What we’re about
This is the official site of the Maryland Volkssport Association, replacing an earlier one. A New Year's Walk on Dec 31 and Jan 1 will soon be announced. Also see our website for a club near you and events: https://www.mdvolks.org/
Come join us for a walk / hike!
✨ Why We Walk
For fitness. For fun. For friendship.
Our walks aren’t races — they’re opportunities to enjoy life, stay active, and share the trail with others.
👟 Walk at Your Own Pace
• Choose a 5 km trail (about 1 hour) or a 10 km trail (about 2 hours)
• Stroll, jog, power walk, bring your dog — it’s all about enjoying the journey
• Rain or shine, our walks are open to everyone
🌎 Discover Something New
• Explore parks, neighborhoods, and historic areas you might miss by car
• Walk solo, with family, or ask at the start table to join another walker
• Every step brings fresh air, new sights, and new friends
🤝 Community Spirit
• We sponsor walks year-round across Maryland with several local clubs
• Meet friendly faces like Bill or Linda at Freestate events
• Connect with walkers nationwide through my.ava.org
💲 Affordable & Rewarding
• Just $4 per adult walker (kids under 12 walk free!)
• Your fee helps keep our events going and supports America’s Walking Clubs (AVA)
• Record your walks in event record books and celebrate milestones with certificates, patches, and pins.
Upcoming events
3
New Year's Eve - Walk in Historic Savage, Maryland
United Methodist Church of Savage, 9050 Baltimore St, Savage, MD, USSPONSORED BY: Freestate Happy Wanderers Volksmarch Club, Inc. AVA-190 AVA: America’s Walking Club - $4 walk fee per adult
Start/Finish area will be set-up to conform to the State of Maryland, Howard County and the United Methodist Church of Savage Rules and Restrictions that are in place at the time of the walk events. Correct change or checks appreciated.
START/FINISH: United Methodist Church of Savage, 9050 Baltimore St. Savage, MD 20763. Located on the corner of Baltimore and Foundry Streets. See drive directions on back. Restrooms are available at the Start/Finish.
TIMES: Start both days sign in anytime between 9 AM and 12 Noon, finish by 3:00 PM.
TRAILS: Trails are rated either 1A or 2B. Four 5-km trail options are available. Trails are on sidewalks, paved paths and natural wooded areas in and near the Savage Mill Historic District. Many options are possible, including a trail suitable for strollers. In addition, the walk box for the Savage YRE is available in the Savage Mill, Postmasters Office near the Start-Finish.
ELIGIBILITY: These walks are open to the public. Everyone is welcome to participate.
REGISTRATION: The fee for IVV Credit or Non-IVV Credit is $4.00. Children 12 and under (IVV-Credit included) walk for free courtesy of Freestate Happy Wanderers. The same trail may be walked for distance credit twice on the same start card on the same day with no extra charge.
PROCEDURE: Each participant must register at the start and completely fill out a art card and including signing waiver. The start card is to be carried on the walk and presented at each checkpoint. Participants must turn in start cards at the Finish Table after completing the event. The AVA New Walker packet, which includes both IVV Books and 3 walk credit coupons, for sale at New Walker Table cost $10.
AVA SPECIAL PROGRAMS: A list of all qualifying AVA Special Programs will be available to participants at the Start/Finish table.
Walkers may earn six IVV Credit stamps at our two-day event. Two traditional events both days (5-km/10-km trails) and the Savage YRE stamps for 2025 & 2026.
CONDITIONS: Littering along the trails is prohibited. Howard County law requires that all pets be leashed and that owners clean up after their pets. The event will be held in all reasonable weather. Pets NOT permitted in the Church Hall, Start/Finish Room. If weather conditions are uncertain, and traveler advisories are in effect on the days of the events, please call the contact person listed below to obtain up-to-date information on walk event status.
REFRESHMENTS: We are planning to serve food and drinks in the Freestate tradition. Water and hard candy will be available both days. DISCLAIMER: Every reasonable effort will be made to conduct a safe, enjoyable, and memorable event. The Freestate Happy Wanderers and the United Methodist Church of Savage shall not be liable for any accidents, theft, or material damage.
SANCTION: The Maryland Volkssport Association (MVA) and the American Volkssport Association (AVA), a member of the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV), sanctioned these events, AT129352, AT129353, AT129354 and AT129355
INFORMATION: Call 410-437-2164 (H), 410-533-5805 (C) before 9:00 PM or via email at wahasse1798@verizon.net https://sites.google.com/svsvc.org/fhw/home
DRIVE DIRECTIONS: FROM RT. I-95 NORTH OR SOUTH -TAKE EXIT FOR Rt. 32 EAST approx. 1 mile to exit at US Rt.1 South toward Laurel for one block. *Turn Right at light on Howard St. which will become Baltimore St. Church is on the corners of Baltimore & Foundry Streets. FROM RT. 295 NORTH OR SOUTH BALTO/WASH PKWY, TAKE EXIT FOR RT. 32 WEST toward Columbia., TAKE EXIT RT 1 South for Historic Savage. *FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ABOVE: Parking is allowed in the Church parking lot and on streets OBEY ALL SIGNS & RESTRICTIONS:2 attendees
New Year's Day Walk in Historic Savage Maryland
United Methodist Church of Savage, 9050 Baltimore St, Savage, MD, USSPONSORED BY: Freestate Happy Wanderers Volksmarch Club, Inc. AVA-190
AVA: America’s Walking Club- $4 walk fee per adult
Start/Finish area will be set-up to conform to the State of Maryland, Howard County and the United Methodist Church of Savage Rules and Restrictions that are in place at the time of the walk events. Correct change or checks appreciated.
