Special Programs |
| Special Programs are offered as special incentives to get everyone out and active. When you sign up for a Special Program, you will receive a book, much like an event or distance book, in which you record the qualifying events. Use the links below to get all the specific information for each program. If you know of a Special Program that should be listed, please email the webmaster here. Thanks. |
| Sacramento Walking Sticks Programs | ||
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| Name | Award/Book | Description |
| Sticks Walk Stick's Walks |  |
This program is for Sacramento Walking Sticks Members Only! Cost: $0 for members who walk for credit. Participate for credit in 10 Sacramento Walking Sticks events and you will receive a "Stick's Buck" (a $4 coupon good for paying credit for any Sacramento Walking Sticks event). Get yours at our next event or Membership Meeting. Runs indefinitely. You're not a member and want in on the fun? Print and complete the Membership Application form from our Membership page. Want to start walking for credit? Go to our Incentive Program page. |
| Doggie Do Walks Email: Request Pin and Book |
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This program is for Sacramento Walking Sticks Members Only! Cost: $0 for members who walk for credit. Track your doggie's walks. There is space for 30 walks. Use the email link to the left to request your doggie's book and pin. Be sure to let us know what his/her name is so we can get the pin right! Runs indefinitely. You're not a member and want in on the fun? Print and complete the Membership Application form from our Membership page. Want to start walking for credit? Go to our Incentive Program page. |
| American Volkssport Association Programs |
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 | Walking the United States (50 States/51 Capitals) |
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| Runs: | Runs indefinitely |
| Sponsor: | American Volkssport Association Special Programs Page |
| Description: | Earn special recognition! Complete an AVA walk in all 50 states or in all 50 state capitals and Washington, D.C. The basic state or capital program earns a certificate. |
| To Purchase: | Books are $5.00 each (includes shipping). A separate book is required for each program — order two books if participating in both programs. An optional Deluxe Package is available upon completion that includes a state or capital certificate, a large patch, and a patriotic T-shirt. Details are on the back of each book. Please include your mailing address and email address with your request. Order your "Walking the United States" record book directly from AVA. |
| Send Request To: | AVA Headquarters 1008 S. Alamo Street San Antonio, TX 78210 |
| Redeem by email: | karen@ava.org For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Walking America, A to Z |
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| Runs: | Runs indefinitely |
| Sponsor: | American Volkssport Association Special Programs Page |
| Description: | Walk 26 cities - A to Z. For example walk in Albany for A, Zanesville for Z, etc. The program will continue indefinitely as long as there is interest. Mail payment of $8 to purchase an event book. Once you have completed the event book you qualify to receive a beautiful patch. Note: "X" is a wildcard and can be a walk at any event that is not already marked for the program. Xenia, OH is still an option. Make a copy of your book prior to mailing the original to AVA Headquarters. |
| To Purchase: | Mail payment of $8.00 (includes shipping) to purchase an event book to AVA. |
| Send Request To: | AVA Headquarters 1008 S. Alamo Street San Antonio, TX 78210 |
| Redeem by email: | karen@ava.org For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Walk IVV Americas |
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| Runs: | Runs indefinitely |
| Sponsor: | IVV-America's |
| Description: | In 2022, the America's Walking Club joined the IVV-America's regional organization. The regional organization hosts its own special program that asks its participants to participate in 20 - IVV events anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, especially in the national associations of the AVA and the Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF). In anticipation of the association assuming the Oceania area of Australia and New Zealand, any event in those countries and the South Pacific also will count. Successful participants will earn a certificate or a certificate and a patch depending on the award that they pre-register for when they sign up. |
| To Purchase: | Participants in the United States may register by sending a check for $10 USD (certificate award only) or $12 USD (certificate and patch award) made out to "Wood and Dale Wanderers" along with the your full name, address, email, and phone number. |
| Send Request To: | Walk Special Program (IVV), c/o Walking Club PO Box 2422 Woodbridge VA 22195 |
| POC: | Tim Miner Email: timothy.miner@walkvirginia.org Phone: 703.583.2916 |
