Frequently Asked Questions

About the Walk
General
About My Participant Center

ABOUT THE WALK

1. Where do we sleep?
   Walkers and crew will sleep indoors on the Sabes Jewish Community Center's gymnasium floor.
2. Where are we walking?
   The Challenge Walk route is beautiful in 2014. You'll begin your journey with 20 miles on Saturday in and around the western suburbs and finish back at Sabes Jewish Community Center. On Sunday, you'll finish the 10-mile journey walking into downtown Minneapolis with a victory march across the Stone Arch Bridge. By foot, you'll see things you never knew existed!
3. How many miles do we walk each day?
   We walk approximately 20 miles the first day and 10 miles the second day.
4. What if I get out there and can’t walk 30 miles?
   Don't worry; we won't track your miles. We have chariot vans that drive the entire route to ensure your safety. If at any time you need a lift to the next rest stop, or even to the overnight location, just give the van driver a thumbs down gesture, and he or she will pick you up.
5. Do we carry our food and gear with us on Challenge Walk MS?
   Though it would be a great work out, carrying all your gear wouldn’t be very much fun.Your gear will stay in Sabes JCC gym while you walk Saturday and can stay at the JCC while you walk Sunday or be transported to the finish — whichever you choose! All you have to do is show up and walk. We do; however, require that you carry water bottles and identification with you at all times while on the route. We also recommend carrying sun block, body-glide and any other toiletries you need while walking.
6. How many bags can we bring?
   Each walker is allowed to bring two overnight bags and one “half-way” bag. The “half-way” bag is a smaller duffle bag that will be transported to the lunch stop Saturday, so you can change your socks and shoes and shed or add any layers you need. We love our volunteers and want to keep them happy, so please limit each bag to 40 pounds for their safety.
7. What do we eat on Challenge Walk MS?
   The National MS Society provides all meals and snacks throughout your journey. We have vegetarian options at every meal. We also have fully stocked rest stops approximately every three miles along the route. These rest stops have fruit, granola bars, Gatorade, water and other snacks. If you have special dietary needs, we recommend you bring any supplemental foods you may need for the weekend.
8. How do I train for this event?
   Check out the training guide. If you have additional questions about training, contact Allison at 612-335-7921 or allison.wagner@nmss.org.
9. I use a scooter or wheelchair; can I still participate in Challenge Walk MS?
   Absolutely, we'd love to have you. Our route and overnight accommodations are fully accessible.
10. How old do you have to be to participate?
    Anyone age 13 and older can participate in Challenge Walk MS. All participants under 18 must have a waiver signed by a guardian and notarized. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult during the entire event.
11. Is Challenge Walk MS a race?
    The only thing we are racing for is a cure. Challenge Walk MS is not a race. It's a fully supported event. Day one begins with a mass start, and then you walk at your own pace. The route closes between 4 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, depending on mileage. On day two, you can begin walking between 6:30 and 8 a.m.
    
12. Can I bring my dog?
    While we appreciate that many people enjoy walking with their pets, your dog will have to spend the weekend of the Challenge Walk MS at a canine retreat. Pets cannot participate in Challenge Walk MS.
13. What if I've already started fundraising but need to cancel my registration?
    Since we know the reason you're doing this event is to raise funds to fight multiple sclerosis, the Society will gladly accept your donations and provide tax receipts for them.
14. What should I tell my friends and family members who want to be a part of Challenge Walk MS but don’t want to walk?
    They sound like the perfect candidates for the Challenge Walk MS Crew! Being a Crew member is a uniquely rewarding experience. Crew members are the backbone of Challenge Walk MS. They help drive trucks, run rest stops, deliver luggage, mark the route and more. They're part of the challenge every step of the way: sleeping, eating and working with the walkers until the final step across the finish line. The registration fee for Crew varies depending on when you register, and Crew members receive all the benefits of a walker, including meals, T-shirts and even a medal! Although Crew members aren't required to raise money, we appreciate it when they do. For more information about being a Crew member, contact Will at 612-335-7992 or will.ziegenhagen@nmss.org.
15. What happens if I’m unable to raise the minimum $750 by the day of the walk?
    We have many great fundraising ideas listed on our fundraising page. Also, Society staff are happy to provide other ideas to help you achieve the minimum. If a participant is unable to raise $750 on or before Sept. 20, they'll be required to charge the remaining balance to a credit card or will be unable to participate.
16. I’ve already registered for Challenge Walk MS; can I still form a team?
    No problem! Training for the event and collecting donations is always easier, and more fun, when you have team members to help. Contact the Society at 800-582-5296 or specialevents@MSsociety.org today to make yourself a team captain — and together we can all take another step forward in the fight against MS. 
17. What if my question isn't answered on this page?
    We are here to make sure you have all the tools you need to prepare for this event. If you have more questions, please contact the Society at 800-582-5296 or specialevents@MSsociety.org You never know who else may have the same question you do. We'll get back to you, and use your feedback to add to this page.

