Cape Cod Nordic Walking
Discover your next passion with this fun and social full-body workout. Grab those walking sticks!
Do you remember when we walked to school, we walked to the store, we walked to the church, we walked in the park? Is walking still a thing?
Carla Fogaren, a nurse and resident of Harwich Port since 2014 and founder of Cape Cod Nordic Walking Club, Inc. seems to think so-in a very passionate way. She has a deep passion for both healthy living and community. As a nurse she always believed in the power of movement to improve both physical and mental well-being. When Carla first discovered Nordic walking, a low-impact exercise that uses walking poles, she was amazed at how accessible it was to people of all fitness levels, and yet how challenging and rewarding it could be. The added benefits of using poles for balance, using up to 90% of your muscles, and improving posture, were life changing. Carla realized the positive impact this could have on all of us.
The Idea
For Carla, Harwich Port is a beautiful oceanside community with a wonderful combination of restaurants and shops. There is more, however. Cape Cod’s beautiful natural landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for Nordic walking. As Carla says, “I saw an opportunity to create a space where people could connect—not only with nature but with each other. The social and health benefits of walking together in a group are immense, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of a club that fosters both physical health and a sense of belonging.”
The Beginning
In June of 2022 Carla posted a request on Facebook asking for five to ten people willing to join her Nordic walking. This small group soon exploded into a vibrant club which now boasts over 3,300 members. CCNW's leadership structure is made up of a Board: Carla Fogaren, President/Founder, Brenda Brown, Clerk, board member Sue Moynihan and Treasurer Debbie Zinck. They have an Advisory Council made up of 32 hosts who plan, schedule and lead the walks. As Carla says, “They are the unsung heroes of the club, and I feel honored to work alongside them.” The club has 40 Sweeps who help by being the last walkers to ensure safety of the group. To be a Host or a Sweep requires training. Additionally, the club has ten Certified Nordic Walking Instructors who teach the clinics. They are one dedicated group.
The Challenges
Funding is an ongoing challenge. Since participation in the club is free, the club relies on grants and donations. The majority of the funding comes from generous donations from participants and supporters. This covers expenses like purchasing poles for the clinics, creating educational materials, printing ID badges, and other operational costs related to running the club. As no one is paid, it is the passion and commitment of the volunteers that keep the club thriving.
Another challenge is that people love Nordic walking! The moment a walk is posted, it fills up quickly. To help accommodate more participants, the club is currently training 8 new hosts to join the team, which will allow the club to offer even more walking opportunities. The club typically organizes between 60 to 100 walks per month, spanning from the bridges all the way to Provincetown.
When an activity like this is so popular one has to be mindful of its community impact. The club strives to be good neighbors ensuring they do not monopolize the parking spaces at trailheads and popular locations. The club limits the number of walkers on each outing ensuring room for everyone to enjoy the beauty of Cape Cod. To preserve this beauty, the club is a "Leave no Trace" principled group and partner with great organizations like the Mass Audubon Society, the Barnstable Land Trust, the Harwich Conservation Trust, and the National Seashore.
The Benefits
First there are the health benefits. The club has received countless testimonials from members about the tangible physical improvements they've experienced. Many have shared that their blood pressure has improved, they’re losing weight, and their A1C levels have dropped. Other members report improved bone density, better posture, and relief from pain, particularly in the knees and hips, thanks to the supportive nature of Nordic walking poles that help alleviate pressure on the joints.
The mental and emotional benefits have been equally powerful. Many of the club members have shared that joining the club has significantly reduced feelings of isolation and has formed deep friendships. Carla explains, “After the challenging times of the pandemic, when so many people felt disconnected, the timing of our club’s founding was especially meaningful. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how our walks have provided a sense of belonging, helping people overcome loneliness, and forge a deeper connection with both themselves and others.”
An additional fun fact is that couples are finding a hobby that they both can share. There are parents and their adult children who are members and walk together.
The Details
The club is non-profit, and its services and programs are free. Here is what the club offers.
- Instructional Nordic Walking Clinics: These are clinics led by trained instructors that teach participants the proper technique of Nordic walking, which combines walking with the use of poles for full-body engagement.
- Nordic Group Walks: The club organizes group walks in different scenic locations around Cape Cod, allowing participants to enjoy the outdoors while getting a great workout. These walks cater to all fitness levels and are a great way to meet like-minded individuals. They cover a variety of distances as well as terrains.
- Refresher Workshops: The club occasionally holds special workshops or clinics that focus on specific aspects of Nordic walking, such as technique refinement, safety, and fitness goals.
- Focus on Community: We offer informational sessions on Nordic Walking techniques and health benefits to community groups like schools, Libraries, Council on Aging to help spread the love of Nordic walking. These are specifically designed to promote an active lifestyle.
- Non-profit 501C3: We are a non-profit and are funded by donations and/or grants. There is no charge to participate.
The Cape Cod Nordic Walking Club provides a supportive, inclusive, and fun environment for anyone interested in improving their fitness, discovering new places to walk, and connecting with a vibrant walking community.
The Future
As the club looks to the future, Carla is thrilled to announce a long-anticipated project that’s finally coming to life – the launch of their very own website! You can now find them online at capecodnordicwalking.org.
The Nordic Walking Club sees something in the Cape that we can so easily miss. The Cape is more than just beaches, restaurants, and mini golf. They see the Cape as a place where natural beauty, physical and emotional well-being can flourish if you only do but one simple thing. You take a walk. It is organizations like the Nordic Walking Club with its sense of vision and commitment to our well-being that makes Harwich Port such a wonderful community in which to live.
Photo credit: Julia Cumes Photography