Walking through the forests, across the heath and right through the villages, the Drentse Wandel 4-Days is an annual highlight for many. But behind that regular hiking ritual, a small, loyal group of volunteers from Odoorn sat for years. Until this year.
“It just became too much,” says former treasurer Fred Brands, who helped with the organization for 14 years. Yet the event lives on, with a fresh wind from Exloo.
“We organized it for years with a regular club, but it became smaller and smaller. People moved, got other obligations, the age.” Monthly meetings, arranging permits, planning routes, marketing. The list became longer while the group became smaller. “In the week itself it still succeeded with volunteers, but everything around it, that just became too much.”
A conversation that Fred had to hang with Jan Schutrups years ago. “He said then,”I have a dreamI would ever like to organize something like that. “That has always stayed with me. So when we decided that we were not pulling it anymore, we went to him.”
Schutrups, known for the shoe store in Exloo, turned out to be enthusiastic. “He felt honored, I believe,” laughs Fred. “Of course they already had experience with walking days. This was bigger, but it fits their organization.”
Sterre Niland van Schutrups Exloo, together with a team, took on the organization and that goes energetically. “We have a new logo, a fresh house style and we organize it together with people from the village and the entrepreneurial association. This is how it stays the room,” says Sterre.
That the four -day walking now no longer from Odoorn, but Exloo does arise questions. “People say,” Isn’t it always in Odoorn? ” But hey, we already have more than 500 pre -registrations, so they will sign up! “
For the time being there are distances of 10, 20 and 30 kilometers. “The 40 kilometers do miss some, especially fanatics who practice for the Nijmegen Four Days Marches, but we build it up quietly. First put this down well.”
What is special is that the new organization not only runs on Schutrups and volunteers employees, but also on younger powers. Five students from NHL Stenden help and write a project plan. “They bring fresh ideas,” says Sterre. “Our marketing team is also quite young, that gives energy.”
And there is still support from Odoorn. “A few of us just help this year. And I? I’m definitely going to take a look and help where I can,” said Fred. “Letting go completely is not possible, but if you see how Schutrups approaches it, it will be fine”
This Thursday the Drentse Walking 4-Daagse will start at Schutrups in Exloo.