| After Completion: | Finished books will be sent to the IVV-Americas administration in Canada. Make checks payable to the "Wood and Dale Wanderers." |
| Qualifying Links: | All AVA sanctioned events qualify for the IVV-America's Special Program. |
 | Grain Elevators: Monarchs of the Plains |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2025, end: 12/31/2027, Redeem until: 12/31/2028 |
| Sponsor: | Woodland Wanderers WoodlandWanderers.org/Grain/ |
| Description: | Any sanctioned YRE, seasonal, or traditional event in the US or Canada that walks/bikes where the participant can view a grain elevator, silo, mill, grain loading facility, granary, or grain crib qualifies. Also one of the previously listed that has been repurposed or re-utitilized, qualifies. Many of these grain storage facilities are located on private property, which means we cannot easily make the route go directly past the elevator. One stamp per event per year. The Special Program booklet contains space below each stamp for additional information regarding the ownership or use of the elevator, such as a logo, company name, etc. The Special Program booklet contains room for 14 stamps. |
| To Purchase: | To purchase a Special Program booklet, send your mailing address, email address, and a check for $12 made out to "Woodland Wanderers." |
| Send Request To: | Woodland Wanderers c/o Sherry Sayers 3524 N. Cascade Avenue Lot #58 Colorado Springs, CO 80907 |
| POC: | POC: Frank Sayers, Email: grain@WoodlandWanders.org, Phone:719-640-6744 Alternate: Sherry Sayers, Email: cswc@avaclubs.org, Phone:719-640-6745 Alternate: Terri Tyler, Email: tltyler50@gmail.com, Phone:785-233-4385 |
| Redeem by email: | grain@WoodlandWanderers.org For further details on redemption by email, |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Appalachian Trail |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2018, end: 12/31/2028, Redeem until: 12/31/2029 | Sponsor: | American Volkssport Association Special Programs Page |
| Description: | The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is the famous hiking trail in the eastern United States from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail is roughly 3,500 km long and goes through 14 States. Walkers are required to hike/walk a section of the trail in each state. A qualifying AVA walk is one that goes on the AT or a blue-blazed trail for at least 4 km. An AVA walk will count for only one state; the sponsoring club will determine which one. Complete the 14 required events; Traditional, Seasonal, or YRE as indicated in the booklet. You must pay for each event. Each AVA stamp can only appear once in the book. Use of the On Line Start Box is approved. Due to the unique nature of this program, participants have space in the program book to add a picture, notes, and other local stamps such as the Park or AT Passport stamp.The patch is 4” x 6”. |
| To Purchase: | Book cost is $10. Make checks payable to AVA. Please note on the check it is for “The Appalachian Trail SP”. Please include your mailing address and email address with your request. |
| Send Request To: | Susan Noonan 8819 London Heights San Antonio, TX 78254 |
| POC: | Susan Noonan Email: susan.noonan@gmail.com Phone: 210-286-8897 |
| Redeem by email: | Not available for this program. You need to send the completed book or a paper copy of the book by scanning or talking pictures of all book pages (including the front page) into a PDF, JPG, or PNG file(s). Send the book or copy to the purchase address above. |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Walk With America's Veterans |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2021, end: 12/31/2027, Redeem until: 12/31/2028 |
| Sponsor: | US FreedomWalk Festival Club Facebook Group |
| Description: | The goal of this special program is to walk for fitness while discovering the many ways our country’s veterans are honored for their military service. “Collect” 15 different qualifiers in the logbooks for 6 different awards which are military “challenge” coins that honor the six military services. ONE qualifier is collected with each AVA: America’s Walking Club stamp. When in doubt about a qualifier, post a question with a picture in the new Facebook group created to administer and discuss this special program, or ask the POC below. All qualifiers must be for military service from 1890 to the present, nothing earlier (Revolutionary or Civil War) will count. Each “entry” in the logbook is an AVA-stamp PLUS the name/ picture/ description of the qualifier and location. When using a TGW or GW stamp, the six digit event sanction number is also required. Qualifiers can only be used once in a book or in a year, whichever comes first. (A new year on the AVA stamp allows a repeat of the qualifier in the same book.) Each qualifier is:
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| To Purchase: | Order your "Walk With America's Veterans" record book for $12 each with check made out to "US FreedomWalk Festival Club." |
