"We've never found an Elderhostel we didn't enjoy," said Manor resident Don Wells. "My wife and I usually attend at least one program a year." Each year, more than 1,500 people participate in Elderhostel programs at Southern Oregon University (SOU) in nearby Ashland. Elderhostel and SOU provide short-term residential education opportunities for mature adults, with courses on a wide variety of subjects.

An Elderhostel program usually lasts five or six nights, from orientation on Sunday afternoon to lunch on Friday or breakfast on Saturday. All meals are provided, and participants usually attend three to four hours of instruction each day, beginning Monday morning after breakfast. To make the experience more enjoyable, the late afternoons and early evenings often include field trips or social activities. The average cost of a one-week program is about $390, not including travel expenses.

More than 10 different Elderhostel programs are scheduled this fall at SOU. Many programs include attending at least one play at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. A three-course, six-night program runs from October 10 through 16. Course 1 is "Oregon Shakespeare Festival: A Week at the Theatre," which combines a guided theatre tour, classes with theatre artists from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival company, and seeing a play. Course 2, "The Joint Was Jumpin': Jazz in the Harlem Renaissance," looks at the development of one style of music at a certain point in history. Course 3, "Scotland's Immortal Bard: The Poetry and Person of Robert Burns," celebrates the poetry of Burns with a look at his life in rural Scotland.

For the outdoor enthusiast, from October 17 through 23, SOU offers a program called "Hiking in Southern Oregon: Botanically Rich, Majestic, and Beautiful." Classroom time is spent learning about the southern Oregon region and preparing participants for the three-mile day hikes they will take. Weather permitting, the course includes a field trip to Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States.

Elderhostel, Inc., was founded in 1975 as a non-profit organization at the University of New Hampshire. Inspired by the youth hostels of Europe and the folk schools of Scandinavia, Elderhostel sought to provide inexpensive lodgings in conjunction with stimulating classes. In 1981, the Elderhostel organization became international, with programs in Great Britain and Scandinavia. And service programs--in which participants provide volunteer services to public service organizations--were introduced in 1992.

Worldwide, more than 270,000 people over the age of 55 participate in Elderhostel programs each year. "We are excited about this year's program in Burlington, Vermont. One of the courses addresses the history of the Green Mountain Boys and Vermont becoming a state," explained Don Wells. "We've attended programs in many states including Florida, Massachusetts, and Oregon, and we liked every one of them."

For more information about the program and this fall's offerings, call Elderhostel at SOU at 1-800-257-0577. And plan to visit the Manor to meet this delightful community of lifelong learners.