Tom and Louise Baltes of Camas have walked in over 20 countries and all 50 states and 51 capitol cities through a non-competitive walking sport called volksmarching. So what makes them walk, walk, walk?
Volksmarching Began in Germany
“Louise and I have been volksmarchers since 1980 when we participated in our first event in Germany,” Tom recalls. Weekly outings gave the couple a way to see German villages and the countryside at a relaxed pace. “It was great exercise, fun for our family and helped us learn more about Germany,” Tom added.
Both Tom and Louise are retired Air Force officers. Their careers have taken them across the United States, to Turkey and to Germany three times. Their walking activities have added up to more than 35,000 kilometers of recorded walking. Volksmarchers record each sanctioned event in record books, fill them up and turn them in for patches, pins and a certificate.
It was not unusual for American military service members stationed in Germany to catch the “volksmarch bug” like Tom and Louise. The non-competitive sport started there. In Germany volksmarching is a fantastic way to get out and visit little villages, walk through woods and vineyards and enjoy the German culture. It is a well-organized system.
Volksmarching (from the German “Volksmarsch,”or people’s march) is a form of non-competitive walking that developed in Europe in the mid to late 1960s. It has nothing to do with marching. Now, you will see the term volkswalking or volkssports used more frequently.
In the little villages of Germany at that time, traditional running races only allowed for a few to be winners. It soon dawned on organizers that more people could be involved if they had a sport where everyone was a winner. Since many Germans loved a good walk in the countryside, a walking sport seemed to fit the bill. And, many walk events were fundraisers, for the German Red Cross as an example, so the families of the village would bake cakes and organizers would set up a beer tent. When participants finished the 10K or 20K walk, they picked up their award, had their books stamped and would stay to socialize and relax over beer and good food.
Volksmarching Comes to the United Sates
Eventually American service members brought the sport, and the international record books, to the United States. The first volksmarch was held in Fredericksburg, Texas, a Texas hill country town with German roots. And, eventually the sport expanded. Tom explains, “Volksmarching clubs are more than just walking clubs. We are part of a 41-year-old, nationwide group of clubs numbering over 230, known as the American Volkssport Association. This organization, in turn, belongs to an international program with walks in over 40 countries.”
Tom adds, “Our clubs offer fun, fitness and friendship and sometimes food to engage walkers who participate.”
Non-profit clubs dotted across the United States organize walks to highlight the beauty, history and hidden treasures that abound in their communities, parks and rural areas. Additionally, the program includes biking and swimming events, plus winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Thus, the term “volkssports” was coined. The program is low cost and available to people of all ages and fitness levels. Louise admits, “It’s the best kept secret in America!”
Volksmarching is Part of Their Lives
Tom and Louise have many wonderful walking memories. “Among our most memorable walks have been 15 guided ones in South African game parks, a coast-to-coast trip across Scotland and a stroll under the Eiffel Tower in Paris on New Year’s Eve,” Tom explains. All of these were sanctioned volkswalks.
Tom and Louise actually moved to their home in Camas because of the sport, as Tom elaborates, “We love the program and moved from New Mexico to the Northwest six years ago because of the marvelous volkssport walks available. Most importantly, we’re here to enjoy a fun group of dedicated walkers who value the health benefits and fun of walking together.”
Walking in Clark County
It is easy to become involved in these all-volunteer clubs. There are two clubs in Clark County (with four more in Portland) that host walks, make do-it-yourself walking routes available and provide other services to the community. Vancouver USA Volkssporters meet in Vancouver, and All Weather Walkers meet in Salmon Creek. You do not have to belong to a club to participate in the walk events.
There is also a regular Wednesday morning walking group that often schedules a walk in Clark County. Experienced walkers can join in the 10K, faster walk, and more relaxed walkers can enjoy a slower, 5K, guided walk. The American Volkssport Association lists walks across the United States open to the public, making for some great stops on a cross-country road trip.
The best way for a new walker to get started is to attend one of the guided group walks, such as the Wednesday Weekly Walkers or a weekend event in this area. To make it easy, clubs have set up a meet-up group, Walking Oregon and Southwest Washington, with a calendar of area walks. Louise suggests, “We often tell new walkers to try a shorter distance first to be sure they have a successful outing and get a better idea of their fitness level.”
Over the next two years Tom and Louise expect to be very busy traveling around the Pacific Northwest walking with clubs across a four state area. Tom is the new volunteer regional director for volkssporting in this area and will be reaching out to club members to hear their ideas while enjoying their walking trails.
