Senior Camp

Elderhostel:
A Young Idea
Eiderhostet was founded in 1975

Older adults
are enjoying
an educational
camp experience
through the
Elderhostel
program.

SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to The Jewish News

1/23
1998

84

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ferent points of view, had pleasant
dith and Bernard Zaffern
surroundings, enjoyed kosher food
had different vacation ideas
and found the whole experience very
last summer. She wanted to
relaxing," Bernard Zaffern said. "It's
attend the Fresh Air
not demanding, and its not strenu-
Society Elderhostel; he wasn't con-
ous."
vinced.
The five-day program also
Working out a compro-
encouraged the couple to
mise, however, did not take
Dr. Ray
walk in the countryside, par-
long. They agreed to try the
Rosenthal of
ticipate in games and plan a
Eastern
educational program but leave
talent show.
Michigan
early if at least one of them
This year, the Fresh Air
University leads
did not like it.
Society
will hold its eighth
an Elderhostel
After all, the topics sound-
Elderhostel
season. Topics
ed interesting — archaeologi- session at ButzeL
range from "The Concept of
cal finds related to the Old
the Messiah in Jewish and
Testament and medical ethics
Christian Traditions" to "Samuel
— and the facility was only 45 miles
Beckett and the Post Holocaust
away, at the Butzel Conference-.
Imagination."
Center near Ortonville.
Participants can choose from six
To their delight, not only did they
five-day sessions, which-start June 7-
like it, they felt comfortable about
12 and conclude Oct. 18-24.
recommending it to others.
"We mainly have topics that cover
"We were exposed to a lot of dif-

by Marty Knowlton, a social
activist and former educator, and
David Bianco, a university admin-
istrator.
Knowlton had been impressed
by the youth hostel concept
because the simple lodgings
afforded travelers a safe, inexpen-
sive place to stay and an opportu-
nity to meet fellow travelers from
around the world.
He also was taken with
European folk schools, where
older adults hand down age-old
traditions — art, music, lore and
dance — to younger generations.
Knowlton got together with
long-time friend Bianco, then the
director of residential life at the
University of New Harnpshire,
and recounted his experiences
abroad. Their discussions led to
the creation of ElderhosteL'