Auburn University
Elderhostel Coordinators: Please feel free to contact us!

Dr. Bonnie Stauffer
(334) 844-3109

Email: elderho@auburn.edu

Greatest Show On Earth! Circus, Nature, Sports Adventure At Callaway Gardens (Ages 7-9)

July 6 - 11 , 2008
Elderhostel Program Number: #2532

*Detailed information about the hotel, parking, meals, travel, what to bring, etc., for this program can be found on the Site Information > Callaway page.

If you don't have Adobe Reader, get it here.

DESCRIPTION | FORMS | SCHEDULE | SPECIFIC PROGRAM INFO

Program Description

This unique, jam-packed outdoor educational adventure will be fun and memorable for you and your grandchild. Our active outdoor week focuses on nature/environmental experiences and recreational sport skills. Study intriguing aspects of nature and enjoy an exposure to beginner tennis and golf skills. Enjoy a special class on circus skills and the Florida State University Flying High Circus. Take a "bike hike", learn about endangered species or snazzy snakes, intriguing hummingbirds, or butterflies. Visits and classes at the Butterfly Center and Discovery Center. Birds of prey demonstration/class will fascinate you. Paddle boats, shuffle board, ping-pong, lake and pool swimming round out your week of education and fun -- it's awesome!

NOTE: This intergenerational program is for hostelers and young learners ages 9-11
for 6/08/08 week; and ages 7-9 for 6/22/08 and 7/06/08 weeks. If only one grandparent, adult must register for single section. Grandparent(s) and grandchild(ren) stay together in one motel room with 2 double beds and private bath. Grandparents are responsible for child supervision.

Hotel: Mountain Creek Inn

Program Forms

Note: There are different forms for the grandparents and the grandchildren. The grandchildren’s forms must be completed, SIGNED and returned by a parent or legal guardian. (A Grandparent CANNOT complete a child’s forms.)

The grandparent forms will need to be completed, SIGNED and returned by the participating grandparent.

A pre-paid postage, business reply envelope will be included in the confirmation materials which will be mailed to grandparents and the parent/legal guardian of the grandchild.

GRANDPARENT FORMS TO BE COMPLETED, SIGNED and RETURNED:
(You can print off a copy of these forms – or, you will also receive a copy of each form in the mail.)

PLEASE Return the “Grandchild Contact Information Form” AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

1.) Grandchild Contact Information Form ***
***Return the Grandchild contact information form as soon as possible. If you provide this information to us via e-mail, we will be able to send the requisite information to your grandchild immediately. If, you do not have e-mail, or if you didn’t notify us, please return this form as soon as possible. We do not receive the addresses of the grandchildren from Elderhostel.

PLEASE return all other forms by May 28, 2008

2.) The Elderhostel U.S. & Canada Health and Safety Form - Per Elderhostel guidelines, the Health and Safety form is REQUIRED for your participation, and MUST be completed, signed and returned to the Program Provider. Failure to do so will jeopardize your ability to participate in the program.
3.) Auburn University Hold Harmless Waiver
4.) Callaway’s Bike Waiver
5.) Supplemental Information

GRANDCHILD FORMS TO BE COMPLETED, SIGNED BY PARENT or LEGAL GUARDIAN, & RETURNED - (Grandparents cannot return these forms)
1.) Grandchild Health and Emergency Form (Callaway)
2.) Elderhostel Parental Consent Form–It is suggested that the Grandparent have a copy of this signed form.
3.) Auburn University Hold Harmless Waiver
4.) Callaway’s Bike Waiver
5.) Callaway’s Aqua Park Waiver
6.) Photo Permission Form

The mailing address for Auburn University Elderhostel is:

Elderhostel Programs, Outreach Program Office
301 O.D. Smith Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849

or signed forms may be faxed to: (334) 844-3101.

* Even those participants who register together will need to fill out and submit separate forms (one per participant).

Specific Program Information

Reminders:

-Program check-in: 3:30-4:30 (Eastern time zone) – Go to hotel check-in desk to determine where Elderhostel registration has been assigned.
-Hotel check-in: 4:00 p.m. (Suggestion: Pack grandchild’s swim suit on top so it can be easily accessed, in case they want to swim before room assignments are made.)
-Last day’s class will be concluded by 10:00 a.m.
-Grandparents are responsible for child supervision.
-Return Grandchild Contact Information Form as soon as possible.
-Return all other forms by: May 28, 2008
-Grandparents CANNOT complete grandchild’s forms.

