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!

Find our next Walk Here

All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking. - Friedrich Nietzsche

Featured Events

View Calendar here

October Walks At A Glance

  • St Augustine - Doubletree by Hilton
    October 4th – 9 AM
  • Port Orange - Buschman Park
    October 7th – 6 PM
  • Sanford - Historic Welcome Center
    October 11th – 8 AM
  • Daytona Beach - Colins Park
    October 14th – 6 PM
  • New Smyrna Beach - Indian River Village Shopping Center
    October 18th – 8 AM
  • Ormond Beach - Andy Romano Beachfront Park
    October 21st -6 PM
  • Ponce Inlet - Winter Haven Park
    October 25th – 8 AM
  • New Smyrna Beach - Holland Park
    October 28th – 6 PM

Lois Shannon

1933 – 2026
Lois Shannon, a guiding force in the Happy Wanderers Walking Club, has passed away. Serving as president from 2001 to 2009, and later as co‑president with Marvin Stokes from 2009 to 2011, Lois helped shape the club’s welcoming spirit and steady growth. Her leadership, kindness, and commitment to keeping people active and connected left a lasting imprint on the Wanderers community.
She will be warmly remembered and deeply missed.

Thirty-five Years and We still Roam

Annivesary Song

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.

Donate

Don't Delay Get Your Registration In Today!

Great Walks, Great People, Great Memories
Walk, Swim, Explore, Connect
Four Types of Parks
City, County, State, Federal
Click the Buttons Below for Everything WAF35

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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.
Watch Video
Information
List of events

Membership 2026 Time to Join or Renew

Join now
Renew Here

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!

World Walking
HW Year Round Events
Online Start Box Tutorial

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Register for an Event: Once funds are added, walkers can select an event and download a PDF with directions, parking info, and trail details.
  3. Complete the Walk: Participants have four weeks to complete their registered event, with some exceptions based on event timing.
  4. 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.

HW WAF34 Shingle Creek Group
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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