Convention Registration Information

Be a Part of
AVA’s 13th Biennial Convention
Rambling the Rockies, 2003
Colorado Springs, CO

The American Volkssport Association will hold the Thirteenth Biennial AVA Convention from June 24 through June 27, 2003 at the Doubletree World Arena Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

This convention packet provides information needed to register for convention events, social activities, and the fun and excitement of a Volkssporting Convention.  Additional copies of the convention registration packet may be obtained by contacting AVA Headquarters, the 2003 AVA Convention Committee, the 2003 AVA Convention website, your Regional Director or printing this brochure yourself.  The Convention Registration Form can be printed from the attached file, filled out and then faxed or mailed to AVA Headquarters.  The fax number and address of the headquarters are listed on the registration form.

Convention Registration Form (.pdf)

We hope you will join us and enjoy “The Spirit of Walking” while you renew old friendships, make new friends, learn more about health and fitness, and participate in great volkssporting events.  Please send in your registration today!

Registration Fees

Volkssport Associate Members and children receive a convention registration discount.  The convention registration fee applies to activities scheduled at the convention site for June 24 – 27.  Payment of the registration fee entitles a person access to the exhibit hall, convention sales, workshops, and all general sessions.  It also includes admission to the Welcome Social on June 24, lunch in the exhibit hall on June 25, 26, and 27, and reduced registration fees at all volkssporting events.

Each person may purchase a Total Meeting Package.  The package includes full convention registration, registration for all volkssporting events with awards, header bar, and tickets for all social events.  Transportation tickets are not included.  This package will give you a savings of 10% over the price of the individual items.  This package will only be offered during pre-registration.

The Total Meeting Package fees are listed below.

Registration postmarked by April 12, 2003:
Volkssport Associate Members		$249.00
Others (over 13 years old)			$282.00
Others (3 to 13 years old)			$186.00
Others (under 3 years old)			Free **
   **(Does not include volkssport events or header bar.)

Registration postmarked between April 13 – May 17, 2003:
Volkssport Associate Members		$271.00
Others (over 13 years old)			$304.00
Others (3 to 13 years old)			$208.00
Others (under 3 years old)			Free **
   **(Does not include volkssport events or header bar.)

If you do not want the Total Meeting Package, you may register for just the activities you wish to attend.

You may purchase a Full Convention Registration.  This includes  access to convention workshops, the exhibit hall, and the general sessions.  It also includes a ticket to the Tuesday evening welcome social and lunch in the exhibit hall on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Full Convention Registration fees are listed below.

Registration postmarked by April 12, 2003:
Volkssport Associate Members			$100.00
Others (over 13 years old)				$125.00
Others (3 to 13 years old)				$  60.00
Others (under 3 years old)				Free 

Registration postmarked between April 13 – May 17, 2003:
Volkssport Associate Members			$125.00
Others (over 13 years old)				$150.00
Others (3 to 13 years old)				$  85.00
Others (under 3 years old)				Free

No Registration postmarked after May 17 will be accepted.  These registrations must be completed on site.

On-site Registration:
Volkssport Associate Members			$150.00
Others (over 13 years old)				$175.00
Others (3 to 13 years old)				$110.00
Others (under 3 years old)				Free

Individuals who are unable to register for the entire convention may purchase one-day registrations.  These one-day registrations include all convention activities for that day including lunch in the exhibit hall.

Tuesday, June 24, (All ages) (Welcome Social)	$45.00
	Wednesday, June 25, (All ages)			$65.00
	Thursday, June 26, (All ages)				$65.00
	Friday, June 27, (All ages)				$65.00

We have listed fees for all other convention activities and convention related items in other sections of this brochure.

Cancellation Policy

The National Headquarters must receive cancellations in writing.  Only cancellations postmarked no later than May 17, 2003, will qualify for a refund.  The National Headquarters will deduct a $50.00 administrative fee from all refunds.  No refunds will be given at the convention site.

Delegate/Alternate/Proxy Designation

The American Volkssport Association National Secretary is responsible for the rules and procedures for delegate, alternate and proxy designations by State Organizations and Member Clubs.  The National Headquarters will provide instructions and forms for delegate, alternate and proxy designations directly to the State Organizations and Member Clubs.  The National Headquarters will mail this material in January, 2003.

