Keystone State Volkssport Association
PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY
In Pennsylvania, Volkssporting began with the founding of the Lebanon Baloney Stompers in 1981. There are now a number of clubs in most regions of the state. The Keystone State Volkssport Association (KSVA) is our state representative to the American Volkssport Association, our national organization.
VOLKSSPORTING IN PENNSYLVANIA
Keystone State clubs have sponsored a wide variety of volkssporting events.
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The LIBERTY BELL WANDERERS have taken us to Philadelphia, passing Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell from which their club takes its name.
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We walked at Valley Forge with the VALLEY FORGE TROOPERS and imagined the Prussian General von Steuben turning the rag-tag colonials into a disciplined fighting force.
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The PENN DUTCH PACERS hosted us in Lancaster, the capital of the U.S. - for a day - and the home of James Buchanan, the only PA President of the United States.
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The CUMBERLAND VALLEY LEAD FOOTERS saw us through Chambersburg, and we thought what it had been like when Confederate General Jubal Early ordered the town burned because its people would not pay ransom for their city.
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The ALTOONA-JOHNSTOWN SUMMIT STRIDERS, to commemorate the tragic flood of 1889 which swept through their city, held a five walk event in 1989, giving you a complete history lesson of that sad event.
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The YORK WHITE ROSE WANDERERS took us through historic York, site of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation. Because of this meeting of the Continental Congress, and the resulting business, York claims to be the first legal capital of the U.S.
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The WEST PENN WALKERS have invited us to revisit the trail of Pennsylvania's first volksmarch in Ligonier.
Other walks and bikes have centered around specific events.
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The LEBANON BALONEY STOMPERS walk to remember our military members, especially the MIA's from the Vietnam conflict.
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One of the largest annual events is the SUSQUEHANNA ROVERS' Thanksgiving weekend walks in Hershey, with the joys of chocolate and the delights of Candy Lane so beloved by children of all ages.
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The SAINT CYRIL ACADEMY CLUB hiked us through Montour Preserve and challenged us in the rugged scenery at Ricketts Glen.
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The NITTANY NOMADS are proud to show off the Penn State campus and State College; also historic Boalsburg and Bellefonte.
Pennsylvania abounds in parks and forest preserves. One can enjoy the beauty and serenity of Brandywine, the forest trails of Pine Grove Furnace, Little Buffalo and French Creek, and sections of the Appalachian Trail. Walkers and bikers have enjoyed the quiet country roads of Lancaster County where it is commonplace to see the Old Order Amish going about their simple lifestyle in distinctive garb.
Our walks can vary from the easiest level "1" rating in cities with plenty of interesting shops, stores and places to eat and linger, to rugged level "4" or "5" walks which include hills and more difficult hiking terrain.