Announcements: Jan 3-11, 2026
Safety in Winter: Please come prepared for the weather. Layers are best. Wear winter hikers or boots with good treads, use grippers or bring a pole in case of icy areas on sidewalks and trails.
Get Well and Sympathy Cards: Do you know of a club member who has lost a loved one or is sick? Send an email to moc.liamg|tnediserp10ovo#moc.liamg|tnediserp10ovo to inform us and an appropriate card will be sent on behalf of the club.
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS – contact Jessie if you can help out
- Pre-Walkers, both 5 km & 10 km, for a few Nepean Sportsplex routes for the new PT.
- Pre-walkers (2 different routes) for Winterlude.
- Hosts for Queenswood Heights event, at the Ray Friel Rec. Centre, Sat. Jan. 17 and Tue. Jan. 20
- Permanent Trail Coordinator for PT #277 - Lowertown / ByWard Market. The start point for this walk is the Lowertown Pool at 40 Cobourg St. We plan to do this walk 6 times in 2026 and need someone, or you and a friend, to host those walks, facilitating sign-in, distributing labels and collecting the money.
- Ontario Director Assistant (OVO member) - Annually advise which Ontario Permanent Trails to add or remove and attend online Zoom meetings (4-5 times a year) with the CVF Board of Directors to report on Volkssport happenings in Ontario by connecting with the Presidents of the 4 Ontario walking clubs on a quarterly basis.
- Vice President(s) - Why not share this position with a friend or spouse? The position entails working with the Executive on special events and assisting with decision making. We are a fun group of dedicated members, and the experience is rewarding.
THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED RECENTLY!!
You make our club great and we appreciate you!
Announcements: December 6 - 13
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS – contact Jessie if you can help out
1. Coordinator for Permanent Trail #277 - Lowertown / ByWard Market (NEW name). The start point for this walk is the Lowertown Pool at 40 Cobourg St. We plan to do this beautiful Ottawa Downtown walk 6 times in 2026 and need someone, or you and a friend, to host those walks, facilitating sign-in, distributing labels and collecting the money. Money can be e-transferred or delivered to the Treasurer after each group walk or bi-annually at your discretion. We are in the process of putting a “walk binder” rather than a “walk box” at this location.
2. Event Coordinators for two West-End Walks, one in March, the other in April. Use a previous route or create your own.
3. The Ontario Director is looking for an OVO club member to assist them. (The King’s Town Trekkers will also provide a club member to assist with this job). You will annually advise which Ontario Permanent Trails to add or remove and attend online Zoom meetings (4-5 times a year) with the CVF Board of Directors to report on Volkssport happenings in Ontario. This team could also determine where and when the next bus trip(s) will be held and will connect with the 4 Ontario walking clubs. You would join the Walking and Volkssport Association of Ontario team.
4. Our Executive is looking for 1-2 club members for the Vice President position, starting as soon as practical. Why not share this position with a friend or spouse? The position entails working with the Executive on special events and assisting with decision making. We are a fun group of dedicated members, and the experience is rewarding.
THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED RECENTLY!! You make our club great and we appreciate you!
Announcements: October 18 - 26
Looking for Volunteers – contact Jessie if you can help out
- to write and post monthly Meetup announcements in English. Familiarity with Meetup is a benefit.
- to assist with writing the Weekly Lookahead.
A club member to split the position of Ontario Director with a member of the King’s Town Trekkers. Online Zoom meetings occur 4 times a year.
- one (or two) members for the Vice President position, starting as soon as practical
Thank you!
IML MAPLE LEAF MARCH, Oct. 10, 11, 12, 2025
You are invited to the Maple Leaf March, a world-class, non-competitive, inclusive, and not-for-profit international walking event held annually in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, in Canada. Its mission is to promote walking as a recreational and fitness activity; foster international understanding and friendships; and showcase the main monuments, memorials, green spaces, and parks of Canada’s National Capital Region.
· The Maple Leaf March is not a race. The goal is rather for all participants to succeed in a supportive environment.
· The March is held every year during the second weekend of October, allowing walkers to experience the beauty of the Canadian autumn.
· The Maple Leaf March is an official event of both the IML Walking Association and the IVV International Federation of Popular Sports. As such, it joins dozens of similar events in North America, Europe, and Asia in promoting walking and good will between people from all over the world.
Come join us for this once-a-year event in beautiful Ottawa-Gatineau!
