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Questions & Answers
What is Elderhostel?
Elderhostel offers you a multitude of opportunities to explore stimulating
ideas and fascinating places across the U.S. and around the world. Learning
is at the core of every program. Knowledgeable, engaging faculty and local
experts set the stage for discovery with background lectures and discussions.
Educational field trips, excursions and a variety of activities take you
behind the scenes to gain an insider’s perspective on our rich history
and heritage, culture and environment. Your fellow participants come from
many walks of life to share an active exchange of ideas that often leads
to making new friends. You’ll also have free time to pursue your
favorite interests or just relax.
As a not-for-profit organization, Elderhostel is committed to providing
high-quality learning experiences at remarkable value. Our programs,
unlike tourist groups or commercial tours, are all-inclusive. We provide
your courses, accommodations and meals, experienced Group Leaders, and
group travel during the program, as well as insurance,
gratuities and taxes where applicable.
Who is Elderhostel for?
Elderhostel is for adults who love to learn for learning's sake. Elderhostel
provides a memorable learning experience in an informal and friendly environment.
If you enjoy exploring new ideas and places, and meeting interesting people
who share your interests and love of learning, then Elderhostel will be
perfect for you.
Are there any academic requirements?
None at all! Our educational adventures are designed to be an introduction
to a variety of subjects and do not require any formal knowledge or prior
training in the fields they explore. There is no homework, nor are there
exams or grades. Regardless of your background and experience, you will
be able to participate in any Elderhostel program you choose. Read more
here.
Do I have to be a member to participate in Elderhostel? Is there a membership
fee?
Elderhostel is not a membership organization, and there is no membership
fee. To be an Elderhosteler, all you have to do is enroll in an Elderhostel
program.
Do single people go to Elderhostel programs?
Absolutely! There are many single people who participate in our programs.
We often hear from Elderhostelers who say that they look forward to attending
programs because they are excited to meet friendly people who share similar
interests. At Elderhostel programs, the atmosphere is very warm and social,
and singles quickly become part of a congenial group. This kinship has
resulted in many long-lasting friendships. In fact, many Elderhostelers
currently attend programs with friends whom they first met on a previous
Elderhostel program. Read more here.
I would like to request single accommodations. Is it possible to have
a single room?
Yes. Almost 90 percent of our programs in the U.S. and Canada offer single
rooms and most international programs offer single accommodations as well.
We can't guarantee a single room for all of our programs, but if you request
one, the program coordinator will make every attempt to accommodate you.
There is usually an additional charge for a single room.
I am attending on my own, but would like to share aroom. May I have a
roommate?
Of course! If you attend a program on your own and have not requested
a single room, the program coordinator will assign a roommate to you.
Elderhostelers who opt to share a room with a roommate do not have to
pay a single supplement in the event that there aren't enough roommates
to go around.
What kinds of accommodations does Elderhostel provide?
From well-appointed city hotels to country inns, from conference and
retreat centers to lodges, cabins aboard vessels, and even safari tents,
Elderhostel accommodations are comfortable, pleasant and well-suited
to the program. Most programs offer single room options, and almost
all accommodations – whether single or double – offer private
bathrooms. Generally, Elderhostel groups stay in comfortable motels,
hotels or conference center facilities. Some of our college- and university-based
programs utilize pleasant on-campus housing, such as graduate student
or faculty apartments or suites, and a very few use dormitories (those
that do utilize modern facilities). The program descriptions in our
catalogs provide detailed information about the accommodations for each
program. That way, you can choose the locales and lodging that are most
comfortable for you. Read more here.
Are there provisions for disabilities?
Our goal is to accommodate everyone who wants to take part in Elderhostel.
We will work with you if you have special needs or dietary requests,
and provide specific information regarding the suitability and functionality
of accommodations, physical demands of the program, and availability
of special menus. If you have a question, please contact us by calling
toll-free 1-800-454-5768 or attach a note to your registration form.
Our TTY line, (877) 426-2167, is available for the hearing impaired.
Our customer service staff will help you find the programs that fulfill
your needs. Read more here.
What is the Elderhostel Institute Network?
The Elderhostel Institute Network is a community-based organization
of retirement-age people who share a love of learning. Each Lifelong
Learning Institute is sponsored by a college or university as a center
for intellectual and social activity for older adults. The members themselves
plan the curriculum, often lead the courses, and contribute in many
other ways to running the organization. For more information please
go to the Elderhostel
Institute Network page or email
us.
