Societas Ambulationis Academica
"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking it"

What the hell's a Wandelsoc.?
A reason to have fun. The Societas Ambulationis Academica is the Academic Walking Society from Haarlem.


Who are we? | What is it we do? | Where do we do this? | Why do we do this there? | How do we do that? | The outfit | The ribbons | The practice projects | How do I join? | What are the other rules? | How do I become Friend of the Wandelsoc?

Who are we? - top
We are a walking association, and we're called the Academic Walking Society, not because we once studied or still do (although this does go for some of us) but because so many of our famous conquests are of a purely academic nature. Not all of them, though. So:

What is it we do? - top
We walk. We walk long distance marches. We do this in order to discover our own mental and physical boundaries, to vanquish ourselves, to withstand the pain and increase our endurance, so that we can last longer when drinking beer, afterwards. Nos Iungat Potare (may drinking unite us). You see, walking, by itself, is both boring and tedious: it is arriving that makes it such fun. But walking itself can be beautiful too, if the landscape and participants cooperate, so:

Where do we do this? - top
We do this, predominantly, at military marches. The designation 'military' scares away many, so:

Why do we do this there? - top
Because military marches have an atmosphere that has no equal. Like at all other walking events, fraternization and mutual support amongst the Walkers both are omnipresent. But military marches are better organised (by the army, you see, hence the predicate 'military'), the catering rocks and you are taken care of if necessary (the roads are closed off for you, where this is not the case traffic is stopped for you, most of the times free drinks are on offer every few kilometres and very good medical teams are on standby).

Moreover, the military character of these marches guarantees their international character. So you meet people from all over the globe, which broadens your horizon, develops your language skills and happens to be sociably enjoyable as well. All the more since the military often participate in order to not have to sweep the floors at the barracks. This humorous mentality is a relief, where, at 'normal' walking events you only meet marching freaks who have nothing else to talk about but the number of miles they trod in their life. We find this unpleasant behaviour, so:

How do we do this? - top
With lots of fun. This is fundamental. So everyone walks at his or her own speed. We do, however, respect an agreement to wait for the slower amongst us at the rests. This is fun for two reasons: for the slowest it is a mental boost to know that, at the next rest, you can count on a warm reception from your fellow Wandelsoc. members, for the fastest it is an enjoyable affair to pass the same persons time and again, at great speed, with a cheerful salute.

The ones you overtake then think, before the first rest 'Oh, he's going too fast, he's gonna crash at the first rest', then find confirmation of that thought when passing that same fastwalker at that first rest, because he's there waiting for the slowest of his party, only to be overtaken again shortly afterwards, by that same fastmarcher, who then waits for them at the finish, grinning broadly.

'Winning shuts up your critics', a nice proverb says, and there is no better way to experience that than this one. The disadvantage to all that waiting is the stiffening up - but you're marching in order to conquer yourself, so that is of no importance. To the way of walking explained above we have 1 addition, and so that is:

The outfit - top
We have a Wandelsoc. outfit, which (depending on the place you buy it in) costs 40 to 60 euros and is made by Havep. This is workwear, with a loose and pleasant fit, which absorbs well and dries quickly (100% cotton). It exists to make us recognizable during marches, and during the Ribbon Shower. But noone is obliged to wear it.

It has military colours, but this is a joke upon the young student shooters' associations, and otherwise serves to bring acceptance during marches. There is no militaristic thought behind it: if you participate in one of those marches as a group, in what looks like a military uniform, everyone respects you during the march (they make way for your party, and stuff), and at the finish line the audience applauds you. They should do that for all Walkers, of course, but they don't, and it's fun to receive that applause - you worked hard enough for it, after all. In addition, the ribbons look good on it, so:

The ribbons - top
Military marches get you medals. The medals give you the right to wear the accompanying ribbon. We don't like those ribbons out of a militaristic viewpoint, but they make a wonderful 'photobook' of memories, and a good reason for striking up a conversation with other walkers, during the marching. If you carry a load of ribbons on your chest, you are approached repeatedly by total strangers who are interested in them.