The 2025 edition of the Maple Leaf March will be headquartered at the following location:
The Royal Canadian Legion
Montgomery Branch #351
330 Kent St, Ottawa, ON
As a special offer this year, REGISTRATION fees for Ontario Volkssport club members (Kingston, North Bay, Ottawa, Temiskaming) will be $2.00 per walk. Food, drinks, entertainment & medals are NOT included. Short distances: 5K & 10K only. IVV stamps are available. Please consider registering for the Full Event or the Mix and Match Event to support this world-class, Canadian event. Let's show our pride!
Full Event — Friday/Saturday/Sunday (IVV Stamps/IML Medal)
Includes your choice of a 5km or 10km Icebreaker on Friday, of a 21km or 42km walk on Saturday, and of a 21km walk on Sunday. The Saturday and Sunday Events are mandatory to meet IML awards requirements.
Full Event: $88.57 / Register online by Oct. 10. In-person registration available.
Mix and Match Short distances (IVV only/No IML Award*)
Pick your short distances (5km or 10km) on Friday/Saturday/Sunday. Includes access to the icebreaker activity and opening ceremony on the Friday. IVV Stamps only. Mix and match short distances are NOT eligible for IML Awards.
Mix and Match: $45.41 Register online by Oct. 10. In-person registration available.
[*hhttps:na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmarchemapleleafmarch.ca%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cb2cd45c8603c459a3ad608ddff8dc30a%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638947706498391739%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DPSuST%2BWKI9bCG13bLGj6AKEBiIgWXtioBys9n8yLdQ%3D&reserved=0ttp: Visit website]
CHECK-IN / REGISTRATION
For IML credit you can check in any time Friday after 14:00. If not participating Friday, you can check-in on Saturday any time after 06:30.
If you are only participating on a certain day for IVV credit, you can check-in daily during the start window.
Friday 10 October 2025
15:00-18:30 — Start Window Icebreaker 10km
16:00-18:30 — Start Window Icebreaker 5km
19:00 — Start Opening Ceremony
20:00 — Evening program
Saturday 11 October 2025
07:00-09:00 — Start Window 42km
08:00-10:00 — Start Window 21km
09:00-10:00 — Start Window 5km and 10km
14:00 — Afternoon program
Sunday 12 October 2025
08:00 — Start 21km
09:00-10:00 — Start Window 5km and 10km
14:00 — Closing Ceremony
Karen Venema
OVO Vice-President & Ontario Director moc.liamg|stneveoavw#moc.liamg|stneveoavw
Canadian Volkssport Festival 2026
Yellowknife, NWT, Canada
June/Juin 12-14, 2026
Learn more about the 2026 CVF Festival via this link: https://walks.ca/cvf-fcv-2026-festival/
Announcements: August 1 - 30
Jessie, our Volunteer Coordinator and I, will be out of town from Aug. 3-30. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Email Carole Robichaud (East-end walks) or Email Jane Fawcett (South and west-end walks)
Looking for Volunteers:
1. Pre-walkers Needed - 5 km and 10 km routes, for an event starting at the Walter Baker Recreation Complex, 100 Malvern Dr, Nepean. These routes will be ready to check by Sept. 1st. To volunteer, please email Jessie Mallon at EMAIL
Club Anniversary Event – Sept 13 at Petrie Island.
Bring your own lunch, drink & and stay for dessert to celebrate our club’s 38th Anniversary. This event will also be a Volunteer Appreciation Event. We have rented the Event Tent which has picnic tables.
Announcements: June 30th to July 5th
On July 1st the Ottawa Voyageurs will celebrate Canada Day with a walk in the Village of Rockcliffe Park followed by a picnic, BYO lunch, and cookies provided by the club. Please save this date in your calendar. The 6K and 10K groups will pass Rideau Hall which has its Doors Open Event on July 1st (also June 28-30). You may enter the building and look around at your leisure; signing up for a tour is not required. We will stop at Rideau Hall for about 15-20 mins to allow walkers to look around.
*Looking for Volunteers: Contact Jessie Mallon at this link: jaci.mallon@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to host and pre-walk our events in the past month. Your help is critical to making these events a success! We are always willing to train new volunteers so please don't hesitate to offer your help.
Canada Day, New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Ave - Looking for 1 more host on Canada Day, July 1 from 9:20-10:15 am for the 6K registration.
Rockcliffe Park, New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Ave Looking for 1 more host to assist on Sat. July 5 from 8:50-9:30 am for the combined 6K and 10K registration.
2025-June 24-28 Announcements:
Looking for Volunteers: Contact Jessie Mallon at this link: moc.liamg|nollam.icaj#moc.liamg|nollam.icaj
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to host and pre-walk our events in the past month. Your help is critical to making these events a success! We are always willing to train new volunteers so please don't hesitate to offer your help.
Canada Day, New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Ave - Looking for 1 more host on Canada Day, July 1 from 9:20-10:15 am for the 6K registration.
