If you are planning to walk with us, you should start walking 1-3 miles every day to begin building up your endurance, either in your neighborhood, or on a designated walking trail. It’s important to start small to get your body used to walking. These 7-mile taster sessions will help you get a little perspective on the challenge of walking 15 miles per day! We encourage all walkers to join us for at least one of these training sessions. 

Location: Outer Loop of Millennium Park, approximately 7 miles / 2.5 hours

• Thursday, June 12th: 6 pm
• Saturday, June 14th: 10 am 
• Monday, June 16th: 6 pm 
• Wednesday, June 18th: 10 am 
• Friday, June 20th: 10 am
  
  

We will be seeking donations for these items, but suggest the following as a general supply list: 

• Water/Electrolyte water
• Gatorade/Powerade
• VEGAN Protein bars
• NOT VEGAN Protein bars
• Fruit snacks
• Cheese snacks
• Jerky
• Camping/sleeping pads
• Sleeping bags
• Tents
• Anti-chafing gel/lubricant
• Neosporin
• Bandaids
• Benadryl
• Bug spray
• Plastic grocery sacks
• (for feet in case of rain)
• Knee braces
• Ankle braces
• Ace bandages
• Unscented sunscreen
• Unscented bath wipes

We expect walkers of all abilities to join us for partial, full-day, and entire length of our march. Here's a few details to keep in mind: 

1. We will maintain a pace of approximately 2.5 miles/hour. This will keep us on schedule for each of our routes and should accommodate varying abilities. 

2. Supplies: we plan to have a supply vehicle which will be along the route with us with water and snacks. We expect you to be able to load your individual pack into this vehicle. Personal supply items can include: 

• Multiple changes of socks per day.
• Multiple pairs of shoes or hiking boots with support - as individual needs require. Suggested a comfortable pair of shoes for campsites/evening activities.
• Wicking clothing that covers areas that rub such as armpits, thighs, and other sensitive areas. If you plan to walk multiple days, it can be tempting to overpack, be cognizant of what can be carried.
• Small first aid supplies. We are working on medical volunteers, but it is always helpful to keep a small stash of band-aids, OTC pain relief and allergen treatments, and other first aid items or needed medication on your person. 
• Bug protection: Ticks are having a record year in Michigan and we will be in spaces with high grass. 
• Hats and sun protection. Our route is intentionally planned along busier roads, concrete is hot and reflective. 
• Personal wipes. There will not be access to showers or bathing facilities. 
• Personal Hygiene items: please bring appropriate items for yourself. We will have water but sanitation will be limited. 

3. Toileting.

It is imperative that we do not relieve ourselves on private property, at all times. We will bring camp toilets, which consist of gallon buckets, with us. Where available, we will utilize public washrooms during our march and overnight stays. We will take regular bathroom breaks and work together to provide protection while utilizing these tools - i.e., we'll hold sheets/blankets to block views for one another. 

4. Pack It In, Pack It Out. Please practice principles of Leave No Trace  in all spaces we occupy during this 5-day event.

5. Buddy System. It's great to have a teammate who you can regularly check up with for encouragement and support. Find a friend every day and keep an eye on one another. 

6. Emergency Contacts. We will ask that everyone walking with us fills in an emergency contact form each day they are present. We will provide this information at the beginning of each day and/or when you join the group. 

7. Socials. We will be keeping our social media updated with locations and timeline! Please follow, share, and interact, we'd love to have you tag along, even for a few hours!