We go to order them once a year, at the end of the marching season, for all members who have earned them that season, at the firm of Van Wielik (Kneuterdijk 2b, 2514 EN, the Hague, tel. +31 (0)70-3462196, fax +31 (0)70-3617335). They then take a few months to produce them, and when they're there we hand them out to eachother during a night on which the alcohol flows richly, and that we call the Ribbon Shower. This is the current list of marches that, within the Wandelsoc., yield ribbons (and, later, the society emblem):

and besides these marches, any march that features on the IML-listing. Well anyway. All in all, we don't walk for the ribbons, but for the fun, so:

The practice projects - top
Outside the official marching season we organize practice projects, in order to stay in shape. These are cooked up among the members. The first big practice project was 'Crossing Borders From Border To Border', and we have started on the second, 'Across the Netherlands from Top to Toe'. Read all about it in the reports.

In addition we regularly organize shorter practice marches along the beach and through the dunes, between Haarlem and Katwijk. These marches are a very good way to learn how to march long distances. Every beginning's a hard one, after all, and you cannot expect one to dive into a two-by-forty-km straight away - it kills one. The shorter practice walks on the regular course are a fine leg up to the longer practice projects, which in themselves are an excellent preparation for official marches. During the practice marches you can assure yourself of the help and advice of the experienced walkers amongst us, who gladly help you to become one too. So:

How do I join? - top
By buying the outfit (make an appointment by way of info@wandelsoc.nl) and then walking along with one of our practice marches. There are no other preconditions to membership, but there is one more right to be gained: the association's emblem is earned by completing at least 1 official (i.e. not organized, but recognized by the Wandelsoc.) march.

From its issue at the first Ribbon Shower following that march (the first emblem is provided for free, the second and following you can buy from the treasurer for the cost price of 4 euros), the emblem may be worn on the left sleeve of the tunic.

What are the other rules? - top
The Wandelsoc. is an a-political, non-religious, tolerant, statute-less association. It is not permitted to, when wearing a Wandelsoc.-uniform, advocate political or religious beliefs by bearing symbols recognizable as such, as for instance flags (carrying a Dutch flag at marches abroad is permitted, by the by).

On the outfit, anything may be worn, as long as the wearer has earned the right to, whereby the left sleeve remains reserved for the society emblem and on it, besides that, only a name tag for the military unit served in may be worn, if applicable.

'Statutary' decisions are submitted for approval once a year, during the Ribbon Shower, by the executive committee, consisting of Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Members, to the General Meeting of Members, that can sanction decisions with a three quarters majority. Proposals for decisions can by the way be submitted to the executive committee at all times, prior to submission to the General Meeting.

The Wandelsoc. has no subscription fee. Enrolment in marches, transport to catering during marches, and acquisition of outfit and ribbons do cost money, of course - apart from the ribbons this is your own responsibility, the ribbons, during your first season, you receive at no charge from the 'veterans': those who wear the society emblem.

After that first season you pay for them yourself and, as a wearer of the society emblem, pay an equal part of the ribbons for the new first year members (ribbons earned before your first season you can pay for yourself too). Notwithstanding the above, there are people who would rather forgo both outfit and ribbons, so:

How do I become Friend of the Wandelsoc.? - top
By walking with us on a march organized by the Wandelsoc. itself (or providing support as part of the support team at an official march) without buying the outfit. In that case, you are not entitled to the ribbons, but you are more than welcome at the Ribbon Shower (at which, by the by, the General Meeting of Members can award the title 'Friend of the Wandelsoc.' to persons who made themselves useful for the Society). Everyone's always free to walk with us, and if the Wandelsoc. does not award you a ribbon, that does not mean that you don't stand to receive the medal itself, if you finish a march. And the Wandelsoc. always finishes its marches, so:

Chill that Beer, for the Wandelsoc. is Here!