General Information about Colorado Springs 
and the Area

Colorado Springs is Colorado’s second largest city.  The city includes more than 340,000 residents in a 188 square mile area, and is the center of a thriving metropolitan area of more than 480,000 people.

Although located at an elevation of 6,035 feet above sea level, Colorado Springs experiences moderate temperatures throughout the year.  Access to Colorado Springs is extremely easy.  The city is served by several major highways with two U.S. Interstate highways (I-70 & I-25) intersecting 70 miles north in Denver.  Highways passing through Colorado Springs include Interstate 25, U.S. Highways 85/87 and 24, and Colorado Highways 83, 94, 115 and 122.  The Colorado Springs Airport is located seven (7) miles east (within 15 minutes) of the convention site/host hotel with more than 100 daily flights.  America’s most well known mountain, Pikes Peak, provides a dramatic backdrop for Colorado Springs.  Rising 14,110 feet above sea level, the mountain serves as a landmark, guidepost, and guardian of the entire Pikes Peak Region.

If you are looking for some special souvenirs to take home, the Pikes Peak Region offers over fifty (50) major attractions for people to see.  The area’s number one man-made attraction is the U.S. Air  Force Academy with over 1.4 million visitors per year.  The area’s number one natural attraction is Garden of the Gods Park with over 1.7 million visitors per year.

Visit the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and pick up a visitor’s guide.  The Bureau is located at 515 South Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.  Telephone number:  1-800-888-4748, web site address:  www.coloradosprings-travel.com.

Housing

The headquarters hotel for the Convention is the Doubletree World Arena Hotel, located at 1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO.  The AVA Convention room rate is $104 for single, double, triple, or quad occupancy.  Request AVA Convention rate when registering.  This hotel will also serve as the convention site.  Telephone number:  (719) 576-8900.

The other hotel offering special convention rates is Quality Inn and Suites, 1440 Harrison Road, Colorado Springs, approximately two (2) blocks from the convention site.  The AVA Convention room rates are based on occupancy:  $92 for single/double, $97 for triple, and $102 for quad.  Request AVA Convention rate when registering.  Telephone number:  (719) 576-2371.

Campgrounds

Colorado Springs South KOA
8100 Bandley Drive
Fountain, CO 80817
(719) 382-7575
	Garden of the Gods Campground
3704 West Colorado Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
(800) 248-9451
	
Fountain Creek R.V. Park
3023½ West Colorado Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
(719) 633-2192
	U.S. Air Force Academy FamCamp
U.S.A.F. Academy, CO 80840
(719) 333-4980.
	
For more housing information see www.2003AVAconvention.org

General Transportation

All convention attendees are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Colorado Springs.  If you plan to fly, the nearest major airport is the Colorado Springs Airport  with Denver International Airport approximately 75 miles away.  Complimentary shuttle service is available between the Colorado Springs Airport and the Doubletree World Arena Hotel.  This hotel also offers on-site car rental through the Dollar and Enterprise Car Rental Agencies.  Average cost for a mid-size car and gas for the entire convention is approximately $400.  Want a good deal on transportation without the hassle of driving?  See Event Transportation listed below.

Continental Airlines is the official airline of the 2003 Convention.  They will offer up to a 10% discount off all published rates.  To receive the Continental discount, individuals may call their travel agent or Continental Airlines MeetingWorks at 1-800-468-7022.  Please provide the reservation agent the reference code UDKCR1.  

Event Transportation

Bus (motorcoach) transportation will be provided round trip (R/T) from the Convention Hotel, Colorado Springs, to the following convention volkssporting events and mid-conference social:

•	Saturday, June 21, - Pine Bluffs, WY (450 miles R/T)
•	Sunday, June 22, - Estes Park and Denver (300 miles R/T)
•	Monday, June 23, - Cripple Creek (100 miles R/T with 1½ hours extra for site seeing in Cripple Creek)
•	Tuesday, June 24, - Royal Gorge Bridge, Cañon City (100 miles R/T with 2½ hours extra for site seeing at the Bridge)
•	Wednesday, June 25, - Turkey Creek Recreation Area, Ft Carson
•	Wednesday, June 25, - Swims, SE YMCA, Colorado Springs
•	Thursday, June 26, - Garden of The Gods, Colorado Springs
•	Thursday, June 26, - Flying W Ranch, Colorado Springs
•	Friday, June 27, - Castle Rock (90 miles R/T)
•	Saturday, June 28, - Olympic Training Ctr, Colorado Springs
•	Saturday, June 28, - Colorado City (135 miles R/T)
•	Sunday, June 29, - Raton, NM (300 miles R/T)

