The Happy Wanderers An AVA Volkssport Club
Walking is our passion
We are a premier walking club based in Port Orange, Florida. You might say that walking is our Passion. Our other activities include cycling and swimming. Sundays you will find us hosting Year-Round Events and on Wednesdays, we gather for our Fun Walks. Check out our calendar and Come Walk With Us!
Bring a flashlight to all evening walks during the Fall and Winter Months!
All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking. - Friedrich Nietzsche
Featured Events
- Cocoa Beach -Courtyard by Marriott - CancelledNovember 1st – 9 AM
- Ormond Beach - Regional LibraryNovember 4th – 5:30 PM
- Bradenton - WAF35November 6th -8th
- Osprey - Oscar Scherer State ParkNovember 6th -10 AM – 4 PM
- Bradenton - Robinson PreserveNovember 7th -8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Bradenton - DeSoto Natl Monument RPNovember 7th -8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Bradenton - Rossi Park RiverfrontNovember 8th – 8:00 AM – 11 AM
- Port Orange - YMCA Veteran's DayNovember 11th – 5:30 PM
- DeLand - Courtyard by MarriottNovember 15th – 1 PM
- Daytona Beach - Blaine O'Neill ParkNovember 18th – 5:30 PM
- Daytona Beach - Sun Splash ParkNovember 22nd – 1 PM
- New Smyrna Beach - Riverside ParkNovember 25th – 5:30 PM
- DeBary - Gemini Springs State Park #Opt OutsideNovember 27th – 10 AM
- Port Orange - YMCANovember 29th – 1 PM
Thirty-five Years and We still Roam
The Big Give
Since 1976, we’ve been bringing people together to promote fun, fitness, and friendship. Last year, we raised $91,619 during the Big Give, and this year, we’re aiming for $100,000! Help us reach our goal by donating from 6 PM CT on Sept. 23 to 6 PM CT on Sept. 24, or mail a check to the AVA National Office by Oct. 31st.
Seventeen Anniversary events throughout the country!
Special 50th Anniversary Commemorative Passport Book
for those who attend all 17 featured events, or who can attend 8 of them.
Membership 2026 Time to Join or Renew
Here is an enjoyable, free way to virtually walk with friends. Sign up on World Walking (click the button below), and join the Happy Wanderers Group. Alternatively, you can select a walk of your choice from a list of routes available worldwide. Enjoy your walking experience!
AVA Online Start Box
America’s Walking Club offers an Online Start Box (OSB) system, which allows walkers to register for events remotely rather than using a physical start box. This is especially useful for trails that are difficult to maintain or lack a host location.
How It Works:
- Create an Account: Users need a personal email and a credit or debit card to fund their Event Bank, with a minimum deposit of $4.
- Register for an Event: Once funds are added, walkers can select an event and download a PDF with directions, parking info, and trail details.
- Complete the Walk: Participants have four weeks to complete their registered event, with some exceptions based on event timing.
- Log Participation: After finishing the walk, users return to the OSB to enter their details and receive printable stamp inserts for AVA Special Programs.
The OSB is hosted by AVA at https://my.ava.org, making it easy for walkers to find and register for events across different locations.
Walking
Walking events vary in distance consisting of (5, 6, 10, 11,12, 13 ,15, or 20K)
Cycling
Two events available Palm Coast (13K/31K) Port Orange (13K/26K)
swimming
Event held at the Port Orange YMCA 300m (6 laps up & back)
What Our Walkers say
I found this group of wonderful people in January, and since I started walking with Happy Wanderers, I sleep incredibly well! It really is the best time of the day!
Maria Paula Mantilla
Joining the Happy Wanderers Walking Club has been a fun way to stay active, explore local towns, and meet awesome people. If you're looking for a cool way to get moving and make new friends, come walk with us!
Michelle McLaren