START/FINISH: United Methodist Church of Savage, 9050 Baltimore St. Savage, MD 20763. Located on the corner of Baltimore and Foundry Streets. See drive directions on back. Restrooms are available at the Start/Finish.: Start both days sign in anytime between 9 AM and 12 Noon, finish by 3:00 PM.
TRAILS: Trails are rated either 1A or 2B. Four 5-km trail options are available. Trails are on sidewalks, paved paths and natural wooded areas in and near the Savage Mill Historic District. Many options are possible, including a trail suitable for strollers. In addition, the walk box for the Savage YRE is available in the Savage Mill, Postmasters Office near the Start-Finish.
ELIGIBILITY: These walks are open to the public. Everyone is welcome to participate.
REGISTRATION: The fee for IVV Credit or Non-IVV Credit is $4.00. Children 12 and under (IVV-Credit included) walk for free courtesy of Freestate Happy Wanderers. The same trail may be walked for distance credit twice on the same start card on the same day with no extra charge. Join us for Fun, Fitness, Friendship PROCEDURE: Each participant must register at the start and completely fill out a start card and including signing waiver. The start card is to be carried on the walk and presented at each checkpoint. Participants must turn in start cards at the Finish Table after completing the event. The AVA New Walker packet, which includes both IVV Books and 3 walk credit coupons, for sale at New Walker Table cost $10.
AVA SPECIAL PROGRAMS: A list of all qualifying AVA Special Programs will be available to participants at the Start/Finish table. Walkers may earn six IVV Credit stamps at our two-day event. Two traditional events both days (5-km/10-km trails) and the Savage YRE stamps for 2025 & 2026.
CONDITIONS: Littering along the trails is prohibited. Howard County law requires that all pets be leashed and that owners clean up after their pets. The event will be held in all reasonable weather. Pets NOT permitted in the Church Hall, Start/Finish Room. If weather conditions are uncertain, and traveler advisories are in effect on the days of the events, please call the contact person listed below to obtain up-to-date information on walk event status.
REFRESHMENTS: We are planning to serve food and drinks in the Freestate tradition. Water and hard candy will be available both days. DISCLAIMER: Every reasonable effort will be made to conduct a safe, enjoyable, and memorable event. The Freestate Happy Wanderers and the United Methodist Church of Savage shall not be liable for any accidents, theft, or material damage. SANCTION: The Maryland Volkssport Association (MVA) and the American Volkssport Association (AVA), a member of the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV), sanctioned these events, AT129352, AT129353, AT129354 and AT129355
INFORMATION: Call 410-437-2164 (H), 410-533-5805 (C) before 9:00 PM or via email at wahasse1798@verizon.net https://sites.google.com/svsvc.org/fhw/home
DRIVE DIRECTIONS: FROM RT. I-95 NORTH OR SOUTH -TAKE EXIT FOR Rt. 32 EAST approx. 1 mile to exit at US Rt.1 South toward Laurel for one block. *Turn Right at light on Howard St. which will become Baltimore St. Church is on the corners of Baltimore & Foundry Streets. FROM RT. 295 NORTH OR SOUTH BALTO/WASH PKWY, TAKE EXIT FOR RT. 32 WEST toward Columbia., TAKE EXIT RT 1 South for Historic Savage. *FOLLOW DIRECTIONS ABOVE: Parking is allowed in the Church parking lot and on streets OBEY ALL SIGNS & RESTRICTIONS:
Enjoy our YRE’s - Earn “I Walked ‘Em All” Patch
Bowie-Y0390 (PSB & OSB), Cambridge Y1046, Chesapeake Beach Y1087 (PSB & OSB)
Colesville Y3417 (OSB) – Frederick Y1899
Glen Burnie BWI Airport Observation Trail Y1360
Kinder Farm Park Y1896
Indian Head Y0129, Laurel Y2019, Mount Airy Y1359 (OSB) Ocean City Walk Y1572 (OSB)
Ocean City Bike YRE 3185 (OSB)
Savage Mill Y0575 (PSB & OSB), St. Mary’s City Y1620 (OSB) Ft. Smallwood Park Y2767 (OSB)
Wheaton Y1619 (PSB & OSB) Y0144 (PSB & OSB)1 attendee