Event transportation tickets vary in price for each event.  Please refer to the Registration Form for individual prices.  Children under 2 are free if held on parent’s lap.  A transportation pass, good for all events will be $200.00.  This pass provides you a 10% savings over the price of all the individual trip prices.  Prices are based on a minimum of 30 passengers per trip.  With less than 30 passengers, the cost would not justify use of a bus.  Passengers will be notified in advance, should a trip have to be cancelled.  

Social Activities

An AVA Convention would not be complete without social activities where volkssporters can renew old friendships and meet new people.  At the 2003 Convention, several social activities will offer attendees this opportunity.

Tuesday, June 24, Rocky Mountain Hi – The Traditional Welcome Social will be in the Grand Ballroom of the Doubletree World Arena Hotel.  Attendees will have an opportunity to visit all of our exhibitors while enjoying bratwurst, knockwurst, potato salad, coleslaw, chips and desserts.  You may purchase sodas, beer and mixed drinks, if desired.  German music will entertain you while you greet your volkssporting friends from around the world.  The event hours are from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Dress is casual.  Volkssporters are encouraged to wear their club shirts.  We have included this social event in your registration fee.

Thursday, June 26, Chuckwagon Supper and Western Stage Show – Be ready for an evening of fun and fellowship with old friends and new ones as well, at the “Flying W Ranch”, a working mountain cattle ranch that has specialized in western food and entertainment since 1953.  It has beautiful natural surroundings, an authentic old western town and mouth-watering BBQ beef or chicken suppers with unlimited refills.  Rounding out the menu is a baked potato, BBQ beans, chunky applesauce, old-fashioned biscuits and spice cake, with your choice of coffee, lemonade or iced tea to drink.

The old western town consists of over a dozen completely restored buildings furnished with authentic contents of the 1800’s and early 1900’s.  Navajo Indian ladies weave their beautiful rugs and a blacksmith demonstrates horse shoeing.

After dinner entertainment is provided by the “Flying W Wranglers.”  The Wranglers  specialize  in  beautiful  three  part  vocal  harmonies  about  the romantic American Cowboy.  Their voices are outstanding and their western humor is very entertaining.  The Wranglers also rank among some of the finest musicians in the country, each playing several different instruments.  The show is always family oriented.  Dress is, of course, casual.

Tickets for this event are included in the Total Meeting Package.  If you do not purchase the Total Meeting Package, tickets may be purchased separately for $23.00 for adults and $13.00 each for children under nine (9).

Friday, June 27, Happy Trails to You - This is the evening for the traditional closing dinner-dance.  This gala event in the Grand Ballroom of the Doubletree World Arena Hotel will be held at 6:30 p.m., beginning with cocktails.  Door prizes will be given away throughout the evening.  After a wonderful dinner featuring beef, chicken or vegetarian, Native American Indian dancers will entertain, and then you may dance the rest of the evening to the music of the Gentle Rain Band.  This will be your chance to bid adiós to your many friends as the 2003 Convention comes to an end.  Dress is casual (please, no shorts).

Tickets for this event are included in the Total Meeting Package.  If you do not purchase the Total Meeting Package, tickets may be purchased separately for $39.00 each.  Children under nine (9) years-of-age are $20.00 each.  Ice tea, coffee, and dessert are included with the meal.  Sodas, wine, beer and mixed drinks are available for purchase throughout the evening.

Special Community Project

As a way of giving something back to the people of the Pikes Peak Region, the 2003 Convention attendees are asked to make a donation to the U.S. Forest Service for use in restoring trail heads destroyed by the Colorado wildfires of 2002.  This is a wonderful opportunity for Volkssporters to thank the Pikes Peak Region that has worked so hard to make our convention a success.  The monetary donations should be made out to “2003 AVA Convention Committee” and mailed to 2325 Twilight Drive, Colorado Springs, CO  80910.  Please designate on your donation that it is for the 2003 Special Community Project.  A formal presentation of the donated funds to the U.S. Forest Service will be made during Friday’s General Session.