| Send Request To: | Veteran's Walking Program, c/o Volksmarching Club PO Box 2422 Woodbridge, VA 22195 |
| POC: | Tim Miner Email: Veterans@WalkVirginia.org Phone:703-583-2916 |
| Redeem by email: | Veterans@WalkVirginia.org For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Walking With the Wild Things |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2025, end: 12/31/2027, Redeem until: 12/31/2028 |
| Sponsor: | Capitol Volkssport Club |
| Description: | Wild Things - they CAN be found among us! Maybe you've seen some or even met some on a walk. They can take on many different shapes and appearances such as trolls, gargoyles, fairies, and gnomes. Once you start looking for them, you are almost certain to find them "hiding in plain sight." An event must go by a Wild Thing (troll, gargoyle, fairy,or gnome) to qualify. Complete 15 qualifying events to receive a fully-embroidered patch designed by Dorman Batson. A qualifying stamp shall only be used once per year per qualifier but may be repeated in a different year. If an event has more than one qualifier on the event route, the stamp may be used again if paid for and walked a separate time for each qualifier. For trail planning, trolls may be found on the following Dambo Trolls locator website: Dambo Trolls locator However, qualifiers are not required to be listed on this locator and not all trolls on this locator are found on AVA event routes. |
| To Purchase: | Please print and complete this request form and mail it with a check for $12 per book payable to "Capitol Volkssport Club" or "CVC." |
| Send Request To: | Capitol Volkssport Club c/o Pam Greig-Davis 6623 Riviera Court SE Lacey, WA 98513 |
| POC: | Pam Greig-Davis Email: greigenterprises@msn.com Phone: 360-790-9733 |
| Redeem by email: | greigenterprises@msn.com For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | A-MAZE-ing Labyrinths |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2024, end: 12/31/2026, Redeem until: 12/31/2027 |
| Sponsor: | Liberty Bell Wanderers |
| Description: | A-MAZE-ING LABYRINTHS is a play on words: labyrinths are not mazes. Labyrinths are unicursal, meaning one walks in and out on the same path. A labyrinth is an ancient symbol of wholeness. The meditative properties of walking a labyrinth may help one to self-reflect, offer quieting of the mind & spirit, enhance creativity and reduce stress. Labyrinths are indeed a-maze-ing! This special program offers opportunities for meditative moments by walking labyrinths. An event must go by a labyrinth (or a maze) to qualify. Complete 14 qualifying events to receive an embroidered patch of a classic unicursal labyrinth. A qualifying stamp shall only be used once per year per qualifier but may be repeated in a different year. If an event has more than one labyrinth on the event route, the stamp may be used again, if paid for and walked a separate time for each qualifier. For trail planning, labyrinths may be found on the following labyrinth locator website. However, qualifiers are not required to be listed on this locator and not all labyrinths on this locator are found on AVA event routes. https://labyrinthlocator.com/locate-a-labyrinth. For general information on labyrinths these websites are a good start: https://labyrinthsociety.org/ and https://www.verywellfit.com/walking-the-labyrinth-3435825 There are also several YouTube videos on labyrinth walking. |
| To Purchase: | Please print and complete this request form and mail it with a check for $12 made out to "Liberty Bell Wanders." |
| Send Request To: | Liberty Bell Wanders, c/o Betty Green 320 Melbourne Way Souderton, PA 18964 |
| POC: | Betty Green Email: bettyg52@gmail.com Phone: 845-774-5335 |
| Redeem by email: | bettyg52@gmail.com For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Step To The Beat |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2024, end: 12/31/2026, Redeem until: 12/31/2027 |
| Sponsor: | Nebraska Wander Freunde Trailblazers |
| Description: | This program encompasses the world's love of music in its many forms. To qualify, a walker must pass by any location that teaches music, has music performances regularly on stage, uses vocal or instrumental music to entertain audiences, has dancing performed to music or a music store. Qualifiers are 15 different locations in an AVA sanctioned event. The qualifying location can only be used once per event even if there are multiple qualifiers on the same route. If an event has more than one qualifier on the event route, the stamp may be used again, if paid for and walked a separate time for each qualifier. This special program supports "Hungry for Music" which is a charitable nonprofit organization that works to support music education and cultural enrichment and provides musical instruments to underprivileged children around the world. Successful participants will earn a colorful patch. |
| To Purchase: | The cost of the book is $12.00. Make checks payable to "Nebraska Wander Freunde Trailblazers" or "NWFT" and please include your mailing address and email address with your request. |
