KEEPING A RECORD OF YOUR WALKS
The backbone of volkssporting is its awards system - "walking for credit."
Everyone knows a good walk is its own reward, but let's say you feel like being further rewarded for your effort. The IVV developed a system of record-keeping whereby you keep track of the number of events you walked as well as the distances you have walked.
There are two record books for walking - an EVENT book and a DISTANCE book. Every time you complete an event, your event book is stamped with the "sanction number" for that event. Likewise, your distance book is stamped, and the number of kilometers completed is noted in the margin. When either or both of your books are full, you
mail them to the AVA headquarters, and you will receive by return mail a small hatpin, a patch, and a certificate of accomplishment - all recognized worldwide as IVV participation awards. At each level of achievement, your name appears in the American Wanderer, the bi-monthly magazine for walkers published by the AVA.
The record books normally cost $5 a piece. Your first set of books record your first 10 events and your first 500 kilometers. At your own pace, you will fill up subsequent books and receive a set of awards for each level achieved. New walkers can get BOTH books for $5 - just ask for a "New Walker Packet" at the next event you attend. Record books are also available at all volkssporting events. Also just in case you forget your books, insert cards are available that you can use to add to your books when you get home.
Everyone is welcome to do our walks for free, but if you are serious about the full rewards of fun, fitness, and fellowship, you'll want to start "walking for credit"
