The aspect of adventure is very appealing. More than 275,000 people each year pluck adventure from a voluminous catalog listing 10,000 programs offered by Elderhostel, the granddaddy of schools for seniors. Participants flock to 1,900 Elderhostel sites in more than 75 countries. The average Elderhosteler is 72. More women show up than men, mirroring demographics of the population over 55, the minimum age to sign up.
Some participants bring a younger partner, adult child or friend.
Intergenerational programs, designed to include grandkids or other children, are also on the slate, as are charitable projects to provide such services as building homes for the poor. Some Elderhostelers meet and marry. Others create friendships that extend for life. Virtually everyone expands their horizons. That much TV isn t for me.