This information is on the ways to earn a Sons of Norway Sports Medal

We love promoting Norwegians’ national philosophy of the friluftsliv (outdoor life)! The lodge offers a Sports Medal Program - a fun, flexible way for members of all fitness levels to stay active and get rewarded! Each participant chooses their own activities, so one can earn medals in walking (Gangmerke), biking (Sykkelmerke) and sports & fitness (Idrettsmerke, which includes a whole list of other sports).  

Record Cards 

For keeping track of the points toward a sports medals, go to the “Sports Medal Program”: https://www.sofn.com/member_resources/cultural_programming/sports_medal_program/ and download a record card. Please note, you need to log on using your SON member information to access the forms. If you need your member number, contact Marie Hansen at database@NorwayDC.org. 

Instructions 

Here’s how the program works using walking (Gangmerke) as an example: once you have a copy of the Gangmerke record card, find your age group and medal level, starting with bronze and moving on to the silver, gold and enamel.

Age                       Bronze                   Silver               Gold         Enamel 

0-14 & 15-39        100-150*           195-300       290 -450  390-600 

40-54               125                           255               380                 510 

55-69               105                           210               315                 420 

70+               100                           180                     270                 360 

*Note: Units are in MILES 

2. Each time you take a walk, log the date, distance in miles, and the location. Then initial the Record Card).

3. Keep filling out the forms for several months until you reach your goal and submit it to the Sports Director Sharon Hestvik.  Sharon will then order your medals, which are provided at NO cost by Sons of Norway. The medals will be presented to you during one of the SON monthly meetings! 

How Often Can You Earn a Medal? 

You can earn more than one medal per year but they must be earned in consecutive order. You must first earn the bronze medal, next the silver, then the gold, and finally the enamel. Every time you complete a medal, you will start over with zero points towards the next one. 

Two More Levels of Accomplishment 

In addition to bronze, silver, gold, and enamel pins, the Sports Medal program has added two more levels of accomplishment. Members who have earned the Bronze through Enamel pins in any sport category can start earning the “Idrettshelt”, or Sports Hero medal. Members must earn twice as many points or miles as the enamel pin to earn an Idrettshelt medal. If a member earns bronze, silver, gold, and enamel pins in three different categories, they qualify for the Hederspris medal, the Outstanding Achievement award.