Your LifeSports Introduction:
an adventure in health, recreation, fellowship and fun through
volkssporting!
Volkssporting literally translates as "Peoples Sport." The LifeSports
program consists of organized events designed to appeal to people of all ages. These are
noncompetitive events and not tests of speed or endurance. This is exercise at your own
pace.
The volkssporting philosophy simply recognizes that everyone cannot and
should not attempt to exercise in timed or competitive events where awards are based
upon order of finish.
Everyone can and should participate in some
lifetime sport for exercise and fitness.
LifeSports provide this opportunity for you and millions
world wide.
LifeSports consist of four sports: walking, bicycling, swimming,
and cross country skiing. Each event has a premarked trail on which you may enjoy the
company of friends, family, and fellow volkssporters. Volkssporting is not laps around
a track or block, but rather scenic trails that allow everyone to enjoy the out-of-doors
and exercise.
The LifeSports program is an opportunity for you to achieve physical
fitness in a personalized manner. We suggest that you consult your doctor on your intended
exercise program.
Every volkssporter is a winner and is able to earn Event Awards at each
event. The event award is usually a patch or medallion depicting the theme, location,
or honoree of the event. These Event Awards are earned only by participating.
All LifeSports events are open to everyone and are not-for-profit.
Although participation is free of charge, the Event Award and Individual Achievement
Award Credit (see below) are available at reasonable prices to participants wanting the
recognition.
The International Volkssport Verband (IVV)
Volkssporting evolved from running races in Germany.
Because most people were not in physical condition to run in competitive races and
many who tried should not be exerting themselves in this manner, many realized there
was a need for a different kind of event. An event which provided individualized
exercise, recognized each participants efforts, and remained noncompetitive. After
this type event became popular in Germany and neighboring countries, an international
federation was formed by Germany and three of it's neighbors. This federation is
known as the International Volkssport Verband, or simply better known by it's acronym,
IVV. Today, the IVV has expanded to include 26 member national organizations, including
the United States.
The American Volkssport Association (AVA)
The American Volkssport Association administers the IVV
program in the United States. The AVA is a nonprofit, charitable organization, composed
of volunteers, governed by an Executive Council and member clubs that conduct these events
nationwide.
The goal of the AVA is to promote physical fitness and good health by
encouraging all people, regardless of age, race, color, creed, or economic status, to
exercise in a stress-free environment.
The Sun Country Striders, Ltd. Volkssport Club
The Sun Country Striders, Ltd. is incorporated in New Mexico as a nonprofit
organization. As a member of the AVA, the Sun Country Striders, Ltd. maintains a
non-profit, charitable status by supporting and promoting volksmarching. The club is
governed by a board of officers elected annually by the members. All functions involved
with the conduct of club business and sanctioned events are performed by volunteers.
There are no paid employees. Membership in the Sun Country Striders, Ltd. is open to all,
regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, or status.
The The Sun Country Striders sponsors walking events (volksmarches) in and
around the Las Cruces, New Mexico area. Normally, 6 weekend event are held during the
year. Events are normally scheduled in April, May, September, October, November
and December of each year. In addition, the club sponsors four Year-Round volksmarches in the Las Cruces
area. Year Round Events (YREs) are permanently established so you can participate
anytime throughout the year, as many times as you desire. For detailed information, visit
our "Year-Round Event" pages. Participation in any of the regular
weekend or Year-Round events does not require club membership.
There are two types of annual membership plans for the Sun Country Striders,
Ltd. Individual membership is $6.00, and family membership for a $12.00 fee covers all
members of a family. If you are interested in becoming a member and being a part of the
volunteer group sponsoring the LifeSports events, fill out and mail an
application/information request form. Click her for a printable
application/information request form.
Other Volkssport Clubs in the Area
In addition to the The Sun Country Striders, there are volkssport clubs in
El Paso, Texas, Alamogordo, and Roswell. Each of these clubs sponsor volkssports events
during the year. Club names and mailing addresses are available upon request.
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Volkssporting is unique among noncompetitive event programs.
Not only do participants earn event awards, but they may also earn INDIVIDUAL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS.
These INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS are based upon the number of
EVENTS completed and the number of KILOMETERS walked, biked, or skied.
Swim events are recorded only as events.
Upon completion of a LifeSports event, participants take their Event
Record Book and Distance Record Book to the finish table for certification. The
certification is a rubber stamp impression made in the record books. The stamps are
specially coded for each event and are referred to as IVV CREDIT.
Participants collect these IVV CREDITS at each event, then at the
appropriate level, send the record books to the American Volkssport Association National
Office for processing. Participants receive a metal pin, an embroidered cloth patch, and
a personalized parchment certificate for the appropriate award level.
Names of the recipients are published in the AVA newspaper, THE
AMERICAN WANDERER, indicating the award earned.
The event IVV CREDIT is given for each event completed and certified
in the Event Record Book. The EVENT awards are earned at the first 10, 30, and 50
events. From 50 events to 600 events, additional awards are earned in increments of 25
events. Between 600 events and 1500, awards are earned every 50 events. Thereafter,
awards are given for each 100 events.
Distance Credit is certified for the actual kilometers walked, biked, or
skied. The distance IVV CREDITS are recorded in the Distance Record Book. Awards
are earned in increments of 500 km up to 8000 km. Between 8000 km and 22000 km, awards
are earned every 1000 km. The next award after 22000 km, is 25000 km. After 25000 km,
awards are given every 5000 km.
Although the greatest reward for exercise is the good health and fitness we
achieve, we still need and want more. The individual awards program is designed to
recognize your achievements.
The event awards and the IVV record books are a diary of your volkssporting
experience. You will enjoy remembering the fellowship of new friends and old, visiting
historic and scenic areas, and your LifeSports adventures in your own state, our
nation, Canada, and 24 other countries around the world that are a part of the IVV.
