Never Too Old to Learn: Summer School for Senior Citizens

The thought of summer school often breeds fear and despair into the hearts of prospective students. Years ago as a youngster, at school year's end, we students would wildly dash out of the classroom at the sound of the bell, looking forward to summer freedom. As we all exited the doors, we gleefully chanted the ditty "No more homework, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks". Not so, with retirees who actually look forward to and plan to attend summer school. Mr. William Levy started the Senior Summer School program in 1984 and it has steadily grown since its inception. Now we retirees, after what seems to be an unfathomable passage of years can combine travel with education for a "travel-destination vacation". Retirees now have the enviable option of attending summer school without fear of grades and homework or teachers" dirty looks! Instead, seniors (age 50 or over) have the opportunity to attend senior summer school to enroll in a variety of interesting and unusual courses and meet new friends.

What is Senior Summer School?
Senior Summer School was established in 1984 and is now a private organization that offers a wide spectrum of courses ranging from lectures and classes covering a wide and interesting spectrum of subjects. Classes have included lectures in politics, the arts, theater, local history and culture and current events to name a few. Senior Summer School bills its offerings as an educational experience that allows one to spend a few weeks attending classes in universities strategically located throughout the United States. If you have never been a college student who stayed on campus, you can fulfill that experience in your senior years.

Housing and Lodging
Housing arrangements are forged with the local university offering the summer school program. Accommodations may be in a dorm, local apartments or hotels situated near the university offering the summer school program. Once you enroll in the course, you will be given detailed information about your accommodations regarding location and distance from your class site, nearby attractions, public transportation and other pertinent information. Meals are included which is a real bargain.

Physical Demands
Because your accommodations may not have an elevator, participants should be able to stand or walk without difficulty for up to an hour at a time, be able to take public transportation and handle your luggage. Be sure to take into account your physical condition as it relates to the course activities and planned field trips. You do not want to enroll only to find out that many of the activities are not suited to your physical capabilities.

Class Attendance
Unlike formal school, there is no mandatory attendance. There are no quizzes or exams and you attend courses at your leisure. Of course, you benefit greatly in attending the lectures and classes to enrich your own personal educational experiences and enjoyment of learning for the sake of learning.

Cost of courses
The cost for the senior summer school courses is moderately expensive and you must provide your own transportation to the summer school site. As with all schools, there is registration fee of $300 and completion of an application. The $300 deposit is applied toward the final cost of your session. Courses range in price depending upon the location and the length of time the course is offered. Two week sessions for 2010 vary from $1199 to $1499 and four and six week sessions range in price from $1998 to nearly $3400. Many families combine the Senior Summer School as part of a family vacation. While grandmom or granddad, aunt, uncle or other eligible relatives are in summer school, the family is exploring the area attractions. The Senior Summer School organization offers a free scholarship yearly and one fortunate individual receives a tuition free summer school.

Locations of 2010 Summer School
In 2010 the Senior Summer School sessions will be held at the following colleges or universities: On the east coast, University of Southern Maine, Portland; Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina; in the Midwest, Loyola University, Chicago and University of Wisconsin, Madison. On the west coast University of Oregon in Eugene and San Diego State University in San Diego round out the summer school sites.

If you have the time and are seeking a novel way to spend your summer, Senior Summer School could be a worthwhile pursuit. Family members could consider giving a family member a gift of attendance at a summer school session. I personally would love to attend the San Diego University summer session. No longer do retirees need to feel that learning has passed by them. Consider taking a course with a friend to share the experience. Plan your family vacation in one of the cities offering Senior Summer School. You attend class while the younger family members sightsee on their own.

Further information
Hopefully, your appetite has been piqued for more information about the Senior Summer School. Pass along this information to your friends and relatives and take advantage of learning in your senior years in a novel setting. More information can be obtained at www.seniorsummerschool.com or email info@seniorsummerschool.com.
By telephone, you can reach the Madison, WI office at 1-800-847-2466 or the Arizona office at 480-545-1238.

If traveling is not your desire, consider taking the online courses offered by the Senior Summer School especially geared to retirees and taught by reputable lecturers who are authorities in their own right. So, return to school, play hooky if you like, be free of grades and exams, meet new friends and combine travel and education for an meaningful life experience. Relax and enjoy learning for the sake of learning!