Girl Scout - American Volkssport Association
Master Program Patch
For All Ages

The GSUSA-American Volkssport Association (AVA) Master Program Patch, was developed jointly by Girl Scouts of the USA and the American Volkssport Association, and encouraged a fit lifestyle by making exercising outdoors fun and easy.

Please Note: The participation patch is available from the American Volkssport Association, it is no longer sold in the Girl Scout Shop.

Many Girl Scout councils, neighborhoods, and troops participate in volkssporting events.

Guidelines

• Volkssporting is not a race—so you can travel at your own pace.



• Event distances are usually 5 or 10 kilometers (about 3 or 6 miles).
  
  
• Most volkssporting events are walks, but bike rides and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing events are held occasionally.
  
  
• Teams of girls and adults must participate in at least 12 sanctioned volkssporting events for distance credit during any 12-month period.



• Teams must include at least one adult (over 18 when they apply) and one youth.



• Team members must register, and start an event together. While completing an event should be a goal, teams do not have to accomplish the entire length if any member is not physically able to do so.



• Teams may use any AVA sanctioned year-round rural or urban trail (as many times as they wish) or participate during a regular volkssporting event. See www.ava.org for events in your area.



• Teams don't have to sign up in advance for each event.
  
  
• Participants must follow all rules in Safety-Wise.

American Volkssport Association rules give consideration for girls and adults with special needs.

Registering

Girls can get registration forms on the association's website at www.ava.org or by writing to:

American Volkssport Association
1001 Pat Booker Rd., Suite 101
Universal City, TX 78148

E-mail the AVA national youth coordinator at avayouth@ava.org for more information.

After registering, each team receives a special logbook to keep track of each event.

For more information or to inquire about how to begin the program, email the association's National Youth Coordinator, or call (210) 659-2112.

Program Honors

• Each team member receives a certificate. Volkssporting participants may earn a medal the first year and year-pins in subsequent years indicating the number of years the award was earned.
  
  
• Volkssporters can collect "credits" for completing events and distances that entitle them to earn awards from the International Federation of Popular Sport. Clubs may also offer an award for participating in their event for "credit." Participants who don't want to earn awards are welcome to walk at most all events for free.