BOSTON, Sept. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Not-for-profit Road Scholar, the nation's largest educational travel institution for adults, has provided grandparents and their grandchildren the opportunity to learn, build lasting memories and bond over shared interests on its popular Intergenerational programs. Due to their popularity, the organization continues to increase its Intergenerational offerings, as well as increase its Family programs to accommodate multiple generations who wish to experience the joys of educational travel.
This summer, multiple generations of the Shostak family decided to reconnect on a Road Scholar adventure in Yellowstone National Park to celebrate Janet and Jack's birthdays. Janet, 71, is a retired elementary school teacher; her husband Jack, 74, is a part-time pharmacist. They are long-time residents of Fairfield, Connecticut, having raised two children who are now married with children of their own. They are also long time Road Scholars, having attended 17 learning adventures in the United States.
"We've always enjoyed our Road Scholar programs as a couple, but a few years ago we learned about Intergenerational programs and got so excited," said Janet. "Our two grandsons were the perfect age for an Intergenerational program in Chattanooga that explored trains. None of us had ever visited Tennessee so it was the perfect learning adventure for all of us."
After participating in several Intergenerational programs with their grandchildren, the Shostaks learned about Family programs and decided to share their love of Road Scholar with their entire family. Their son Jack, 47, and his wife Lakin, 46, had visited the Yellowstone National Park in the past and wanted to share its splendor with their three children. Lakin learned about Road Scholar years ago because her grandparents, currently in their 90s, attended programs when they were younger. She had never traveled with a group before and had very high expectations for her first Road Scholar program to Yellowstone. She said it far exceeded her expectations.
"I thought I knew a lot about the area but the two Road Scholar instructors were incredible and I learned even more about the terrain and history of the park," said Lakin. "The instructors never tired of answering our questions and it was wonderful spending time together as a family as well as meeting and developing relationships with the other families on the program."
Yellowstone was also the first Road Scholar program for Janet and Jack's daughter Laura. Laura, 46, lives in Rochester, New York with her husband Mark and daughter, Sophia.
"Over the Christmas break when the entire family was together, my mom taped a map to the wall and presented the family with the Road Scholar trip to Yellowstone," said Laura. "The children were overjoyed. The most challenging part was getting everyone's schedule in synch. But once we picked a date, Road Scholar took care of the rest."
Janet, Laura, and Laura's daughter Sophia, 10, all agree that the horseback riding was a highlight of the trip.
"There were so many highlights that it's hard to choose just one," said Sophia. "It was my first time horseback riding, and it was fun to see all the wildlife, see Old Faithful erupt and play ultimate Frisbee in the rain with the other kids. I was never bored, and the instructors keep you active and make learning fun. I love this Road Scholar program and I think other people will too."
Janet is thrilled that her family was able to get together this summer to share such a rich learning experience, as well as meet other families also eager to learn and have fun at the same time. She and Jack look forward to their next adventure with Road Scholar, whether it's as a couple, with the grandkids, or with the entire family.
"Road Scholar offers dozens of Family and Intergenerational programs to give families like the Shostaks the chance to share their love of learning and nature in some of the most beautiful National Parks and monuments in the country," said James Moses, President and CEO of Road Scholar. "This year we're celebrating Road Scholar's 40th anniversary and we are heading into the 100th anniversary of National Parks. We encourage families to enjoy a Road Scholar experience and discover Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion National Park, or any of our nation's other incredible landmarks."
The Shostak family attended Road Scholar's Yellowstone's Great Outdoor Adventures for Families program in the summer of 2015. To learn more about Road Scholar Family programs, please visit: www.roadscholar.org/family or https://youtu.be/v44KMnRyQh8.
About Road Scholar
Road Scholar is the nation's largest educational travel organization for adults. The not-for-profit offers 5,500 extraordinary educational adventures in 150 countries and 50 states for individuals dedicated to lifelong learning. Road Scholars are immersed in a variety of experiential learning activities, enlisting world-renowned faculty and local experts who offer insider access not available to most individuals. Dedicated to making educational travel available to everyone, Road Scholar offers financial assistance for those who otherwise could not participate in its programs.
Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975. To learn more, please visit our website at www.roadscholar.org/press.