GENERAL

1. I forgot my Username and Password.
   Remember that your username and password are case sensitive. Find your password. You will receive an e-mail with your username and password. If you still have problems, please contact us.
   
   
2. How do I change my Username and/or Password?
   First, login to the site using your username and password. Once logged in you will see a link at the top of the page called "Update My Profile." Once in your profile, you will be able to change your contact information, e-mail address, username and password. All changes will be made to your account immediately. There is no need to sign in again.
   
   
3. How do I unsubscribe from email?
   Toward the bottom of each email message there is a link stating, "Click here to unsubscribe from this email message." Click this link and follow the instructions given to unsubscribe. If you decide to unsubscribe from email, you will no longer receive important information about Challenge Walk MS.

4. How do I find my ID number?
   It is the seven digit number above your name on all mailings you receive from the National MS Society. It is also located on the homepage of your participant center. Still can't find it? Contact us.

ABOUT MY PARTICIPANT CENTER

1. What is a personal page?
   A personal page is an online promotional tool for your use when asking your friends and family to join your team or sponsor you by making a donation. Once you sign up for an event online, by default, a personal page is created for you. You have the option of personalizing this page by going to your Participant Center. You will be able to customize images, text and the style/color layout of the page. You can even have a blog on your page to update donors on your journey! 
   
   
2. By default I have a personal page; do I have to change it?
   Once you sign up for an event online, a default personal page is created for you. A compelling personal page attracts and engages supporters. While you can spread the word using customized e-mail solicitations, your personal campaign page can be your own creative expression of your commitment to the cause. Customize your page by selecting the layout and style that work best for you. Utilize the elements of text, photo and status indicators to their fullest advantage.
   
   
3. How do I change my personal fundraising goal?
   First, you will need to login to your Participant Center. On the bottom right side of the Participant Center home page is the location to modify your personal fundraising goal. Enter your new goal and submit the changes.
   
   
4. How can I see who has pledged me or made a donation to my account?
   Login to the site using your Username and Password. Go to your Participant Center and click the "My Progress" tab; this will allow you to view your donor list and any amounts that have been donated.
   
   
5. What is the difference between making my personal page private or public?
   By default a personal page is public, meaning your name will appear in the participant search list, and anyone accessing the site will be able to support you. Setting your personal page to private means your name will not appear in the participant search list, and only people you personally invite will be able to support you.
   
   
6. How can I see who is on my team?
   Log in to the site using your Username and Password. Go to your Participant Center and click the "Team Progress" tab; this will allow you to view your team roster and the amounts raised by each team member.
   
   
7. How do I change a team message?
   Simply go to your Participant Center and click the "Update Message to Team" button. This will allow you to make all necessary changes to your team message.
   
   
8. What is an unconfirmed gift?
   One exciting feature of your Participant Center allows you to record cash or checks that that someone has given or promised you. The system adds these offline gifts to fundraising amounts that display on your Personal Page, My Progress page and Team Page, if you are a member of a team. All cash, check and pay-later gifts that you enter are unconfirmed until the MS Society receives payment and marks them confirmed. Credit card gifts are confirmed immediately. To make sure we accurately confirm offline gifts, it’s extremely important that you follow specific rules when entering cash, checks or pay-later gifts into your gift summary. Read the rules.