Dutch children walk four evenings in summer tradition

Hundreds of children arrived by bike at Amsterdam’s Westerpark on a rainy evening, many wearing raincoats, to register for either a 5km or 10km walk. Volunteers stamped cards at checkpoints along the route through Erasmuspark, Rembrandtpark and residential streets past the historic Molen de Otter windmill.

The walks are part of the second night of the Avondvierdaagse, a four-evening event organized by neighborhood volunteers. Children who complete all four nights receive medals, flowers and often sweets. The tradition runs across the Netherlands during the Week van de Avond4daagse, with some towns holding it earlier or later in early summer. A version also takes place in Suriname. Four-day cycling and swimming events exist as well.

The Royal Dutch Walking Association coordinates the program and reports that half a million people participate annually at 700 locations, supported by tens of thousands of volunteers. The event began in 1909 in Nijmegen as a military training march. After World War II, civilians joined the longer Nijmegen marches, which now draw 45,000 participants from more than 80 countries each year on 30km, 40km and 50km routes. The Avondvierdaagse serves as its smaller counterpart aimed at primary-school children and parents.

Professor Inger Leemans of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences notes that the walks, despite their military roots, have become a national marker in a country that does not present itself as militaristic. Participants often compare the event to King’s Day celebrations. A traditional treat is half an orange topped with a Wilhelmina peppermint wrapped in muslin.

Professor Sanne de Vries of Leiden University Medical Center says the walks encourage physical activity and motor-skill development from a young age. Parents and children say the repeated effort, rain or shine, builds resilience. Fernanda Gomes, 44, walked the shorter route with her seven-year-old daughter Alicia. Ten-year-old Robin Astill said she enjoyed walking with friends, while 13-year-old Ansel Howard said the annual event provided exercise with family and friends.

Parents also value the chance to see new parts of their neighborhoods. Rebecca Astill, 46, has walked with her children ten times. Organizer Philip Bueters said routes change each year to expose participants to different streets. Joost de Koning, 44, said the walks bring school communities together beyond brief school-gate meetings.

Some organizers note limits on inclusion for people with disabilities or from varied cultural backgrounds, and volunteer shortages have forced some events to end. Local businesses donate food and flowers, and the KWbN supplies medals. Arno van Gemert of the KWbN said the event survives because it offers a simple, healthy, screen-free activity that creates togetherness, captured by the Dutch word gezelligheid.

Volunteer Aicha Lagha said the model could work in any community. On the final evening, when the sun appeared, families gathered at the finish line. Volunteers handed out flowers from a local florist. Children danced to the 2015 song Links Rechts by Snollebollekes, and parents took photos of medal winners.