In 2010, Road Scholar was formed from the former nonprofit Elderhostel.
With changing world dynamics the educational travel organization felt that it needed to update its mission and reach. After changing their name to Road Scholar and eliminating an age requirement, all adults with a desire for life long learning can enroll in some truly unique programs.
Along with the new name comes a streamlined online catalog so participants may easily choose from thousands of available trips. Explore “Intergenerational” learning experiences, bringing together children and their grandparents. Active Outdoor Adventure programs for those in their thirties and service programs in challenged areas. Their new mission is to empower adults to explore the world’s places, peoples, cultures and ideas, and in so doing to discover more about themselves. Governmental ties allow educational trips in areas not previously allowed such as travel to Cuba from Miami. Scholarships are sometimes available for those on a limited income.
You can search categories such as “Budget Friendly”, “Most Popular” and “Last Minute” trips. From tours in New England to observation of terra cotta warriors and endangered Pandas of Xi’an China you will be amazed by the variety of possibilities on this website.
Learn more about Road Scholar’s programs by clicking here:
Road Scholar Timeline 1974-2013
>>> 1974: Elderhostel co-founder Marty Knowlton returns from a four-year walking tour of Europe where he learned firsthand about youth hostels and Scandinavian folk schools. Knowlton shares his travel stories with longtime friend David Bianco. Through a series of lively discussions, Elderhostel is born
>>> 1975: 220 “pioneer” Elderhostel participants take their first Elderhostel programs on a handful of college campuses in New Hampshire
>>> 1976: 21 colleges in six states offer 69 Elderhostel programs to 2,000 enrollees
>>> 1977: Elderhostel is established as an independent not-for-profit organization. A Board of Directors is formed
>>> 1980: Elderhostel programs are offered in all 50 U.S. states and in most Canadian provinces, and operate in months other than summer, opening the way for year-round programming. More than 20,000 individuals participate
>>> 1988: The first Elderhostel programs are offered in China. Elderhostel establishes the Elderhostel Institute Network to support the Institute for Learning in Retirement movement
>>> 1993: Elderhostel’s Great Britain and Ireland offices open
>>> 2000: Elderhostel launches its first capital campaign, Share the Journey, The Elderhostel Campaign for Lifelong Learning, to help fund the headquarters building in Boston, new program development, and the upgrade of technology infrastructure
>>> 2005: Elderhostel celebrates its 30th year of operation with a special series of 30th Anniversary programs and celebratory events in the UK and at Elderhostel’s Boston headquarters. They designate the anniversary year as the “Year of the Instructor”
>>> 2010: Elderhostel renames its programs Road Scholar. “Road” connotes a journey and real-world experience, and “Scholar” reflects a deep appreciation for learning. Together the words capture the heart of our program experience: learning from expert instructors, enhanced by direct discovery of an idea, issue, subject or place
>>> 2011: Road Scholar is granted a “People to People” license by the Department of Treasury to operate learning adventures in Cuba
>>> 2012: For participants who want more independent time and a few meals on their own, Road Scholar creates a new line of programs, “FLEX.” And “Family” programs for three generations make their debut in the U.S. and abroad