Elderhostel offers unique travel opportunities

Zoomer | January 1st, 2006

Elderhostel is a non-profit educational organization that offers students 55 years and older a unique and interesting way to see the world. The organization runs inexpensive, short term academic programs, hosted by educational institutions around the globe. While taking a course in a wide range of subjects, participants live on college and university campuses and exotic locales like marine biology field stations and environmental study centres. They also get to enjoy all the cultural and recreational resources that go with them.

Elderhostel was started in 1975 by Marty Knowlton, a social activist and educator, who linked the European hosteling concept with the residential emphasis of Scandinavian Folk Schools. The result was a new kind of learning program for older adults. Only individuals 55 years of age and older are eligible, but a spouse or adult companion may attend with an age eligible participant. Elderhostel encourages diversity and welcomes people of all races, colors and religions.

Elderhostel has grown from a few hundred hostelers on a handful of New England college campuses to an international network of more than 2,300 participating institutions, in every prince and U.S. state as well as over 70 foreign countries. Last year, more than a quarter of a million people enrolled in the program.

To receive Elderhostel’s International and Service catalogs, call (617) 426-8056 or mail your request to: Elderhostel Catalog Department IH, 75 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110-1941.