Workshops

A full schedule of workshops is planned for each day, (Wednesday through Friday) of the convention.  There will be two (2) 50-minute sessions each morning with five (5) workshops per session.  The first session is tentatively scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. each morning.  The workshop sessions will be held in the Colorado Springs Rooms of the Doubletree Hotel.  Workshops will be in three categories:  Volkssporting, Health and Fitness, and General.  The convention program will provide detailed descriptions of the workshops, presenters’ names, times and locations for the workshops.  The tentative workshop schedule includes:

Volkssporting
•	Marketing Theory
•	Event Brochures – Fun Events
•	Increase Club Membership
•	Putting on Family Friendly Walks
•	Safety on the Trail
•	Quality Walks – The Key to Our Future
•	Become a Walking Advocate

Health and fitness
•	Sports Nutrition
•	How to Pick a Walking Shoe
•	Choosing the Right Bicycle
•	Dressing for the Weather and the Sport
•	Stretching for Walkers 

General
•	Colorado Wildflowers 
•	Global Positioning System (GPS) Basics
•	Outdoor Photography 

Volkssporting Events

Saturday, June 21
Community Center, Pine Bluffs, WY
Start Times:  7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.		Finish by 4:00 p.m.
This walk takes you around a small prairie town and atop a scenic bluff on the plains of Wyoming.  A museum, archeological digs, and a wonderful view from the top of the bluff awaits you.  Walk is on town streets, concrete pathways and dirt trails.  Strollers can complete the 5 km with some difficulty.  Wheelchairs can complete a portion of the 5 km.  
				5 km Walk Rated 2	10 km Walk Rated 2+

Sunday, June 22
Stanley Park, Estes Park, CO
Start Times:  7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.		Finish by 2:00 p.m.
A refreshing walk around Lake Estes and through the quaint town of Estes Park on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Abundant wildlife, the scenic beauty of the Rocky Mountains, and interesting shops highlight this walk.  Walk is on concrete pathways and city sidewalks.  Stroller and wheelchair accessible.
				7 km Walk Rated 1	11 km Walk Rated 1+

Sunday, June 22
Capital Walk, Metropolitan State College Campus, Denver, CO
Start Time:  4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.		Finish by 10:00 p.m.
Starting in the Metropolitan State College campus, this walk takes you along Riverwalk paths, through parks, a unique mall, and around the Capitol Building.  Walk is on concrete pathways and city streets.  Strollers and wheelchairs can complete the trails with some difficulty.
5 km Walk Rated 1+	10 km Walk Rated 1+

Monday, June 23
Historic Mining District, Womack Event Center, Cripple Creek, CO
Start Time:  7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.		Finish by 2:00 p.m.
Be prepared for a very interesting walk.  This walk takes you through the small historic gold mining town of Cripple Creek.  The trail goes through the cemetery, past old businesses and casinos along Main Street and wanders up the mountainside on the American Discovery Trail.  Walk is on roadways, city streets, and dirt trails.  Strollers and wheelchairs can complete 5 km with some difficulty.  Large-wheeled strollers can complete 10 km with difficulty.
5km Walk Rated 2	10 km Walk Rated 3+

Tuesday, June 24
Royal Gorge Bridge, Cañon City, CO
Start Time:  6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.		Finish by 12:00 p.m.
This walk wanders through woods and picnic grounds en route to a spectacular crossing of the world’s highest suspension bridge offering breathtaking views of the Arkansas River 1,053 feet below.  Bring your camera and have your picture taken in front of your state flag and plaque on the bridge.  Walk is on dirt pathways, gravel roads and paved roadways.  Large-wheeled strollers can complete these trails with difficulty.  Wheelchairs can complete bridge portion (2 km).
5 km Walk Rated 2+	10 km Walk Rated 2+

Wednesday, June 25
Turkey Creek Recreation Area, Fort Carson, CO
Start Time:  6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.		Finish by 12:00 p.m.
Enjoy the great outdoors on this walk.  You start at a historic ranch that has been converted to a recreational area for the military and their families.  This is a scenic walk through trees and open space.  Walk is on dirt pathways and gravel roads.  Large-wheeled strollers can complete these trails with difficulty.  Alternate 5 km trail can be completed by wheelchairs with difficulty.					5 km Walk Rated 2	10 km Walk Rated 2

Wednesday, June 25
Southeast YMCA, Colorado Springs, CO
Start Time:  5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.		Finish by 10:00 p.m
Two swim events, held simultaneously, at the new YMCA and Sierra High School pools.  Located next to one another, one will be for walkers and the other is for swimmers.

