For our community of supporters who believe learning is the journey of a lifetime
A Lifetime of Learning
Gayle B. Thanks Road Scholar for Giving Her the World
Setting foot on Spanish soil in the spring of 2000 was the first of more than 50 Road Scholar learning adventures that Road Scholar supporter Gayle B. and her husband, Steve, experienced during their 64-year marriage. By foot, bicycle and barge, the couple’s journey spanned not only continents but decades. From petting whales in Baja, biking dirt paths in five European countries, a safari in Kenya, trying salted cod in Iceland and watching ballet shoes sewn in Cuba, Gayle’s journey has been one of beauty, growth and change. “Giving back is my way of thanking Road Scholar for all of the joy and wonder these experiences brought me,” says Gayle.
“It’s the variety Road Scholar offers that you don’t even know you want,” says Gayle. “You arrive somewhere new, and there’s such a world of activities, flavors and traditions that you couldn’t have imagined. Road Scholar gifted us with surprise and wonder — that’s why we wanted to give back,” she says.
Gayle and Steve explored via bike paths and waterways in 2004 on A Cycling Journey: Bike and Barge in Holland and Belgium — during the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.
“We followed the route of the allied army, biking through tiny towns celebrating their freedom,” says
→ Please enjoy
Road Scholar gifted us with surprise and wonder, and that’s why we wanted to give back.
this longer profile about Gayle B. who was featured in our July catalog.
Connections Enrich Our Lives
As we navigate life’s journey, it can become increasingly challenging to maintain a sense of belonging and connection. At Road Scholar, we’ve spent the past 50 years doing just that — bringing older adults together through learning, enriching lives, broadening perspectives and fostering friendships across cultures and generations.
It's because of your steadfast support that the Road Scholar community is celebrating our golden anniversary this year. Together, we’re exploring new countries, learning about other cultures and connecting with each other — both in-person and online — to create this special community of adult learners.
In this issue of Impact, you’ll read about participants like Gayle B., who explored the world with Road Scholar and, after the loss of her husband, returned to our community for her first solo adventure. You’ll meet Carolyn R., who found a sense of belonging on her first solo trip to New York in 2001 and has since participated in 30 learning adventures, served as a Group Leader and been a Volunteer Ambassador for nearly two decades. And you’ll learn about
In
honor of our 50th anniversary, I’m pleased to announce that we’ll be awarding 50 Adventures Online scholarships by December 31, making it possible for more adults to experience the joy of learning together online.
Mareena S., who discovered friendship and support on a birding program in Costa Rica.
Closer to home, Karen H. found meaningful connections in our online lectures and Adventures Online. In honor of our 50th anniversary, I’m pleased to announce that we’ll be awarding 50 Adventures Online scholarships by December 31, making it possible for more adults to experience the joy of learning together online. Stay tuned, too, for details about our second series of complimentary Age Well lectures.
This special Road Scholar community wouldn’t be possible without your kindness and generosity. Only with your support can we continue to engage and connect older adults — one person, one adventure, one lifelong learning experience at a time.
Thank you for making this journey with us.
Sincerely,
James Moses Road Scholar President & CEO
While sailing around Iceland, Steve and Gayle visited Thingeyri Viking Village where they tried on early Viking dress. A LIFETIME OF
Gayle. They agreed — the best way to soak in a culture is by bicycle or on foot. “We enjoyed the pace and the camaraderie with our group — other game people who shared our passion for learning, biking and beer tasting,” she says.
In 2014, the couple pedaled 12 miles through Manhattan on Urban
Outdoor Adventures:
Bicycling New York City
During the pandemic, Gayle and Steve attended 14 of Road Scholar’s online lectures to keep learning. When the world reopened, their first adventure was Fire and Ice: A Circumnavigation of Mystical Iceland in May 2022. “Iceland was incredible,” she says. “We soaked in the mineral-rich, steaming waters of the Blue Lagoon and saw the shifting tectonic plates and active lava flows.”
We enjoyed the pace and the camaraderie with our group — other game people who shared our passion for learning, biking and beer tasting.
steps when it came to traveling. Her first adventure was with friends last April when they saw the solar eclipse. Next, she spent a week with her daughter’s family on Nantucket.
“My biggest step was Road Scholar’s Signature City New York program with a friend in October 2024. Then I knew I was ready to travel by myself,” she says.
