Yellowstone, USA: Elderhostels Good Option for Mature Solos

If you are a physically fit baby-boomer like me, you might be thinking that you are still too young for Elderhostel. Or maybe you’ve never even heard of Elderhostel. Sounds like “youth hostel”—right? The founders purposely chose the name “Elderhostel,” because they were inspired by the youth hostel concept—safe, affordable lodgings and opportunities to meet fellow travelers.

Having worked in the field of education, the founders also wanted to combine travel with stimulating educational opportunities. With these principles in mind, they established Elderhostel as a nonprofit organization way back in 1975.

In the early years, Elderhostel programs were offered only within the USA and Canada, and usually took place on college campuses. But the organization has grown exponentially and now offers nearly 8,000 programs each year around the world to adults 55 years of age and older!

Elderhostel programs fall into different categories that appeal to different interests. Some of the options listed by category include:

• Active Outdoor: hiking, bicycling, skiing, dogsled mushing, water sports
• Discover: exploring national parks, signature cities, festivals
• Individual Skills: art, music, languages, cooking
• Intergenerational: with grandchildren
• Liberal Arts: short courses in social sciences, philosophy and religion
• Service Learning: community service projects, building housing, restoring forest habitats

The programs are rated by activity level, and I was surprised to see that activity levels 4-6 are actually quite vigorous. Level 4 requires participants to be able to handle 3-5 hours of physical activity per day and walk three to five miles at a 2.5 mile per hour pace over uneven ground. Level 5 ups the ante to six hours of strenuous, moderate to fast-paced activity per day, equivalent to hiking six miles at a three-mile-per hour pace over varied terrain.

Have you tried taking any six-mile hikes at that rate of speed recently? I’ve gone on similar hikes with some much younger people and it’s been a good challenge for all of us. Elderhostel’s top activity level requires some minimum level of expertise in the particular program activity, plus full days of fast-paced, strenuous physical challenges.

Since I do love to hike, a level 5 program would have been an optimum choice for me.