Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is this program really free?

Yes, Walk Across Texas! is 100% FREE.

2. Who is this program for?

Anyone can use this program. We have tailored our materials and information for schools and work sites such as companies, government offices, colleges, hospitals, etc ...located in Texas. We are always interested in working with other states and organizations too.

If you need a successful, physical activity program, please feel free to contact us.

3. Why have competition?

Teams from your organization compete to determine which team walks (1) the approximate 830 miles from the East to the West Texas borders, or (2) the greatest number of miles.

Competition between teams helps members keep going when they feel like quitting. "Winning" is certainly a goal, but establishing the habit of regular daily walking is the real objective. To minimize the focus on "winning," some groups recommend putting the name of every team that finishes the 830 miles into a "hat" and then drawing one to three winning teams for special recognition.

4. How far does each person need to walk every week if a team is to make it the 830 miles across Texas?

For teams of 8, each person needs to average about 13 miles per week. Some people walk more and others less. Gradually work to increase your mileage to avoid injury.

5. Do I have to walk or can I do other types of physical activity?

You can do just about any type of physical activity or exercise and compete in Walk Across Texas!

Click here to use our convenient mileage equivalent calculator and estimate how far you walked.

6. Do we all have to walk at the same time?

Team members do not need to walk together unless they want to do so. Treadmills are okay. Other aerobic activities may be converted to miles using our convenient mileage equivalent calculator.

7. What if we want to change a few of the rules?

Changing or adding your own special touches are okay.

Just do the same for everyone in your group, and let all know about the changes before you start.

8. How can we see our team's progress?

Members pool their mileage each week to help their team move across either a paper road map or the on-line map on our website. If a paper map is used, generally, no more than the top 10 teams can be shown each week.

9. Who's in charge around here? Who runs this program?

Walk Across Texas! is an educational program of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Leadership for this program is provided by Dr. Carol Rice, Extension Health Specialist, and Ms. Alice Kirk, Child Health Specialist–Family Development and Resource Management (2009).

For more information, please contact us.

Click here to download the Walk Across Texas! Impact Brief (pdf)

10. Can you tell me how Walk Across Texas! works for a company or work site?

Someone in your organization will be appointed as the Site Manager for Walk Across Texas. The Site Manager will find Team Captains. The Team Captains then recruit seven people for their team.

Once teams of eight are formed, a "Kick-Off" event marks the beginning of the program. People walk together or individually, outside or at a mall or gym, on a treadmill - any way that fits their lifestyle. Teams compete for eight weeks to see which one walks the 830 miles across the state first and which one walks the greatest amount of miles.

Team Captains report their team members' mileage each week, and it is posted on an on-line map or on a Texas road map somewhere in your organization. Some groups sponsor an activity after four weeks to keep everyone motivated. Everyone is recognized for their accomplishments at the "Recognition" activity at the end of the eight weeks.

Click here to find out more.

Need Help? Click here to find your county agent and they will help you get started.

11. I am a teacher, can you tell me how your program will work for schools?

Increase children’s physical activity level with Walk Across Texas in schools. Your class can walk across Texas together—on a map or here on our website. This is a great way to help children get excited about being more active.

Click here to find out more.

Need Help? Click here to find your county agent and they will help you get started.

12. I want to walk by myself. Is that OK?

Yes, you can walk by yourself, but we highly encourage you to be a part of a team.

Results have shown that participants that are a part of a team are more likely to form a regular habit of exercise.

Team members help to motivate and encourage you to Walk Across Texas!

Click here to find out more.

1. Why do we need all of these forms and records?

Each form does have an important function. The Registration Form documents your baseline activity information and lets us know you have checked with your doctor. You write down miles every time you walk because doing this helps you be successful, as well as accurate. The Wrap-up Form helps us learn ways to improve for next time and whether or not the program helps.

Please let us know your comments. Entering "Success Stories" helps us know specific ways the program helped you.

2. Do we need to complete the “Team Registration” Form?

YES! The Team Registration Form is the only record your County Extension Agent has of your team members names and e-mail addresses. Without this form, certificates cannot be produced.

3. Can we fill out the Individual Forms on-line?

The Individual Forms can be completed online BUT CARE must be taken to be sure the County, City, Area, Team Composition, and Team Name are the same for all members of the team.

The Team Captain may check team registrations by clicking the “CORRECT TEAM REGISTRATION” link in the Quick Links for team captains. If all of your team member names do not appear, a mistake was made while entering the above information. Please e-mail Server Administration with the County, Team Name, and missing member name(s) before re-registering the team member.

4. I made a mistake on one of my team member’s registration form. Should I register her/him again or can I make corrections?

You can make corrections in a team member’s registration by clicking the “CORRECT TEAM REGISTRATION” link in the Quick Links for team captains.

5. Is there someone I can contact for help?

If you are having technical problems, indicated by an error message, please contact the technical support representative listed on our contact us page.

Be sure to include the error message in your email.

For all other problems and questions about the Walk Across Texas program and its procedures, please contact your County Agent.

6. I am the Team Captain and forgot my password. Who can contact for help?

You should contact your County Agent. Please include your County, Team Name and Captains name with your message.

7. I tried to register and received an error statement, what should I do?

If you are having technical problems, indicated by an error message, please contact the technical support representative listed on our contact us page.

Be sure to include the error message in your email.

8. When registering I receive an error saying “Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers error '80040e07'[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server] Syntax error converting the varchar value '2-3' to a column of data type int.” What does this mean?

The “2-3” indicates you entered a range of numbers “2-3” in one of the questions asking for how many days or how many minutes you do a particular activity. The answers to these questions should be a single number, in this case either a 2 or a 3.

9. I registered my team but their names are not listed when I try to add our miles.

Only properly registered team members will be listed on the page where miles (or pounds lost) are updated.  The Captain’s name will appear the first time followed by the order in which the other team members were registered.  All team members must be properly registered for their names to appear.

Contact Alice Kirk or Server Administrator and include your County, Team Name, Captain’s Name, Name of Team Member to be replaced and New Team Member’s name.

10. One of our team members decided not to participate after we registered. We have a replacement but can’t figure out how to change the names.

Go to the “CORRECT TEAM REGISTRATION” link on the Quick Links for Team Captains. Pull up your team and click the View Listing button by the team member who is to be changed.  Replace the old team member’s information with that of the new team member.

Contact Alice Kirk or Cancer Server Administration and include your County, Team Name, Captain’s Name, Name of Team Member to be replaced and New Team Member’s name.