| Send Request To: | NWFT PO Box 8147 Omaha, NE 68108 |
| POC: | Lori Anderson Email: fromustoyou@zoho.com |
| Redeem by email: | fromustoyou@zoho.com For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Lighthouses II |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2023, end: 12/31/2025, Redeem until: 12/31/2026 |
| Sponsor: | Baltimore Walking Club |
| Description: | Beacons from coast to coast, lighthouses are linked historically to the development of maritime expertise and used to warn of dangerous conditions so as to secure safe passage. The US Lighthouse Society has listed under the J. Candace Clifford Lighthouse Catalog page after page of descriptions taken from the National Park Service Inventory. With approximately 700 lighthouses in the United States the Qualifier must include any sanctioned IVV event (traditional, seasonal or YRE) that passes or is in view of a lighthouse. One stamp per event per year. IVV participants outside of the United States are welcome to register and participate while logging lighthouses along any IVV event. |
| To Purchase: | Cost of book is $12 USD. Complete 12 walks to receive a patch featuring a lighthouse and also a completion certificate. Make checks payable to the "Baltimore Walking Club." Please include your mailing address and email address with your request. |
| Send Request To: | Sue Capp 100 Grace Manor Drive Havre de Grace, MD 21078 |
| POC: | Sue Capp Email: suecapp@yahoo.com Phone: 717-968-6611 |
| Redeem by email: | suecapp@yahoo.com For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Par For The Course |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2023, end: 12/31/2025, Redeem until: 12/31/2026 |
| Sponsor: | First State Webfooters |
| Description: | Fitness for all ages is a core value of America's Walking Club and its programs. Family is an important part of AVA's future. During this special program, participants will be collecting IVV event stamps (each event stamp may only be used once per year) for event trails that go past outdoor physical activities including but not limited to: exercise stations (par course/stations), golf (frisbee and miniature too), playgrounds, baseball, basketball, soccer, bocce ball, racquetball sports, volleyball, hop scotch and the list goes on. Examples of non qualifiers are skateboard parks, bike parks, treasure hunting and geocaching. Participants are encouraged to find their inner child and "play on the path*" with family and friends. There will be 3 levels of awards, Bronze, Silver and Gold magnets. You must complete one book per award. |
| To Purchase: | To purchase a book please make out a check for $12 (per book) payable to the "First State Webfooters." Please include your mailing address and email address with your request. |
| Send Request To: | First State Webfooters, c/o Karen Kaufman PO BOX 2041 Dover AFB, DE 19902-5510 |
| POC: | Karen Kaufman Phone: 302-233-6615 Margie MacLeish Email: fswpcsp@gmail.com Phone: 302-222-8269 |
| Redeem by email: | fswpcsp@gmail.com For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Rails To Trails |
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| Runs: | Sales start: 01/01/2022, end: 12/31/2025, Redeem until: 12/31/2026 |
| Sponsor: | Colorado Springs Walking Club |
| Description: | Any sanctioned YRE, seasonal, or traditional event that walks/bikes on a portion of an official Rails-to-Trails Conservancy identified trail (which can be found at https://www.traillink.com/trailsearch/) qualifies. One stamp per event per year except for “Guided Trail” events which use the same stamp – in this case the sanction number identifies a unique event. Special Program Booklet contains room for 16 stamps. A 3”x4” award patch similar to the one pictured above will then be mailed to you upon completion. |
| To Purchase: | Send check for $12 made out to "Colorado Springs Walking Club." Please include your mailing address and email address with your request. |
| Send Request To: | Sherry Sayers 3524 N. Cascade Avenue #58 Colorado Springs, CO 80907 |
| POC: | Sherry Sayers Email: cswc@avclubs.org Phone: 719.640.6745 |
| Redeem by email: | cswc@avclubs.org For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |
 | Town Halls City Halls |
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| Runs: | Sales ended: 12/31/2024, Redeem until: 12/31/2025 |
| Sponsor: | Peninsula Pathfinders |
| Description: | Complete 15 AVA sanctioned walks that include a town/city hall building must be marked as such or have a plaque as a historic site of one. A hall may only be used once, even if multiple walks go by it. The patch depicts the Ashland town hall and the Fredericksburg city hall, both in Virginia. |
| To Purchase: | Books are no longer on sale. |
| Send Request To: | Books are no longer on sale. |
| POC: | Sandy Croushore Email: szcroushore@verizon.net Phone: 775-532-3468 |
| Redeem by email: | szcroushore@verizon.net For further details on redemption by email |
| Qualifying Links: | Qualifying Events Link For further details on the use of the Qualifying Events link |