-Event
Calendar
Listings of the top walking weekends in the
USA Native American Culture Program
June 1, 2007 through December
31, 2010. Walk in 25 scheduled or YREs. Participant must walk through a community with the name of
a particular native American or tribe; walk by a body of water, battlefield, park, museum or pass
by a statue, home or burial site. Qualifications are to
walk in 25 scheduled or YRE's. Participant must walk through a community with
the name of a particular Native American or tribe; walk by a body of water,
battlefield, park, museum or pass a statue, home or burial site. Street names,
advertisements, casinos, school mascots, do not qualify. No write-ins. Cost of
program is $10. A 4"x3" rectangular embroidered patch award will be given to
all those finishing the program. This program is not retroactive. To obtain
program book send $10 to: Holy Family Walkers, 1714 NW 49th St, Lawton, OK 73505-3241. Point of
Contact, Sharon Snyder, (580)357-2938, email walkingfan@aol.com
New Walker
Program
Get started on the right foot once you find a club and
events near you!
Pony Express Program
Started in 2006, ends 2010. Sponsored by
Yakima Valley Sun Striders in Yakima, WA. Walk one event in Missouri,
Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California -- the route of
the Pony Express. Cost of the program is $10. A 4" embroidered Pony
Express patch and hatpin will be awarded upon completion. For more information
contact Millie Haupt, Yakima Valley Sun Striders, 2510 S. 52nd Ave., Yakima,
WA 98903, email m.haupt@charter.net
RailRoad Heritage Program
Web
link under construction. Started January 1,
2006 through December 31, 2010. Cost is $8. Criteria: A sanctioned AVA walk, bike or
ski event if the event trail follows, at some point, a former rail bed. This
includes rails-to-trails as well as abandoned railroad tracks that are now
legally used for recreational purposes. This program does not encourage or
endorse any activity that results in trespassing along active railroads or
railroad properties. The event passes a railroad station, either formerly or
currently used for passenger and/or freight service. Participants may turn in books with 5, 10,
15, 20 or 25 stamps. Point of Contact, Lorraine C. Weaver, 22222 Chesapeake Lane, Leonardtown, MD
20650. Email RRandRW@yahoo.com
RiverWalk American
Program
Web link under construction. Started
January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010. Program rules include a sanctioned AVA walk, bike or ski event if the trail
passes by or crosses over a river. A river is defined as a flowing body of
water whose name ends in the word River. A trail passes by a river if you can
sight the river as you walk the trail. Levels: 5 events, Rafter; 10 events, Rowboat
Captain; 15 events, Paddlewheel Captain; and 20 events, Steamboat Captain. Cost $8. Point of
Contact, Lorraine C. Weaver, 22222 Chesapeake Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Email RRandRW@yahoo.com
Spirit of Walking Cemetery Stroll Program
We've extended the program for
another year! Learn historic facts
about people who lived and died in the location in which you are walking. Enjoy
the peacefulness and quiet of their final resting place. Join the Spirit of
Walking Program now. From July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2010. Walk 40 YREs
and/or regular events that go through, around or by any cemetery. Log the stamp
in the program booklet along with location and name of cemetery. No website to
check. Only one cemetery per walk and no duplicate event stamps in the booklet.
Insert cards are acceptable but no hand written entries. Upon completion, you
will receive a fully embroidered 12 color patch. Cost, as prescribed by the
NEC, is $10. For booklet, send check made out to TSWVA to: Dennis Michele, 27
Cane Creek Circle, Fairview, NC 28730, dmichblue@aol.com 828-628-4343.
