Where the learning never ends

<p>School may be out for summer, but many Gainesvillians will be headed to a different kind of classroom this year, combining a love of travel with a yearning to learn something new. Whether it's getting up close and personal with nature (with a world-renowned biologist as a guide), learning a new craft in the North Carolina mountains, trying out a few vintage waltz moves aboard the majestic Queen Mary, or experiencing total immersion in a culturally vibrant community that offers daily lectures, opera, concerts art exhibits and plays, many area residents have found there's nothing more refreshing than learning something new over the summer.</p><p>According to Heather Gibson, associate professor in the University of Florida's Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, there's been a resurgence of interest in educational travel over the past 10 years, particularly among students involved with educational exchange programs and among the 50-plus set. </p><p>"As their children become more independent, many people in midlife embark on their own developmental journeys," Gibson says. Those journeys may involve a range of activities, from something as simple as attending a summer golf camp to improve your swing to more in-depth quests, such as a geneaological trip to explore your family heritage and history. </p><p>And these days, the choices are better than ever, with offerings from the Smithosonian, Elderhostel, the Sierra Club, alumni organizations (including UF's), museums and more.</p><p> What's the attraction? For Virginia and Dick Dolder, two retired schoolteachers with Littlewood Elementary School who have traveled extensively over the past five years, it's a no-brainer. </p><p>"It's continuing to be a learner," says Virginia, who, together with Dick, has traveled to Mexico, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands and Madagascar as part of the Florida Museum of Natural History's Expedition Travel program. </p><p> Gibson says people who embark on these kinds of educational trips benefit not just from the intellectual stimulation, but also the social interaction that comes with being part of a group with a common interest. </p><p>Dick Dolder couldn't agree more. "I like the small groups," he says of the couple's museum-related travels. Most of those trips have been in groups of 10 to 12 people, groups that have included nature photographers from National Geographic, documentarians working on a film, and even professional butterfly collectors.</p><p>Perhaps the best part about taking a learning journey: You're free from the worry of getting a bad grade and (gasp!) ruining your GPA.</p><h3>LEARNING ADVENTURES</h3> <p>For more opportunities that combine education and travel, check out the resources here.</p><p><b>Elderhostel:</b> For people 55 and older, this nonprofit organization offers a wealth of educational trips throughout the United States and 90 other countries. Contact Elderhostel, (877-426-8056), www.elderhostel.org.</p><p><b>Florida Museum of Natural History:</b> Its <b>Expedition Travel</b> program offers trips to such far-flung destinations as Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica. Each trip, led by experienced educators and guides, combines travel, learning and soft adventure for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Contact Court Whelan at Expedition Travel, (871-2710), Expeditiontravel@gmail.com, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflies/expeditions.htm. </p><p>The museum also sponsors an annual <b>fossil dig at the Thomas Farm,</b> 45 miles northwest of Gainesville. During one week each spring, participants help excavate 18-million-year-old fossils at one of the premier archaeological sites in North America. Contact David Steadman, (273-1968) or (www.flmnh.ufl.edu/ponyexpress/pe_adventures.htm) </p><p><b>Fun Languages Gainesville:</b> Offers week-long personalized tours of Provence in France, which includes cooking classes, wine tastings and more. Contact Kaydie Vistelle at (372-6885), http://funlanguagesgainesville.com.</p><p><b>Shaw Guides:</b> This online resource connects you with more than 6,000 learning vacations worldwide, with categories in cultural travel, language vacations, recreational cooking and wine schools, and workshops and conferences in arts and crafts, photography and creative writing. </p><p><b>Smithsonian Journeys:</b> Offers a wide variety of educational travel experiences on every imaginable subject, from architecture to film to cultural exploration. Each trip includes world-class study leaders chosen for their expertise and personability. Contact (877-338-8687), www.smithsonianjourneys.org. </p><p>UF Alumni Association: Domestic and international learning adventures for alumni and friends are offered through its <b>Great Gator Escapes Travel Program.</b> Contact LynAnn Magee, (392-5486), lmagee@ufalumni.ufl.edu, www.ufalumni.ufl.edu/travel.</p><p>For more opportunities that combine education and travel, check out the resources here.</p><p><b>Elderhostel:</b> For people 55 and older, this nonprofit organization offers a wealth of educational trips throughout the United States and 90 other countries. Contact Elderhostel, (877-426-8056), www.elderhostel.org.</p><p><b>Florida Museum of Natural History:</b> Its <b>Expedition Travel</b> program offers trips to such far-flung destinations as Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica. Each trip, led by experienced educators and guides, combines travel, learning and soft adventure for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Contact Court Whelan at Expedition Travel, (871-2710), Expeditiontravel@gmail.com, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflies/expeditions.htm. </p><p>The museum also sponsors an annual <b>fossil dig at the Thomas Farm,</b> 45 miles northwest of Gainesville. During one week each spring, participants help excavate 18-million-year-old fossils at one of the premier archaeological sites in North America. Contact David Steadman, (273-1968) or (www.flmnh.ufl.edu/ponyexpress/pe_adventures.htm) </p><p><b>Fun Languages Gainesville:</b> Offers week-long personalized tours of Provence in France, which includes cooking classes, wine tastings and more. Contact Kaydie Vistelle at (372-6885), http://funlanguagesgainesville.com.</p><p><b>Shaw Guides:</b> This online resource connects you with more than 6,000 learning vacations worldwide, with categories in cultural travel, language vacations, recreational cooking and wine schools, and workshops and conferences in arts and crafts, photography and creative writing. </p><p><b>Smithsonian Journeys:</b> Offers a wide variety of educational travel experiences on every imaginable subject, from architecture to film to cultural exploration. Each trip includes world-class study leaders chosen for their expertise and personability. Contact (877-338-8687), www.smithsonianjourneys.org. </p><p>UF Alumni Association: Domestic and international learning adventures for alumni and friends are offered through its <b>Great Gator Escapes Travel Program.</b> Contact LynAnn Magee, (392-5486), lmagee@ufalumni.ufl.edu, www.ufalumni.ufl.edu/travel.</p>