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Road Scholar
Road Scholar is the name for the programs developed and offered by Elderhostel, Inc., the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975. Our mission is to empower adults to explore the world's places, peoples, cultures and ideas, and in so doing to discover more about themselves. A fellowship of learning and the joy of discovery are the hallmarks of the Road Scholar experience.
Road Scholar programs bring together instructors and participants from diverse backgrounds to foster dynamic interaction, engaging discourse and warm camaraderie. In a world that seems to shrink smaller by the day because of technology, we believe that true insight and understanding are still sparked by hands-on experience and open discussions that stimulate the senses, energize the body and challenge the mind. We are committed to continually developing new program destinations, topics and formats to reflect the shifting realities and emerging trends of our ever-changing world.
For more information on GE Elfun projects click here
News from the latest adventure
Elfuns team up to keep the historic USS Missouri standing proud
Their mission was to keep a historic battleship looking ship-shape. Located in Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor, the USS Missouri, weighing 45,000 tons unloaded and 332 feet longer that the Washington Monument, offered plenty of opportunities.
The 31 GE Elfuns and their guests from the USA and Switzerland were certainly up to the challenge. During their week of volunteer service aboard the Mighty Mo, Elfuns used their many talents to complete a variety of tasks sure to make the historic battleship stand tall and proud.
They polished the bridge, archived documents, repaired the trophy case and salvaged bunk lights. Bulkheads, passageways and the Tomahawk missile launcher all received a new coat of paint. Elfuns also helped maintain the ship’s teak deck, replaced aging compartment lists, and even installed a 1940’s Pepsi machine in the ship’s snack shop. “It was a wonderful experience,” noted John Jaeger of Port St. Lucie, FL. “I was on a detail working with service manuals and blueprints… some from Day One”.
In addition to lending their diversified skills, Elfuns attended the onboard ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the signing of the World War II-ending treaty that took place on the historic battleship’s deck. The ceremony, a solemn expression of the merit and fragility of peace, included the presence of military veterans who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. “Attending that ceremony brought a tear to just about everybody’s eyes,” recalled Jaeger.
Immediately following the ceremony, GE Elfun President Joe Gould of Lynn, MA presented a $6,500 check from GE Elfun to Vice Admiral (Ret.) Robert Kihune, Chairman, USS Missouri Memorial Association. The donation willl be used to help maintain the USS Missouri.
In keeping with the true spirit of Elfun, the volunteers completed numerous work projects, made new friends, renewed long-standing friendships, and just plain had a good old time.
Andrew Lockwood, President of the Pacific Islands Institute, summed up their time together well: “GE Elfuns are a rare and amazing bunch. For them to spend their time and hardearned money traveling to a distant community to donate their efforts is amazing. Hardworking and fun to be around, they accomplished a lot. Their spirit is infectious!”
The adventure was offered by Elfun in collaboration with Road Scholar. Similar Road Scholar-sponsored service programs will be offered exclusively to Elfuns again in 2011.
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