US Presidents Program
July 4, 2004 through
July 4, 2009. Complete 15 events
anywhere in the United States where an event or activity occurred in relation
to United States Presidents, e.g., library, home, birthplace or final resting place. No event
may be walked more than once. This program is retroactive. Cost of program for book and award is
$10. Point of Contact, Nancy Stenger, All American Walking Club, 14402 William Carr Lane,
Centreville, VA 20120-2813, email walkvirginia@erols.com
Veteran Memorials Program
January 1, 2009
through December 31, 2011. Books go on sale starting December 1, 2008. To qualify for 4'x4" square 100% embroidered patch you must walk by
30 YRE or scheduled events that pass a veterans statue/memorial/monument. Please click on link for
details. Send $10 to Holy Family Walkers, 1714 NW 49th Street, Lawton, OK 73505-3241. Contact
Sharon L. Snyder, (580) 357-2930, email walkingfan@aol.com
or Debra Leffler, (580) 355-6949, email debra6949@sbcglobal.net
Walking America's Fire Houses Program
Begins January 1, 2009
through December 31, 2011. Sponsored by Kitsap Volkssporters. This exciting program promises to be
an educational event for all ages. Firefighters have always been some of America's favorite
heroes! Event books are available for $10 from POC, Carol Grassman, 7701 Broadleaf Court,
Bremerton, WA 98311. Questions can be directed to grandmac15@aol.com
Walking Courthouses in the USA Program
January
1, 2007 through December 31, 2009.
Because there are so many walks that could qualify for this program, this
program will not be monitored, it will be done using the honesty of the walker.
Year Round Walks, as well as regular one day or weekend walks may qualify for
this event. Participants must complete thirty walks that include a city,
county, state, federal or historic courthouse to finish this program. Some states call them
different names, if a court is held in that building that event will qualify. Upon
completion of this event, the participant will be awarded a 3-1/4" X 3-3/4"
100% multi-colored embroidered iron on patch. Event books
are $10.00 each and may be ordered by sending your check to: East Texas
Trekkers, PO Box 7042, Tyler, TX. 75711. Attention: Walking Courthouses in
the USA. Direct questions to Jan Wood, email jpw6391@msn.com or
903-534-9301.
Walking Europe in the United States Program
January
1, 2005 through December 31, 2009. Book sales end December 31, 2008. Complete 20
events anywhere in the United States where an event city is also located in Europe. A list of
year round events will be available with paid registration. However, these will not be the only
events that may qualify for this award. Send $8.00 payable to: East Texas Trekkers, PO Box 7042,
Tyler, TX 75711. Direct questions to Jan Wood, (903)534-9301, email jpw6391@msn.com
Walking State Parks in the USA Program
January
1, 2007 through December 31, 2009. We recommend that you walk only one event in each state park.
Upon completion, participants will be awarded a 4" multi-colored square patch. This special
program
will promote walking in state parks throughout the United States. Because there
are so many walks that could qualify for this program, this program will not be
monitored. It will be done using the honesty of the walker. Year round walks,
as well as regular one day or weekend walks may qualify for this event.
Participants must complete thirty walks in a State Park with no repeat walks in
any State Park throughout this Special Program. This program does not include sate forests,
state historic sites, etc. It only includes state parks. Upon
Completion of this event, the participant will be awarded a four inch
multi-colored, one-hundred percent embroidered iron on patch . Event books are
$10.00 each and may be ordered by mailing checks to: East Texas Trekkers, PO
Box 7042, Tyler, TX 75711. Attention: Walking State Parks Program. Direct questions to Jan Wood, jpw6391@msn.com or
903-534-9301.
Walking the USA
A - Z Program
This program challenges
you to complete 26 walks, anywhere in the USA, to earn this special award. Each
event's start location/town must begin with a different letter of the alphabet
(example: Washington, DC counts as a "W" walk). This program will continue as long as there is interest. In the event
the program does end, participants will have one year
to finish their books. Notification will appear on this web page and in The
American Wanderer. When you mail your completed book in, you receive a beautiful patch. Mail
payment of $8 for A-Z booklet to: Becky Adams, 4128 Kinsey Road, Englewood, OH 45322.
Walkin' Waterfalls Program
January 1, 2009
through December 31, 2011. Walk 12 AVA sanctioned events that include the sighting of a natural
waterfall qualifies for this program. Natural waterfalls do not include man-made spillways, dams or
fountains. there must be 12 different events, which can not be repeated, but not necessarily 12
different waterfalls. Participants receive a multi-colored patch and certificate of achievement.
Sponsored by the Finger Lakes Region Volkssport Club. The Walkin' Waterfalls event book is $10, on
sale starting October, 2008. Make checks payable to: FLRVC. Point of Contact, Colleen Hailey, 413
Rayelene Drive, Vestal, NY 13850.
Youth Programs
Team up and walk with a
child or youth and your team will earn a special award. Also more on the
collaboration between the AVA and the Girl Scouts of the USA.
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