Welcome to the website of the
East County Windwalkers! 

 
The East County Windwalkers is an award winning Volkswalking group based in Gresham, Oregon.

Meetings are quarterly.  Please call president Louise Dix at louisedix@yahoo.com, or (541) 951-0667 for the date of the next meeting.  The meetings are at 6:45 p.m. (social time), with the meeting starting at 7 p.m. in the meeting room at the Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller Avenue, Gresham, OR.

What do we do at the meetings?
We plan and organize walks.  Each walk must be developed and measured for distance.  Instructions need to be written and rewritten.  Maps need to be created.  The brochure needs to be typed and printed.  Everyone is welcome to join us. 

The East County Windwalkers is a wonderful group of people who enjoy getting together and creating events that are good for us!  It's a great way to learn about our city and have fun doing it!

What is Volkswalking?

Volkswalking is a German term ("Volksmarch") that means "a people's walk."  It is a non-competitive outdoor walk that is usually either 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), or 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).  

The purpose of Volkswalking is to encourage people of all ages to participate in the healthy enjoyment of walking, hiking and biking.

Do I have to be a member of a club to participate?

No.  Anyone can walk for free at any Volkswalk event.  However, some people do like to keep track of the number of events that they do, plus the distance they have walked. Event and distance books are sold at the hosted events.  

What is a "Hosted" event?

A hosted event is organized and hosted by a Volkswalking club.  Most clubs will sponsor two or three hosted events per year.  The club will set up a table and display the IVV banner at a start point.  Walkers will sign up at the start table and, if they are tracking their events and distance, they will pay a small fee, usually $3.00.  Each person walking, even free walkers, must carry a start card and carry it on the walk.

What is a "Year Round" Event?

A year round event is done at your convenience.  They usually start at a local business that will have a start box containing a notebook with sign up sheets, walking instructions, an IVV stamp and ink pad. 

Many people walk YRE walks regularly, providing them with healthy exercise as well as accumulating kilometer credits towards IVV awards.