from Dianne Osberg, Elderhostel Canada
Elderhostel programs are truly an opportunity for retired people to meet new friends and easily fit into a group. An interest in a particular field of study and/or a yen to visit a special geographic area are the two attractions that draw mature adventurers from all over North America to an Elderhostel program. A sense of curiosity and a thirst to learn are generally the only things that course members have in common. Of course, with an age guideline of fifty plus, it is to be expected that a wealth of life experiences will contribute to lively discussions during class time.
The mandate of Elderhostel Canada is to offer week-long educational experiences in a variety of locations throughout the country. Accommodation, meals, classes and extracurricular activities are all inclusive in the tuition fee (for the average fee of $385, one can expect six night accommodation, three academic courses, all meals, extra curricular activities, and good companionship).
A wide variety of subjects are available in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. The Canadian Hosteling Association in both Banff and Lake Louise have opened their newly renovated lodges to numerous Elderhostel experiences. For those who enjoy an outdoor experience, various levels of cross-country skiing are offered. Other winter sports programs include Dog Sledding, Snow Shoeing and Downhill Skiing. In-door winter courses include Mountain Photography at the U of C Kananaskis Field station, Journal and Memoir writing at Black Cat Ranch in Hinton, and Art and Mythology of the Plains Indians at the Banff Y Mountain Lodge.
A significantly popular winter Elderhostel site is the Jasper Park Lodge. The tempting array of indoor class selections include watercolour painting with film producer Wendy Wacko, "Call of the Canadian Wild" with naturalist Doug McCaughey, "Theater History - From Aeschylus to Tennessee Williams" with professor Dennis McCaughey, and T'ai Chi with Joy Herbert. Other subjects include History of Western Canada, Early Days of Jasper, Photography of the Mountains, Greenhouse Gardening, Kitchen Magicians, Science of Wines, and Ecology of the Rockies.
In the planning stage for spring is a new program designed specially for women. The Canadian Alpine Centre and the International Hotel at Lake Louise have developed a course called Trails of Discovery: A Program for Women. At the centre of discussion will be a variety of topics related to women of yesterday and today. Educational lectures, workshops and field trips will focus on Women Adventures and Pioneers of the Canadian Rockies, Holstic Health and Fitness, and Mother Nature: Ecology and Conservation. Complementing the week will be Parks Canada presentations, crafts, walks and easy hikes, and story telling.
More details on these and other programs can be found in the Elderhostel Winter Catalogue. To obtain a copy, write to Elderhostel Canada at 308 Wellington Street, Kingston, Ontario, K7K 7A7 or call the Elderhostel Regional Office at (403) 949-2165.