How do I get more information about Elderhostel?
We're always ready to answer your questions. Call us toll-free 1-800-454-5768
(hearing-impaired Elderhostelers with TTY equipment call toll-free 1-877-426-2167)
from 9 am - 6 pm, ET, Monday - Friday (major holidays excluded). Outside
the US or Canada, call 1-978-323-4141, or fax us at 1-617-426-0701.
You can also email us or write to us:
Elderhostel
11 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111-1746
What is the cost of an Elderhostel program in the
U.S. or Canada, and what is included?
In general, U.S. & Canada program costs average around $115 per day.
Elderhostel tuition is all-inclusive and covers registration, accommodations,
meals, lectures, field trips and cultural excursions, and often a variety
of extracurricular activities and social functions. There are no hidden
costs. Programs in the U.S. & Canada require you to provide your own
transportation to get to the program site, but once you are there your
tuition covers all required costs. Tuition for most international programs
includes round-trip airfare from the U.S.
What catalogs do you publish?
Our nearly 8,000 programs are arranged into three catalogs: U.S. &
Canada, International and Adventures Afloat, which are each published
four times a year.
Can I support Elderhostel by making a contribution?
Yes. Like colleges, universities and other educational not-for-profit
organizations, Elderhostel depends on contributions to defray expenses
not covered by tuition revenue. Charitable gifts are vital to our financial
health and perpetuate our founding mission that programs remain affordable
and available to all older adults who wish to participant. The
Annual Fund and Planned
Giving are two ways of supporting Elderhostel.
The programs are so varied. How will I know if
the activity level is appropriate for me?
Our catalogs contain program and site descriptions that detail the activity
level, the terrain, type of facilities provided and other factor for
all of our offerings. For example, the catalog description for a bicycle
program will note the number of miles per day that participants should
be able to pedal, as well as the terrain that will be covered. A program
located in a mountainous area will include mention of the altitude at
which you will be staying, and whether the campus has numerous stairs
or hilly terrain. If you have concerns about your ability to participate
in certain activities or environments, please consult with your physician
before enrolling in a program. Read more here.
Can Elderhostel accommodate my special diet requirements?
We'll be happy to check whether a particular program site can accommodate
the more common requests, such as low-salt or kosher meals. While there
are no guarantees, some program sites are able to accommodate these
requests, as long as they receive sufficient notice prior to the start
of the program. Contact us with your inquiry.
How do I register for a program?
You can register by mail using the registration form in the Elderhostel
catalog. You can also register by telephone. We look forward to helping
you to enroll in your programs and are happy to answer your questions
by telephone. Just give us a call toll-free at 1-800-454-5768, Monday
through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and we'll be glad to assist
you. You can also register online! Our website's on-line catalogs help
you to quickly search out a program by season, subject and location.
You can also check program availability and use the online registration
form to enroll. Read more here.
Do you offer scholarships?
We make every effort to keep program costs as low as possible, but realize
our moderate prices are still beyond the means of some people who want
to participate. We have set aside a limited number of scholarships for
programs in the continental U.S. Scholarships do not cover travel and
may be used within the general area where recipients reside. Residents
of Alaska and Hawaii may apply for scholarships to attend programs in
their home states. For more information on scholarships, please write
to: Elderhostel Scholarships, 11 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111-1746.
Can I pay for a program by credit card?
Yes, Elderhostel accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover
for your deposit as well as your program balance.
Elderhostel programs seem like a quite a bargain.
What's the catch?
There is no catch. We are a not-for-profit organization committed to
providing high-quality educational opportunities to older adults, at
affordable prices. Elderhostel programs are offered at modest and reasonable
cost, and our focus is on providing the best learning experience and
value for your tuition dollars. The many cultural and learning institutions
that make up the Elderhostel community share this commitment.
My group is interesting in chartering a program
for our exclusive use. How do we proceed?
Elderhostel Charter
programs are ideal for all groups - ranging from clubs to alumni
groups to family reunions. EMail
us: Mail us or write: Elderhostel, Charter programs, 11 Avenue de LaFayette,
Boston, MA 02111-1746.
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July 24, 2008
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