Sadly, this journey was Steve’s last. After his passing in 2023, Gayle, a retired teacher, docent and Rodin Chair at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, took small
Gayle values Road Scholar’s intellectual stimulation and outdoor activities. “When we updated our wills in 2011, we included bequests to Road Scholar. We wanted to give back to an organization we believe in through annual gifts and bequests. It gives me great pleasure to share my gratitude,” says Gayle. n
← Fellow Road Scholar, Bob, gifted
Gayle a wooden butterfly he carved after their adventure in Spain 25 years ago.
Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975, dedicated to serving the educational needs of older adults. Road Scholar Impact is published for the friends and supporters of Road Scholar. The purpose of this publication is to provide accurate information of a general character only. For advice in specific cases, the services of an attorney or other professional advisors should be obtained. The Elderhostel and Road Scholar logos, website addresses and other marks are owned by Elderhostel, Inc. If you wish to modify our communications with you, please go to roadscholar.org and log in to your account, or call us toll free at (800) 454-5768. Please learn more about giving at roadscholar.org/waystogive or call (877) 737-0664.
Celebrating Lifelong Learning
50 Adventures Online Scholarships in 2025
Thanks to the dedication of donors like you, not-for-profit Road Scholar continues to enrich the lives of thousands of adult learners — including those who are at home caring for a loved one or unable to travel — with our Adventures Online series. These expert-led, live, immersive experiences bring learning, camaraderie and engagement right to participants’ homes. This year, in celebration of Road Scholar’s 50th anniversary, we are awarding 50 Adventures Online scholarships before December 31!
“We’re excited to award 50 scholarships for Road Scholar’s remarkable Adventures Online by year-end,” says Ann Simanis from Road Scholar’s Office of Financial Aid. “Adventures Online is the perfect antidote for the loneliness and isolation so many adults face at home, and an ideal way for lifelong learners to stay engaged, regardless of their circumstances.”
Imagine spending five days immersed in the wonders of Antarctica or journeying through the southwest of France — live from Bordeaux and Dordogne — from the comfort of home. Thanks to your support, an anonymous recipient and Karen H. are just two of the many Road Scholars who've benefitted from Adventures Online.
Adventures Online is the perfect antidote for the loneliness and isolation so many adults face at home, and an ideal way for lifelong learners to stay engaged, regardless of their circumstances.
Adventures Online Scholarship Lets Recipient Experience Paris
A once avid traveler, an anonymous recipient put her passport aside to care for her aging parents. “After my mom passed, my dad needed more of my attention,” she recalls. “The time commitment and stress of caregiving led me to step away from my career, which also meant scaling back on travel.”
“Receiving an Adventures Online scholarship allowed me to participate in The Art and History of Paris,” says the recipient. “Our instructor’s knowledge and passion for Paris made me feel like I was physically present in the city itself. This online program invigorated me and has given me balance from the demands of caring for my father,” she says.
A WORLD OF ADVENTURE
Learn how you can support this exciting initiative at roadscholar.org/ WaysToGive
Adventures Online
Let Karen H. Explore Our Planet
Road Scholar Karen H. of North Carolina also experienced the joy of learning through Road
Scholar’s Adventures Online. Her cerebral palsy made her dependent on her electric scooter to get around. In addition, she found herself at home alone, newly retired, during the
Age Well
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, our complimentary new Age Well series launched last spring. We’re pleased to announce we are continuing the series this fall with more guidance for navigating life’s fourth age, when living independently may be different. Learn more about Age Well at roadscholar.org/AgeWell
pandemic. After a busy career in IT, Karen wanted an exciting activity she could do from home while the world was in lockdown. She had always dreamed of traveling but thought it would be impossible.
“I had never seen the Pantheon or the Colosseum before,” says Karen. This live program allowed her to interact with instructors Julianne Miller and Elaine Ruffolo, who brought everything to life. Karen continued “traveling” virtually to Machu Picchu, the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. “It was so realistic, even pretending to wipe my boots in an antiseptic solution so I wouldn’t spread anything harmful into the environment before boarding the Zodiac boat,” says Karen.
What’s Your Legacy?
t 84, Carolyn R. of Oregon is still discovering the world — and helping others do the same. A retired middle school librarian with a deep love of learning, Carolyn took her first Road Scholar adventure in 2001, not long after her husband passed away. It was a turning point.
