About Us

The Northern Virginia Volksmarchers were founded in 1983 by Ralph Hibler and Tom Ogles, US Army officers, recently returned from Germany and who lived in Burke, Virginia. Originally called the Burke Centre Volksmarchers, the club's first walk was on the April 30 and May 1, 1983 weekend in Burke; we had 1,137 participants. After holding 3 volksmarches in Burke, the club decided to broaden the location of events and changed its name to the Northern Virginia Volksmarchers. The club's events were held mainly in Fairfax County, Virginia, until we decided to cross the county line and hold a walk in Winchester, Virginia, during the Apple Blossom Festival in April 1988. Since then, the club has held walks in the total northern Virginia area.

The Northern Virginia Volksmarchers have always been known for the selection of interesting places to walk in and the careful marking of their trails. The club's mascot, Charging Charlie, has appeared on many of the club's awards and sales patches in many different activities and costumes. The Northern Virginia Volksmarchers were the first club in the AVA to offer a t-shirt award -- Charging Charlie directing the Wolf Trap Animal Symphony. This shirt can still be seen on the trail.

Northern Virginia Volksmarchers club members have been very active in the national, state, and local volkssporting arena. It was the Northern Virginia Volksmarchers who led the effort to win the 1991 AVA Convention for the Atlantic Region. The convention committee was chaired by Mary Lou Benzel and Northern Virginia Volksmarchers club members held many of the club chair positions. Northern Virginia Volksmarchers have held positions on the state level in the Virginia Volkssport Association, serving as President and Vice-President.

Numerous club members have been awarded Certificates of Service, Meritorious Service awards, and a special President's Award at the AVA conventions.

We meet on the second Monday of each month, except for July, August, and December. You are welcome to attend our meeting.

Go Way Back to Our 2000-2011 Websites

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Club Contacts

Club Officers:
Office Person Phone Email
President Steve Brown 703-644-0189 photocyclist7@gmail.com
Vice-President Rob Grunewald 703-303-5543 grunewar@yahoo.com
Treasurer Barry Plott 703-352-5135 barry.nvv@verizon.net
Recording Secretary Dianne Purdy 703-449-0615 reddianne@aol.com

Other Club Functions:
Responsibility Person Phone Email
Corresponding Secretary Karen Plott 703-352-5135 secondhorse@verizon.net
Membership Margaret Wagner 571-214-0955 mewagner26@gmail.com
Sales Bob McLean 703-455-1878 rmcmamc@aol.com
Newsletter Editor Jim Garamone 703-360-5692 cjimgaramone@yahoo.com
Website Roy Wagner 571-214-0956 RoysLogin@gmail.com

Year Round Event Contacts:
YRE Location Contact Phone Email
Alexandria - Dyke Marsh Helen Garamone 703-360-5692 hkGaramone@hotmail.com
Alexandria - Waterfront Helen Garamone 703-360-5692 hkGaramone@hotmail.com
Alexandria - Historic Old Town Robert Grunewald 703-303-5543 grunewar@yahoo.com
Burke - Lake Barton Sandy Koontz 703-239-1073 shkrgk@gmail.com
Burke - Six Ponds Sandy Koontz 703-239-1073 shkrgk@gmail.com
Burke - South Run Sandy Koontz 703-239-1073 shkrgk@gmail.com
Fairfax Barry and Karen Plott 703-352-5135 barry.nvv@verizon.net
Reston Dave Ackerman 703-860-2025 ackermands@aol.com
Springfield - Lake Accotink Jack or Susan Jeter 757-218-5814 beekeeprz@verizon.net
Workhouse Arts Center Steve Brown 703-644-0189 photocyclist7@gmail.com

"Walking will get us where we want to be!"

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