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Introducing The Omaha Walking Club

Introducing The Omaha Walking Club

Our club was founded in 1919. This means that the OWC (Omaha Walking Club) is likely to be older than most other walking clubs you have looked at. We aren't a Volks club. We are far too informal, and our outings are more general than theirs. We've been known to go swimming together, ride horses, camp out, hike, build clubhouses, attend plays, cut firewood, watch wildlife and sit around playing board games together. Our club life centers around walks and the outdoors, and we carry a little bit of 'the old life' into our style of doing things. We still heat our clubhouse with a wood-burning stove.

The club has many rich traditions and a huge amount of history behind it. We have a governing council made up of elected officers and a Board of Directors. We have committees, a clubhouse and scheduled activities. Some of our members have been in the club for over 50 years. Others of us who are newer have gained much through our associations with them.

We gather regularly at 2:00 PM almost every Sunday at our clubhouse next to Fontenelle Forest. The weather does not seem to affect us. We have played volleyball there during the middle of a blizzard. Some people participate in our scheduled hikes during this same timeframe. These hikes are outdoors in the local area and will generally be from two to four miles in length. Occasionally the hikes will be longer.

Some people who have viewed the web site recently have asked us how to join our club and what our fees are. Here are the details:

• As we are a walking club, we require all potential members to attend two of our sanctioned walks before applying for membership. After those two walks, you may continue to attend some of our walks, but we hope you do consider membership.
  
• The yearly membership fee is $20 per person. After the potential member has attended the walks, they may submit a membership application along with the first year's fee. One of our existing members must sign the application as a sponsor.
  
• The OWC Board of Directors has final approval of who will join the club. Very few people have ever been rejected.
  
• We ask $1 per person (less for children) at each of our OWC sponsored events.
  
• Each individual is responsible for applicable park fees and transportation costs. We may occasionally carpool to an event.

Whether you decide to join the OWC or not, we would appreciate your feedback concerning this website. We are always looking for ways we can improve, and you are our best critic.

You can contact us by clicking here.

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2012 Winter Carnival

This year’s OWC’s Annual Winter Carnival will be held January 8, 2012 from 11:30am to 4:00 pm in the main park building at Chalco Hills Recreation Area, 8901 South 154th (Use Giles Road from Highway 50). Cost is $5 and all members and guests of OWC are welcomed.

Due to water damage at Chalco Hills, we have been informed that our Winter Carnival will be held at the OWC Clubhouse, located just north of the Fontenelle Hills Nature Association buliding in Bellevue. The same times apply. If you are not a member of Fontenelle Forest already, you will need to pay their Walking Fee to get into the forest.

Weather conditions permitting, a walk will start at 12:00 noon. Coffee will be available for game players and others while waiting for the walkers to return.

The lunch line starts at 2:15 pm. The Entre’ will be chicken. Salads and desserts will be provided by board members.

Call or email your reservation to Pat Strecker, 402-614-5950 or pds1@cox.net, by January 6th. Payment will be received at the door by cash or check made out to the Omaha Walking Club.

Note: The park paths are NOT shoveled. Walkers should be properly prepared if there is heavy snow on the ground. Also, no sneaky snacking before 2:15! You know who you are…and The Shadow knows!

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Pre-Season Walk - Sunday, February 26

We will hold a walk in Fontenelle Forest as a 'warm-up' to the regular season which begins in March. Walkers are encouraged to meet at 2 PM at the OWC Clubhouse, located north of the Fontenelle Forest Nature Assocation. The length and exact route of the walk will depend upon the weather. The walk will cost the normal $1 for the OWC plus any fees necessary for entry into Fontenelle Forest. If you plan to attend, please leave feedback to let us know you are coming.

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