Greeting from beautiful Flagstaff!
Over a 10 year period NAU Elderhostel has hosted hundreds of grandparents, great aunts and uncles, great grandparents and their grandchildren in the high country of Arizona during the summer. What wonderful and energetic weeks they have been! From our first years camping in the woods outside Flagstaff at Camp Colton to our fun at Mountain View Dorm on the campus of NAU, each season of “intergen” has provided us with new faces, new discoveries and, always, great memories. During the summer of 2004 we are offering 2 great intergenerational opportunities for grandparents and their young companions, ages 9-12.

Lowell Observatory Intergenerational, site of Pluto’s discovery in 1930, hosts our Astronomy and Space Program #2517.
With news of Mars and the President’s push to explore more of our universe, Lowell’s research focus on our solar system provides an exciting way to learn about what’s beyond our little blue planet. We’ll visit Lowell three times and Meteor Crater and Sunset Crater Natl. Monuments, astronaut training sites for the Apollo missions. There will be time to lie on your back and trace summer constellations while listening to star stories. In addition, you’ll enjoy a full day guided field trip to the granddaddy of them all – the Grand Canyon.
More information.

Rails, Ropes and Rafts Program #5831.  
Join this program if you’re looking for some summer adventure. We’ll build a survival shelter and test our survival know-how; dip our toes in the Colorado River’s icy waters while floating on a raft beneath towering 800’ sandstone cliffs, watching hawks, discovering ancient petroglyphs and maybe even enjoying a water fight; and engage in team building games and activities at the University’s Challenge Course to test our fitness for more challenging elements. Descend 240 steps into Walnut Canyon to see ruins of the ancient Anasazi. Climb aboard the Grand Canyon Railway’s historic steam train for an exciting trip to the rim of the world’s #1 travel destination.
More information.

Come join with us to make some lasting memories!
Jennifer Beltz, Intergenerational Program Coordinator

A couple of interesting articles:
Bond Voyage - For all kinds of travel, people are discovering that grandchildren add a wonderful dimension.
10 Survival Tips For Traveling With Grandchildren
 

A Canyon de Chelly Diary - Erich & Kathleen Pfeiffer
Extract:
"One of our lectures was about the religious ceremonies of the Diné. Actually, I had had an introduction to the Navajo religion from an unusual source: the suspense novels of Toni Hillerman (more about this author in the section "Information Sources"). There are many Christian churches - Catholic, various Protestant denominations and Mormon - in the Navajo Nation and many Navajo are members, though I have not been able to find numbers or percentages. Our lecturer told us that, nevertheless, most of them also follow the traditional believes of the Diné. The way I understand it - and I have to make this disclaimer - the Diné believe that there are two classes of beings: the Earth People or humans and the Holy People or Yei. The Earth People must try to live in harmony with mother earth and father sky. When this harmony is broken, which can manifest itself by illness, an appeal to the holy people can bring their assistance for restoring harmony. These appeals consist of religious ceremonies or "ways" which can go on for several days....."

To learn more about the Pfeiffer's experience at Canyon de Chelly,
view their complete diary on their personal website

More information about our "Canyon de Chelly" program.
 

Win a Southwest getaway with NAU Elderhostel!

NAU Elderhostel in the News
This article was published recently by the Times-Herald, Newnan, GA.
"Schroeders explore Mesa Verde"

More information about our
Mesa Verde program

Photo of the month

By staff member Annika Thornton

Check out other NAU Elderhostel photos taken by our program participants and located on their individual websites:
Galen Frysinger (Canyon de Chelly)

Want to learn more about digital photography and editing?
We offer a workshop in:
Making your pictures come alive: Digital Cameras, Photoshop and more...

Digital Photography - Tips & Tricks

Compare and review digital cameras
 

Recommended  reading

Exploring the Grand Canyon
An engaging introduction to the geology, history, and the plants and animals of this strange and wonderful land. Appropriate for children 9 to adult.

Introduction to Grand Canyon Set
A great introduction to the natural, geologic, and human history of Grand Canyon.

Tips and ideas

From the mouth of our coordinators:
"When posing for pictures on canyon rims, beware of photographers who say - Could you move back just two more steps..."

Bruce Banker, NAU Elderhostel Coordinator

Looking to get away
this summer?
Join us up in the High Country for some "cool" programs.
Our summer programs