2009 Elderhostel Programs

HAWAII & “MIGHTY MO”
August 27, 2009 - September 3, 2009

GE Elfun is proud to collaborate with Elderhostel in announcing an exceptional service adventure: The opportunity to work aboard the historic battleship U.S.S. Missouri in Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor.

Elfuns will help maintain the Battleship Missouri, which made history on Sept.2, 1945, when Japan surrendered unconditionally to General Douglas MacArthur and the United States in a ceremony on the deck of the Missouri.

Designed for speed and firepower, the Mighty Mo is 332 feet longer than the height of the Washington Monument, can cruise at more than 30 knots per hour, and has nine 16-inch guns each weighing 116 tons and capable of delivering a 2700-pound shell 23 miles in 50 seconds.

In 1996 the Navy selected the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial Association as the ship’s caretaker. The association is inviting Elfuns to “come aboard” for an experience of a lifetime from August 27 through September 4.

The dates coincide with the commemoration of the signing of the surrender which ended World War II, and Elfuns will be invited to attend an anniversary event which is a solemn expression of the merit and fragility of peace.

While in Honolulu, the Elfuns will stay at the Waikiki Resort Hotel, just a short walk from Waikiki Beach. The program begins on August 27, 2009 with a welcome dinner. The following morning Elfuns will begin their service with a behind-the-scenes tour of Mighty Mo and then start their service,concluding the day with a pier-side barbeque dinner and educational presentation. That night Elfuns have an option of “billeting” on the battleship, or returning to the hotel.

The variety of projects Elfuns will be invited to participate in is expansive, offering opportunities for “skilled and unskilled” Elfuns, and including such tasks as cleaning electrical switchboards manufactured by GE, filing and cataloguing blueprints, giving the teak deck protective covering before the ship’s drydocking, installing hot water lines for showers, painting and/or polishing brightwork, converting a male only bathroom to unisex and making it ADA compliant, plus “tons” of other challenging and meaningful tasks.

Cost for this unique adventure is $1270 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement is $350. The cost includes hotel accommodations, all meals (except for the free day) and the September 3rd dinner, educational programs, and motor coach transportation from hotel to shipside.

To enroll phone toll-free 1-877 426-8056 and request Program #2617NP. Outside the United States phone 978 323-4141.

For added information on this program phone Elfun program coordinator John Betchkal at 216 765-1211.

For US citizens, expenses incurred to participate in this service for a 501(c)(3) organization may be tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor before deciding how to declare your service program expenses. Elderhostel will send each participant a letter stating the full cost of the service program, after completion of the program.

VERMONT SUMMER CAMP BECKONS  - This trip is SOLD OUT
From June 14 to June 19 Elfuns are invited to work on preservation and renovation of a classic old Vermont Summer Camp located on the shores of beautiful Lake Morey at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT. Working on a wide range of projects (including painting, carpentry, gardening, stone wall repair, etc.) Elfuns will assist in renovating the camp for use by children and families. Elfuns will live in comfortable cabins overlooking the lake and eat in the camp's charming dining hall. The program number for this experience is #14811 (Preservation of a Classic Old Vermont Summer Camp) and tuition is $478 per person, double occupancy. The single supplement is $100.

MONTANA CAMP WELCOMES ELFUN EXPERTISE - This trip is SOLD OUT
From September 13 to September 19 Elfuns will have an opportunity to help maintain historic Camp Birch Creek, the last standing Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Montana. Projects include tasks related to maintaining several of the remaining CCC structures at the site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Elfuns will reside at the Guest House Inn in nearby picturesque Dillon, Montana.  The program number is #4778 (Service for Camp Birch Creek) and tuition is $693 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement is $160.

For additional information on these programs please click here.