Rockcliffe Park, New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Ave Looking for 1 more host to assist on Sat. July 5 from 8:50-9:30 am for the combined 6K and 10K registration.
Carson Grove, Gloucester Centre Entrance 2, Food Court - Looking for 1 more host to assist with registration on Wed. July 16 from 6:20-7:00 pm.
Hogs Back route: Looking for 1 more volunteer to check the 5 km Hogs Back route. The route is available and needs to be completed by June 30
Hosts - there will always be two hosts, and always one who has experience, Usually the overall Event Coordinator will be the 1st host. Hosts assist with taking money, distributing labels, ensuring people sign in, and generally help to make people feel welcome. This is an excellent job for your first time volunteering with us!
2025-06-10 Announcements:
The Voyageur Newsletter - Kathy Luten, club communications coordinator in charge of the OVO ‘Voyageur’ newsletter, would like articles and photos about your experiences as a walker. Do you have a favourite walk? A favourite trip you took which includes a sanctioned volkssport walk. Please don’t worry about formatting the articles. All that is needed is a title and text including “written by ?(you)” If you have photos to accompany the article, please send them separately with a description of who is in the photo, when it was taken and location. Please send them to: moc.liamtoh|netul_neelhtak#moc.liamtoh|netul_neelhtak by June 15. This is a great opportunity to submit that walking article you’ve been itching to write…
Sports 4 at both Bank St & College Square locations is offering a 15% discount to members of the Ottawa Voyageurs. They have also created an online discount code VOY15 that members can use when shopping online at www.sports4.com. Thank you to Marion Boomfor doing the work to make this possible for us!
Looking for Volunteers: Contact Jessie Mallon at email moc.liamg|nollam.icaj#moc.liamg|nollam.icaj
Centrepointe Constitutional, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Dr - Looking for 1 host to assist Marion on Sat. June 28 from 9:20-10 am
Canada Day, New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Ave - Looking for 1 host to assist Karen on Tue. July 1 from 8:50-9:30 am and 1 host to assist on Sat. July 5 from 8:50-9:30 am
Eastern Ottawa River Ramble, Sensplex, 813 Shefford Rd - Looking for 2 hosts to assist on Wed. July 2 from 6:20-7 pm and 2 hosts to assist on Tue. July 8 from 8:50-9:30 am
Carson Grove, Gloucester Centre Entrance 2, Food Court - Looking for 1 host to assist Karen on Wed. July 16 from 6:20-7 pm and 1 host to assist Karen on Tue. July 22 from 8:50-9:30 am
Hosts assist with taking money, distributing labels and ensuring people sign in and generally make people feel welcome.
2025-6-03 Announcement:
Kathy Luten, club communications coordinator in charge of the OVO ‘Voyageur’ newsletter, would like articles and photos about your experiences as a walker. Do you have a favourite walk? A favourite trip you took which includes an IVV sanctioned walk. Please don’t worry about formatting the articles. All that is needed is a title and text including “written by ?” If you have photos to accompany the article please send them separately with a description of who is in the photo, when it was taken and location. Please send them to: moc.liamtoh|netul_neelhtak#moc.liamtoh|netul_neelhtak by June 15. This is a great opportunity to submit that walking article you’ve been itching to write…
Looking for Volunteers: contact Jessie Mallon at email moc.liamg|nollam.icaj#moc.liamg|nollam.icaj We still need hosts for some of the Tuesday repeat walks and some Wednesday evening walks. Hosts assist with registration, ensure that walkers sign the registration sheet, distribute labels and collect the money. All you need to do is arrive 10 minutes before registration begins.
2025-05-14 Announcement
Seasonal walkboxes in Brockville & Gananoque are now in place:
Brockville YMCA of Eastern Ontario
345 Park St, Brockville, ON K6V 5Y7
Walkbox is at the main desk.
Gananoque 1000 Island Visitors Centre
10 King St E, Gananoque, ON K7G 1E6
Walkbox is at the main desk.
2025-05-20 to 2025-05-24 Announcements:
Register now for OVO More Days Walk / Cycle taking place from June 10-12. The $25 fee for this 3-day event includes the Meet and Greet on Tue evening plus the long-distance walk and cycle events.
Click on this link for more details and to register. Participants must be Volkssport club members. Ask for Ottawa Voyageurs group rates at the Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre, Cornwall. Register by May 25.
Looking for Volunteers:
1 or 2 club members to create a 5/6 km and a 10 km walk starting at the Walter Baker Sports Centre (100 Malvern Dr, Nepean). This West-End Walk is scheduled for Sat. Sept 20, so the route needs to be sent to pre-walkers by the end of August. Please contact: Karen V Email
2025-05-13 to 2025-05-19 Annoucements:
$550 delivered to the Food Bank last week was donated in memory of past member Patricia DeRoche. This amount does not include any on-line donations. Thank you Everyone!
