Where to Begin?
Buy one Start Card (die Startkarte) for each member of the family who walks, not only for the IVV credit, but also for limited insurance protection should you suffer an injury along the trail. (For the insurance coverage, you should print your name and address on each card). Carry the card with you on the trail. There are usually two types of Start Cards for sale: one is just the Start Card with IVV stamp (der Stempel) and the other also includes IVV stamp and the award ("mit Medaille").
If you are a member of a walking club (e.g.: The Ramstein Roadrunners) and that club has pre-registered, your start card will cost €3.80, for an award, IVV credit, and insurance. If you don't want the award (ohne Medaille), you pay only €1.50 and you'll receive the IVV credit and the insurance. Please support the clubs by purchasing at least a Start Card (€1.50). Remember, they have had to hire the Red Cross (hopefully they won't be needed, but they are there), pay fees to use the forest , rent the Start Hall, chairs, tables, dishes, and often entertainment, too. Around the Kaiserslautern area, the €1 additional fee for "individual walkers" (those who do not belong to a pre-registered club) is usually waived.
Sometimes there will be a separate table for American Groups (Ausländer or Gruppenmeldung) so look for the STARTKARTE signs, but also for these other signs.
Often the award will be offered only while supplies last, so if it's one you really want, you can pay for it in advance. The information is in the brochure about how to do this. Someone at the Roadrunners will be happy to help you if you need assistance.
After you buy your start card(s), look for the Werber sign. There, you will find clubs advertising IVV events coming in the next few months. Pick up their free brochures so that you can plan where to participate in the future. Most brochures include a map to help you find the town and many will offer a section of the information in English.