That first trip — an educational journey to New York City — was more than a getaway. It was a reminder that life could still be full of discovery, meaning and connection.
New York was just the beginning for Carolyn. She began assisting in Road Scholar’s Oregon office and became a Volunteer Ambassador. Today, she meets Road Scholar Signature City Portland participants at Pittock Mansion, where she’s volunteered for 36 years, to share its history with them.
Over the years, Carolyn has participated in 30 Road Scholar programs. From Christmas in Yellowstone to the British Isles, Road Scholar has given Carolyn the world. In return, she joined the Legacy Society in 2010 by adding Road Scholar to her estate plans. “I want to support Road Scholar Caregiver Grants so those caring for a loved one can experience a learning adventure,” she says. “It’s important to give back when I can.”
CAROLYN’S MILESTONES WITH ROAD SCHOLAR
FIRST PROGRAM: Carolyn travels to New York City solo.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM:
The Heart of France — Burgundy to Paris, on a small barge in the Burgundy Canal.
GIVING BACK:
Carolyn names Road Scholar in her estate plans.
Why Name Road Scholar in Your Will or Trust?
Since 1975, Road Scholar has inspired over six and a half million older adults to learn, discover and travel. Over the years, Road Scholar has been strengthened by participants and supporters who have named this not-for-profit organization as a beneficiary of their wills and estate plans. Road Scholar has received bequests of all sizes — from $5,000 to $50,000 to $1 million.
For many, leaving a bequest to Road Scholar is a way of giving back and saying thank you for the opportunities our transformational programs have provided. By naming Road Scholar in your will, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are leaving a legacy of education to enrich the lives of older adults for years to come.
How is Road Scholar Planning for the Future?
Thanks to bequests and other planned and major gifts, Road Scholar can grow and develop innovative new programs to meet the changing needs of older adults. Our commitment to creating learning adventures that enrich the mind, fulfill lifelong dreams and forge lasting friendships will never change.
Have you already named Road Scholar as a beneficiary of your will or trust? If you have, please let us know by contacting Advancement Coordinator Deborah Kain at Deborah.Kain@roadscholar.org or by calling toll-free at (877) 737-0664 . We want to thank you for your gift to the future.
ROAD SCHOLAR GROUP LEADER/AMBASSADOR: Leading Road Scholar Groups at the Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon.
A Spectacular Adventure!
Bobbi V. Finds Respite in Santa Fe Thanks to a Road Scholar Caregiver Grant
When Bobbi V.’s father passed away in 2001, she moved closer to her newly widowed mother, Mary. But it wasn’t until 2018 — after Mary’s sudden decline and a dementia diagnosis — that Bobbi moved in full-time to care for her. What followed was a six-year journey of devotion, hardship and unexpected joy.
“I went from novice to expert,” says Bobbi. “We experienced frustration, confusion, agitation, panic, sundowning, incontinence, dysphasia and depression. But ultimately, our experience was a love story.”
The early days were overwhelming. “We both lost weight and sleep,” she remembers. Then came the pandemic, and with it, the disappearance of alternative care options. “I was on my own, and I
many adobe buildings in downtown Santa Fe.
had to learn fast,” says Bobbi. Amid the chaos, something beautiful grew.
“I began to feel a love for her that I had never experienced before,” Bobbi says. “It came with an abundance of grace that overpowered all the difficulties,” she says.
By the end, we weren’t just participants — we were empowered women.
There were moments of joy and tenderness: watching classic movies, making Christmas ornaments, adorning Mary’s stuffed animals with costume jewelry and enjoying sweets without guilt. “Mom was generous with her smiles. I loved her even more — if that were possible. How wonderful it was to save the best for last.”
Mary entered hospice in October 2023 and passed away peacefully at home in May 2024 at the age of 90. “I’m grateful we shared a good end-of-life experience,” says Bobbi.
After six years of caregiving, Bobbi needed rest — and renewal. That’s when she discovered Road Scholar’s Caregiver Grants. “I cannot express how impactful this
grant was,” she says. She chose Finding Your Bliss in the Land of Enchantment for Women in Santa Fe.
“On the first day of the program, a Curandera — a traditional healer — welcomed us with wisdom and a blessing ceremony. It set the tone for everything that followed.”