Register now for OVO More Days Walk / Cycle taking place from June 10-12. The $25 fee for this 3-day event includes the Meet and Greet on Tue evening plus the long-distance walk and cycle events.
Click on this link for more details and to register. Participants must be Volkssport club members. Ask for Ottawa Voyageurs group rates at the Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre, Cornwall. Start times and event details will be shared with registrants closer to the event date. Register by May 25th
Looking for Volunteers:
1 or 2 club members to create a 5/6 km and a 10 km walk starting at the Walter Baker Sports Centre (100 Malvern Dr. Nepean). This walk is scheduled for Sat. Sept 20 so the route needs to be sent to pre-walkers by the end of August. Please contact: Karen V Email
2025-02-25 to 2025-03-01 Announcements:
Maple Leaf March registration is now open (with link) - expires March 1st
Have you heard the news? The Maple Leaf March is now part of the IML walking family! And of course you can still receive IVV stamps courtesy of the CVF.
As a special thank you to OVO members for having been part of the MMM growth and new status as an IML event, we are pleased to offer you a 20% discount on this year's event. You are also permitted to share this discount code with friends and family… But hurry, the code expires on 1 March 2025!
CODE: MLM20FOR2025 Click here
2025-02-4 Announcements:
Family Day Weekend – walk in Manotick will be on Sun. Feb. 16, 9:30 am. Manotick is an Ontario Director’s Walk.
Did you know that there are 27 Ontario Director Walks available to you. All walks can be accessed on-line at this link. ON Director walks cost $2.
NEW - OVO SPECIAL EVENT: Friday, Feb. 14 - Winterlude in the Stars – Experience a winter evening where the sky becomes the stage for a starry dance. Hundreds of drones will rise above the Snowflake Kingdom, dancing elegantly to create a magical show. Meet: in the lobby of the National Arts Centre on Fri. Feb. 14. Registration opens at 5:45 PM. We will leave at 6:10 PM sharp to walk to the Snowflake Kingdom together (3.2 km) and see the drone show scheduled from 7:00 to 7:15 PM at 350 Laurier St, Gatineau, then walk back again. Winterlude Event labels will be provided. New 6 km-10 km routes.
2025-01-25 Announcements:
Meetup – Check our club Meetup and sign up for our group.
The Yellowknife bus trips are now full. I hope that many of you were able to book one of the 4 trips! It will be a lot of fun. If you didn’t book one of the bus trips you can still join us at the Canadian Walking Festival in Yellowknife, June 12-14, 2026. Click on this Link for more information and to register.
Would you like to message someone on the Executive of the Ottawa Voyageurs Walking Club. You can find email addresses at this Link on the OVO Executive Contact page on our website.
2025-01-18 Announcements
Save the date: Welcome to Winterlude - Sat, Feb. 8.
Special Programs: NEW for 2025 is the Murals Program. Ongoing special programs are Winter Walking, Walk 100, Time to Walk and more! You can find the details about these programs by clicking on this link
2025-01-12 Announcements
Yellowknife Canadian Walking Festival - The bus tour registration opens at 5 pm EST on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Registration forms will be available at www.walks.ca at that time. If you register for the bus trip, your Festival Registration and your hotel in Yellowknife are covered in the fees paid. This is an all-inclusive package. Find your roommate now so you are ready to sign up! Seats will go quickly.
We had a total attendance of 38 at the New Year’s Day Event & Repeat. Thank you to everyone who made our first West-end Walk a big success!
Save the Date: The Welcome to Winterlude Event will be on Saturday, Feb. 8.
2025-01-07 ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The Alta Vista Permanent Trail (PT281) has been moved from the Shoppers Drug Mart at the Alta Vista Plaza to the Canterbury Recreation Complex. Watch for walks from the new location coming in early January.
- Your OVO Membership renewals for 2025 are now due. Click here to go to the Membership page on the Ottawa Voyageurs website.
- West-end Walks – We are looking for suggestions for west-end walks for February and March. We currently don’t have the time or volunteers to develop new walks, so we are looking for old routes. The routes need to be safe in Winter and have a start point with onsite parking and washrooms. Please contact Karen at Trail Blazers Team, with your suggestions.
Walk It Off: Canadian Walking Clubs Video
CBC Edomonton Video on Walking Clubs
WALKING IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
Because of COVID protocols are you doing more walking in your neighbourhood? Did you know you can track these kms and get distance credits for them. How does it work? Check out the Neighbourhood Walking Tracking Sheet.
