FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 3, 2008
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
Elderhostel: One of SGC’s best kept secrets
The Elderhostel program is one of South Georgia College's best kept secrets.
It's also one of the college's most important programs.
SGC's Elderhostel program, which falls under the Department of Continuing
Education's umbrella, is part of a worldwide program aimed at advancing
life-long learning.
Elderhostel began in 1975 by Marty Knowlton and David Blanco as a way for
Americans ages 55 and older to combine travel and learning. Five colleges
and universities in New Hampshire hosted the first Elderhostel program to
220 participants.
In the early 1980's, Elderhostel spread to South Georgia College. The
Elderhostel season begins in September, and SGC hosts groups at several
different sites until spring. SGC’s first Elderhostel group of the season
participated in a digital photography course on Jekyll Island. The second
group arrived in Douglas on Sunday, Sept. 28.
The participants arrange their own travel to Douglas. Once there, SGC
Continuing Education staff takes care of their meals and activities.
Participants typically stay at the Hampton Inn. Local Elderhostel activities
are bridge and golf, which the participants enjoy to their hearts' content
while they are here. The Douglas Golf and Country Club hosts golfers, while
those who would like to play bridge do so at the Hampton Inn or on campus.
SGC hosts Elderhostel programs are held at several other sites as well. On
Jekyll Island, participants take part in golf, tennis, digital photography,
watercolor art, jazz, Broadway musicals, Coastal Georgia ecology and
local/state history.
In Myrtle Beach, S.C., golf is the only activity currently offered. However,
plans are in place to begin tennis this winter. SGC also oversees a program
at Hilton Head, S.C., where golf and tennis are offered.
The programs are attended by people from all walks of life including retired
teachers, doctors, lawyers, bankers, and other professionals as well as
people who’ve not had specific life-long careers. Couples and singles have
attended as well. Parents have attended with an adult child. In this case,
only one of the participants must satisfy the age requirement of 55. A small
percentage of participants will come back year after year because they enjoy
the instructors and facilities but most hostelers say they want to
experience as many places as they can so they choose to attend a site only
one time. However, many choose to participate in another SGC-sponsored
program at another location.
The program is open to anyone who satisfies Elderhostel's age requirements,
and is an excellent way to show off Douglas and Coffee County to people from
across the United States.
For more information on Elderhostel, contact SGC’s Department of Continuing
Education at 260-4271or visit www.elderhostel.org.
Cutlines:
Elderhostel participants must be at least 55 years old
to take part in the program. That’s not a problem for Gus Hewlett, seen
above putting on number two green at the Douglas Golf and Country Club. Gus
is 95 years young!
Gregory Merrill sticks his shot inside of 10 feet from
the cup on the par-3 number three green at Douglas Golf and Country Club.
After taking golf lessons and playing on their own all week, Elderhostel
participants played a tournament Friday morning.
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About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System
of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives
students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close
collaboration with faculty.
