Volkssporting, translated from German is
"the sport of the people".

Promoting physical fitness and good health, all events are non-competitive, with Volkssporters choosing the sport, the distance and the pace. In Canada, walking events (called Volksmarches) are by far the most popular of all the Volkssport activities.

A Volksmarch is an organized walk held along a trail winding through selected scenic and historic areas. Usually, the walks are 10 to 11 kilometres long, and there are many 5 kilometre walks available as well. There are four types of Volksmarches in Canada.

Guided Walks: Participants meet at a specified place and all start at the same registration time. A member of the host club usually heads the group as a guide. These walks can also be enjoyed at your own pace.

Map Walks: Participants meet at a specified place and registration time. Maps are provided and Volkssporters proceed along the route at their own pace.

Annual Volksmarch Events: Generally, the event has a longer registration time. Trails are marked with signs, tape, or flags, and have control points along the route. Participants proceed along the route at their own pace.

Year-Round/Seasonal Events: Usually referred to as "YREs", these are self-guided walks enjoyable during daylight hours every day of the year or applicable season. After self-registering, Volkssporters retrieve instructions from a Walk Box and then proceed along the route at their own pace. Walkers may complete the event as often as desired during the course of the year or season.

ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE: Anyone can participate in a Volkssport event free of charge. Before starting, all participants are simply asked to register. Membership in a Volkssport club is encouraged, but not required.

An individual may enroll in the IVV International Individual Achievement Awards program by purchasing IVV Event and Distance record books. In this case, there is a nominal charge for each event. The awards are based on a person's progressive record of the number of events and distance in kilometres completed.

--some excerpts prepared by the Canadian Volkssport Federation