With 20 women from around the country, Bobbi explored the culture, geology and spirituality of Santa Fe. From expert-led hikes, local art and shared laughter over meals, every detail was crafted with care. “By the end, we weren’t just participants — we were empowered women,” says Bobbi. Group leader Elizabeth Mesh brought the experience to life. “Elizabeth connected with each of us on a personal level,” Bobbi says.
“I am grateful to Road Scholar for awarding me a Caregiver Grant,” says Bobbi. “I appreciated each day, each meal, each encounter, each spectacular sunrise and sunset and each diverse perspective. For me, this was the adventure of a lifetime.”
YOU CAN CHANGE A LIFE:
Gifts of All Sizes Make a Difference
You can help someone like Bobbi by providing a time of rest and rejuvenation, allowing them to learn something new and make a new friend along the way. When you support Road Scholar Financial Assistance, you do just that. Your donation allows us to send lifelong learners, like caregivers and retired educators, on a Road Scholar learning adventure to immerse themselves in an educational experience.
YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ROAD SCHOLARS.
To learn how you can donate to or endow a Named Scholarship or a Named Caregiver Grant Fund, call us at (877) 737-0664 or visit roadscholar.org Financial-Assistance
Please Consider Road Scholar During the Season of Thanks and Giving!
As you start planning for the season of thanks and giving, please consider adding Road Scholar to your gift-giving list by December 31!
Remember that making charitable gifts to Road Scholar this calendar year can be beneficial in many ways, providing essential support for Road Scholar, while producing a 2025 charitable income tax deduction for you if you itemize.
To donate by phone, call (877) 426-8056. You may also make a gift on our secure website at roadscholar.org/Give
You Make It Possible
Chief Programs Officer Maeve Hartney Shares Our Newest Programs
Overseeing Road Scholar’s program development is a true labor of love for Chief Programs Officer Maeve Hartney. A 27-year veteran of the organization, Maeve guides a team of hundreds of staff around the world — including those in the Road Scholar Trip Lab who work tirelessly to create new ways for our participants to explore, learn and connect.
“We’re continually expanding the range of options we offer, from slower-paced programs to womenonly adventures,” says Maeve. “And it’s all thanks to the ongoing support of our donors. Their generosity allows us to research and design new programs that respond to the interests and needs of older adults.”
One example is the thoughtfully tailored new adventure, Choose Your Pace: Hiking Yosemite
Up Close and Personal for Women.
“This six-day, women-only, women-led program gives participants the flexibility to set their own activity level each day — from shorter nature walks to more challenging hikes across varied terrain,” explains Maeve. “These expert-led hikes are a rewarding way to learn about
Yosemite’s unique geology, ecology and cultural heritage, all while connecting with women who love learning and adventure.”
“Because so many of our participants enjoy the tranquility of watercolor painting, we’re bringing those programs back after the pandemic,” Maeve adds. Learning at Lake Geneva: Watercolor, History & Lakeside Beauty is just one of these new, easygoing offerings available now. “From coast to coast, our country is a rich tapestry of history, natural beauty, culture, cuisine, art and wildlife,” says Maeve. “We’re deeply grateful to our donors, whose generosity makes these new learning adventures possible — and allows us to continue connecting lifelong learners with the places, stories, and people that interest them.”
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Mareena S. Finds Her Flock of Friends Birding in Costa Rica
ewly single after 15 years, Mareena S. from Arizona heard about Road Scholar listening to NPR. “I needed to find my people, and I love birds, so I decided to enroll in Road Scholar’s Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals program,” says Mareena.
“I didn’t know anyone, or what to expect. I was excited to see new birds.”
Not only did Mareena add more than 250 birds to her life list on that journey, but she also became fast friends with her Road Scholar group of 10 women. “I’m so happy I found my people and have their support,” she says.
“We bonded immediately, and we feel like we’ve been
friends for life. We share the same outlook and passion for birding,” says Mareena.
From Rosy thrush-tanagers to Resplendent quetzals, Agami heron, Jabiru and the Three-wattled bellbird, Mareena’s list grew. “Every time I turned around, I saw another. It was like Pokémon, and I wanted to catch ‘em all,” she says.
Besides finding rare birds, she found her flock. “I’m grateful to Road Scholar for enriching my life in so many ways,” says Mareena. Eight of the group returned to Costa Rica this past July to continue their adventures in ornithology with Road Scholar.
Boston, MA 02205-6033
www.roadscholar.org
