European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 9, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse A Vendor Sells wares to warm the weary wanderers. Approached in traditional German clothing but their conversation gave Ihen away As americans. Brendan emerged from his seclusion then ran toward us slipping falling and laughing. We resumed our hike. The Trail led i into the Woods under a Maze of tree limbs decked with puffy White garlands. Defiant Tufts of yellowed grass poked through the Snow on the ground. How far is the next station asked Brendan showing the first signs of fal buc snowflakes had begun to Drift through the saw a Birdhouse attached to a tree. Someone had painted a number "9&"on the Bottom of it. Just ahead on the other Side of the Trail another Birdhouse sported the number "97." there were occasional numbers on Trees and on wooden tags hanging Oil second checkpoint was deep in the Woods where the Trail angled sharply to he right apparently heading Back to town. The boys slipped and Slid some mor and the other . Many forged ahead with grim worried expressions that suggested they were hurrying to catch a bus. Others were More casual chatting with Inen Sand acting As though they were on the Trail by coincidence the Trail wandered by stacks of neatly Al Rulond by Hunters blinds and through a Talf Cozen Evergreen cathedrals. It climbed up and around a Small Borse. The boys started to by. Then the third checkpoint came into View. They picked up the last validation then gulped Down a pair of slush Laden soft drinks. The last two Kilometres Drew the walkers out of the Woods gradually depositing them Back on the main Street. In the improved Light we could see exploded fireworks casings along the Road fresh evidence of the previous night s Celebration ust As the boys suspected the hike was almost Over it ended. We rounded a curve and found ourselves Back at the gymnasium. It was approaching noon. The gymnasium was crowded now As filled with diners and drinkers As an average Kotob Crichl Beer Hall five or six men stood on the stage waving trophies they had just claimed. Others wore hits festooned with pin they had earned at previous Volks wanderings or jackets covered with various patches. Joseph and Brendan collected their medals and we drove Home for what they considered to Bedwell earned lunch. What is the secret of the vol Smarch i Don t think there is one. It seems to be an Extension of the German passion for organization. Is there any other country in the world whose citizens make such an event of taking a walk there Are As Many different reasons for wandering through the Woods As there arc people who do it. It s ,1 convenient mix u exercise companionship and proximity to nature. It s an excuse for taking a nip with your pals. It s a reason to collect patches and medals. It s an excuse to visit other towns. And or us it was a look at yet another Side of life in Germany. Rules of the Road Volks marching attracts millions o people in Europe and North America to the outdoors year and the Choice of events does .1 lol to encourage their participation. Would be walkers can find a nearby vol Smarch or almost any weekend of the year in Central Europe and the United kingdom. The schedule offers the most variety a summer when bicycling and swimming events also arc available. The International federation of people s sports int National Volk sport verb and conducts most of the vol Smarch event in blur pc. Vav was founded in 1960, uniting walking clubs in Austria Germany Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The organi Alion now has about "1,600 clubs including about 2,000 clubs with More than 9 million members in Germany alone. About 30b affiliated clubs exist in the United states. Other Vav clubs strike the Trail in Belgium Canada Denmark France Holland Ireland Italy Luxembourg Norway Sweden and the United kingdom. Individuals who enter an Ivy Cuenl in German pay two Marks to receive an Ivy stamp at the end of their walk and to be insured in Case of injury. Participants who wish to receive a medal after the walk must pay an additional 6.50 Marks. Fees Are slightly lower for those who pre Register individually or As part of a group. Fees vary slightly in other countries but rules governing the Ivy events Are the same. Summer walking events fall into three categories Short hikes of 10-15 Kilometres medium length hikes of 20-25 Kilometres and ions Niles � 30 Kilometres. In Winter there Are Short walks of 10-12 Kilometres and Long walks of 15-20 Kilometres. Ivy club members earn recognition and special awards for cumulative totals of distances hiked and those distances arc recorded with official Ivy Stamps in special booklets the members carry with them to Volks marches. Walkers can obtain an International Ivy schedule at any Ivy Volks wandering event. The Stan and stripes also lists a schedule of events for the Corning week in this Magazine. The Ivy includes several european based clubs composed chiefly of americans such As the american wandering club of Stuttgart. Each club sponsors a local event once a year and organizes group trips so that its members can participate cheaply in out of town events Manfred Sander president of we Ler Freundel Magstadt the Ivy club in Massiani Germany said his club sponsors trips to nearby or Distant Valks marches nearly every weekend. The american club in Stuttgart is similarly Active he said often capturing trophies for bringing the greatest number of club members to a single event. Sander about 4,000 people attended the 1lih Magstadt Vuks wandering on dec. 31 and Jan. 1, and about 300 of them were members of the american club. January 9, 1986 it Riff Magazine
