Remember Elderhostel? That learning program company where you needed to be old and stay in a dorm room? It’s gone.
On first glance, I always thought I would sign up for one of their programs. After I turned 50 and was a full-fle
dged AARP member, I had fun perusing the Elderhostel catalog of adventures that someday I would qualify for. (You had to be 55.)
Upon qualifying however, it was the thought of the community shower room, bad mattress and beng with a lot of very old people that caused second, third and finally – no thoughts at all to actually attending anything they offered.
While “retirement” conjures up a stodgy set of perspectives many of us can’t fathom for ourselves (rocking chair, shuffle board, perpetual bingo), so does the word “elder.” Likely there were some hot and heavy debates about ditching a name like Elderhostel considering its strong brand image, the company’s success and history of 34 years.
Exploritas is the new name. How do you pronounce Exploritas? Just combine “explore” with “veritas,” the Latin word for truth, and you get Exploritas.
After they ditched the age requirement and donned a new name, there was a bit of a flap. Here’s what their President, James Moses said to clear it all up:
The widely circulated and erroneous idea that we will be seeking new participants as young as 21 has become a lightning rod, and has led to a false fear that our programs will be overrun with overly energetic 20- and 30-year-olds. The simple message is that we won’t be actively seeking any participants younger than Baby Boomers, but neither will we be turning away any adult who loves lifelong learning.
He goes on to say they will be targeting participants in their 50s,60s, 70s,80s and beyond. (Do you like that beyond part?)
With the popularity of hybrid sabbaticals – a career break or gap year designed to combine two or more sabbatical experiences such as learning, family, adventure – those who want to avoid the energetic will find several benefits to Exploritas:
- The special section on Intergeneration programs will have great appeal to Boomers. What better experience than to leave the parents at home, but take the grand kids! You might spend two weeks in a global operations experience then add in a trip with Exploritas with the grandkids!
- Individuals can combine exploring intellectual stimulation and lifelong learning. Ambassador Andrew Young (Andy, if you’re from Georgia.) is one of the Exploritas experts.
- There are Service Programs for those who want to exercise their volunteer spirits while in a new culture.
According to Frommer, this organization is the largest tour operator in the world. And with an average cost of $125 a day, it’s one of the more affordable. Listen to Frommer’s radio interview with President James Moses here.
They couldn’t quite get rid of Eldershostel (that’s still the name of the company, but their programs are now Exploritas). Still, Exploritas isall about healthy aging at its best – innovative lifelong learning programs. Think Elderhostal – upscale goose down pillows, right out of the spa with a tiny shot of Viagra.
Yet - not for the under fifty crowd. You young goats just click on. Click on.
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