With Elderhostel programs you have access to programs at universities, national parks, museums, conference centers and other learning sites in the U.S., Canada and over 90 other countries around the world. Each program consists of 1 to 4 weeks of engaging learning adventures, including lectures, discussions, field trips and activities. This is learning for the sheer joy of it. There are no tests or assignments.

The spectacular success of our programs is based on the simple fact that learning is a lifelong process that is rewarding at every age. Inspired by the youth hostels and folk schools of Europe, but guided by the needs of older citizens, Elderhostel opportunities are for elders reaching out for new experiences.

• Elderhostel programs gives older adults the opportunity to remain mentally active. The educational courses and discussions in an Elderhostel program are substantive and thought-provoking.
• Our programs are varied in both their location and content. You can attend a program in your hometown or across the globe, in a classroom, aboard a ship or in the mountains. You could study literature, art, science, music or participate in a service program. Your choices are endless.
• Elderhostel participants (hostelers) are a group of people who have a passion for learning and a sense of adventure. Most hostelers enjoy their Elderhostel programs so much that they return again and again.
• Elderhostel programs and participants promote a friendly and social atmosphere from orientation to the closing of the program. You'll be surprised how quickly you make new friends.

You’ll soon realize that every Elderhostel program is unique. They take place almost everywhere and address almost any subject. They are as varied in format as the subjects they cover. Whether you wish to study in a classroom or a laboratory, aboard ship or in the mountains, in urban settings or in small towns, we have a program for you. This remarkable diversity invites hostelers to enroll again and again.

Learning just for the fun of it

Our programs are designed for older adults of all educational levels, and most courses have no prerequisites. All that is required is an inquisitive mind, an adventurous spirit and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong activities.

This is not a pre-packaged group tour. It is a stimulating group learning experience. You'll find yourself with all kinds of people, from those who never finished high school to those with a number of impressive degrees. The common interest in the subject is what brings you all together. We offer a wide range of programs, encompassing subjects from Gershwin to Bach, archeology to meteorology and film-making to bread baking. There are no exams, no grades and no required homework. Your motivation is your own desire to know more.

Be a part of the Elderhostel community

Any veteran hosteler will tell you that the Elderhostel community is very special. You'll be amazed at how quickly strangers become friends as you share classes, interests, meals and free time. New friendships often last beyond the program; in fact, many hostelers reunite in programs year after year.

Our instructors are often members of the faculty at the participating institutions. They are experts in their fields, selected for their knowledge of the subject area and their desire to participate in the Elderhostel experience.

Every program has its own Elderhostel coordinator who will be with you throughout your entire stay. The coordinator helps develop the program and oversees all aspects of the experience, making sure it is up to our high standards and your high expectations. Working directly with you from the very start, your coordinator will be the one who sends you the program information, arranges accommodations and organizes the meals, classes and field trips.

Time flies when....

While some are longer, programs in the U.S. and Canada run five to six days during all seasons of the year, and often include classes, field trips, social activities and plenty of time to relax and enjoy. The week usually begins on Sunday and ends on either a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning with a farewell meal and graduation. Programs typically accommodate 10-50 hostelers, with an average size of about 30. Classes are small enough to give you individual attention, yet large enough for you to meet, interact and learn from fellow hostelers, as well as your instructors.