Thursday, June 26
Garden of the Gods Park, Colorado Springs, CO
Start Time:  6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.		Finish by 12:00 p.m.
This is a beautiful walk through the world-renowned Garden of the Gods with breathtaking scenery, towering sandstone rock formations and spectacular mountain vistas no matter where you look.  Walk will be on dirt and paved trails and park roads.  Stroller accessible.  Wheelchairs with difficulty.			5 km Walk Rated 1+	10 km Walk Rated 2+

Friday, June 27
Castle Rock Event Center, Castle Rock, CO
Start Time:  6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.		Finish by 12:00 p.m.
This walk is in a small community just south of Denver.  You will walk through the historic business district and along the base of the rock (bluff) for which the town is named.  The walk is on concrete and paved pathways, city streets and dirt paths.  Strollers and wheelchairs can complete 5 km trail.  Large-wheeled strollers can complete 10 km trail.
				5 km Walk Rated 1+	10 km Walk Rated 2

Saturday, June 28
Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO
Start Time:  7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.		Finish by 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy the host city on this walk as it takes you around the War Veteran’s Memorial, Firefighter’s Memorial, downtown Colorado Springs, city parks, and the Olympic Training Center.  Walk is along city streets.  No pets on this walk.  Strollers and wheelchairs can complete with difficulty.  
6 km Walk Rated 1	11 km Walk Rated 1

Saturday, June 28
City Park, Colorado City, CO
Start Times:  4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.		Finish by 10:00 p.m.
A small community nestled in the foothills of southern Colorado; Colorado City offers a tranquil walk around and through the golf course (closed for this event) and around a lake.  Walk is on paved and gravel roads, cart paths around the golf course and a concrete path around the lake.  Strollers and wheelchairs can complete 6 km trail with some difficulty.  Large-wheeled strollers can complete 10 km trail.
				6 km Walk Rated 1+	10 km Walk Rated 2

Sunday, June 29
Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton, NM
Start Time:  7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.		Finish by 2:00 p.m.
The last walk is in a beautiful New Mexico State Park.  You will walk around two lakes and through forests nestled among the surrounding mesas.  Wild turkeys and deer are some of the wildlife that can be seen along this walk.  Walk is along a paved road and on dirt pathways by the lakes.  Strollers can complete 5 km trail.  Wheelchairs can complete a portion of 5 km trail.					5 km Walk Rated 1+	10 km Walk Rated 2+

Event Awards

The award design is a group of laser wood cuts executed in ¼ inch cherry (see picture below).  Each of the walking events will be represented by a commemorative three-inch (3”) square award.  One award will be designed for the two swims with the second swim being credit only.  The header from which to hang the event awards will be purchased separately.  The cost for the header and individual event awards is listed on the Registration Form.

Convention Souvenirs

Convention Souvenirs available for purchase are:

	Commemorative Convention T-shirt
		Medium – Large – Extra Large		$12.00 *

	Commemorative Convention Polo Shirts
		Medium – Large – Extra Large		$22.00 *

	Commemorative Convention Sweatshirts
		Medium – Large – Extra Large		$20.00 *

* For Extra-Extra Large shirts, add $2.00

Commemorative Convention Patch			$  5.00
		
Commemorative Convention Pin			$  3.00

Commemorative Convention Header Bar		$15.00 **
(For Hanging Individual Event Awards)

** Included in price of Total Meeting Package Registration

Commemorative Convention Bear			$15.00
(AVA Fundraiser)

Souvenir items may be ordered on the convention registration form and will be available for pickup at the Convention Registration Area.  Go to the 2003 Convention website:  www.2003avaconvention.org to view Convention souvenirs.