Welcome to the world of Volkssporting! The word Volkssport comes from a German term that literally means "sport of the people." Volkssporting is participating in non-competitive events hosted by local, non-profit clubs. The Interlaken Trailblazers Volkssport Club sponsors walking and bicycling events. The walks tend to be 10km (6.2 miles) or slightly longer and the bike events are 25km. A 10km walk typically takes at least 2 hours to complete.

The Interlaken Trailblazers Volkssporting Club is based in the state of Washington and is affiliated with the Evergreen State Volkssporting Association (ESVA) under the American Volkssport Association (AVA), who are in turn under a much larger international organization, the International Federation of People's Sports (IVV). A list of upcoming national events is online at http://www.ava.org/cal.htm. A list of clubs across the country can be found at http://www.ava.org/clubs/avaclub.htm.

The public are welcome to come and enjoy these events - they are held to encourage health, fitness, and fun. Most of the events are offered for free or under $3, or you can get a patch, medal or other award for a small fee, usually $4-$7. If you discover there are lots of these events in your local area and you want to take it up as a way to walk often, on marked trails that other walkers have selected for their scenic interest, then you should get a New Walkers Packet for $5 at any event. They are also sold online for $6.00, see http://www.ava.org/newwalk.htm. In the packet you have the IVV Record Books. Each time you walk, you can have your books stamped by paying the credit fee of $3 or buying the award for that day's event. When you have achieved milestones such as 10 events, 30 events, 500 kilometers, etc. you send them in to redeem them for a patch, hatpin and certificate. It is a good way to track your progress, and to contribute to the clubs. Meanwhile, you are also welcome to JOIN a local club (like the Interlaken Trailblazers). It isn't required - you can walk forever and never join. But we do encourage it as a way to meet other walkers.

There is a national publication, The American Wanderer, which lists all of the clubs and events and has lots of articles about walkers and walking, every two months. See http://www.ava.org/vajoin.htm for the Volkssport Associates program - join and you get The American Wanderer. Some areas have their own local volkssport publication - Oregon, Washington, California, Ohio, the Atlantic Region. At volkssport walking events, you go your own pace, they are untimed. You can walk as fast or slow as you want, run if you want. You can walk alone or wait for a group to tag along with. With marked trails and long start times (usually you can start anytime in a 4 hour period), you aren't in a giant clump of walkers like at a charity walking event.

Washington State is a wonderful place to walk and explore. The Evergreen State Volkssport Association (ESVA) is the place to go to learn about other walks and events happening in the state. Come walk with us!