Classes and Activities:
-Most of the classes and activities are designed to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. However, there are a few time slots where the activities have been designed to let the youngsters and Grandparents each have some time “on their own”.
-Many activities are out of doors, in order to enjoy “Mother Nature”. But, we should be prepared for Mother Nature’s occasional rain shower.
-We will have a swimming activity at least once a day (and sometimes, twice a day) with a lifeguard on duty.
-Towels are provided pool side.
-Bike helmets and bikes are provided. You can bring your own helmet if so desired. Helmets will be required for the children.
-Tennis and golf equipment is provided for classes.

Transportation and Meals:

-We will ride a bus to any class/activity not within easy walking distance of the Inn.
-All breakfasts and dinners will be at the Plant Room at the Inn. Both meals are complete buffets.
-We will have three dinners which will have an optional, “kid friendly” menu (small pizza, chicken fingers, etc.). If so desired, these will be “pre-ordered” on the first night, or the child can go through the full buffet.
-Lunches are at different venues -Discovery Café, the Beach Pavilion, etc.

What to Bring for Intergenerational Programs:

- For “Look Alike, Dress Alike, Act Alike Activity”:
If you are driving, please bring a pair of scissors, scotch tape, and either some construction paper, crepe paper, napkins, paper plates, brown paper grocery bags, newspaper or some material(s) that you can use to design something for the “look alike, dress alike, act alike” activity without spending any money. In other words, we do not want you buying a special T-shirt or a special hat once you get here. Come with something you can design and “create” as a family unit, once you have arrived. (It might be fun to talk about this project with your family unit prior to joining us.)
If you are traveling by air, we will have some materials available for your project.

-For Hands-On Gardening Project:
Bring an old shoe that can be used as the container for our “shoe gardening” project.
Most shoes will have enough natural drainage to serve as a container. But, if you bring a heavy boot, please drill a few holes in the bottom, and maybe cut a slit on the side of the boot to plant a little greenery. If you are driving and have room for an extra old shoe, that would help our folks who are flying and who might have difficulty bringing an old shoe.

-Generally:
-Comfortable sport shoe (tennis shoe or walking shoe or jogging shoe) for sports activities and circus instruction.
-Sweater/light wrap in case air-conditioning is too strong.
-Lots of casual shorts/ t-Shirts. (We can live in T-Shirts)
-At least one swim suit for the grandparent.
-Two swim suits for the grandchildren with goggles if they like to wear them.
-Flip-flops or a slip-on shoe to go to the pool.
-Hat/Visor
-Sun screen
-Camera/film (Callaway/Pine Mountain might not have the kind of film or digital materials you need – Bring Extra)
-Bug spray
-Personal water bottle
-Flashlight
-Playing cards or favorite board games
-Toiletries and personal medications
-Props if you are going to share something with the group for the last night’s activity.
-Callaway Gardens does not allow “Heelys” (athletic shoes with roller on heel of shoe) in the facilities, so it would be best if a grand child did not bring that type of shoe to the program.

(Note: Any child medications will need to be administered by the Grandparent)

Program Schedule

(Tentative – SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Sunday:
3:30-4:30 pm           Registration
4:30-6:00                “Getting to Know You and Orientation”
6:00-7:15                Dinner at the Inn
7:30-8:30                “Moonlight Swim” (w/ lifeguard)

Monday:
6:30-8:15 am          Breakfast at the Inn
8:30-9:15                “Night Hunters”
9:30-10:15              “Snakes Alive”
10:30-11:00            “Callaway Birds of Prey”
11:00-12:15            Family Photo and Lunch at Discovery Café
12:45-2:00 pm         “Fun in the Sun” – Swim (w/ lifeguard)
2:00-3:15                Rest
3:30-5:30                “The Greatest Show On Earth – Hostelers learn circus skills”
5:45-6:55                Dinner at the Inn
7:15-7:50                Ice Cream Social at the Big Beach Pavilion
8:00-9:00                “Florida State University Flying High Circus Performance”

Tuesday:
6:30-8:30 am         Breakfast at the Inn
8:45-10:15              Activity for grandchildren (To Be Determined)
9:00-10:30              Activity for Grandparents (To Be Determined)
10:50                     Grandparents and grandchildren “hook up”
11:00-1:00 pm        Lunch and Fun at “The Beach” (paddle boats, putt-putt, shuffle board, lake swimming) (w/ lifeguard)
Note: An “early” bus returns to the Inn at about 12:30 pm ‘ish’
The second bus back to the Inn returns at 1:00 pm
1:15-1:45                Rest/Change clothes
2:00-3:00                Golf for the grandchildren
2:00-3:00                Rest/ Down time for the Grandparents
3:15-4:15                “Fun in the Sun” – Swim (w/ lifeguard)
4:15-5:30                Free Time/ Prep time for the “Dress Alike, Look Alike, Act Alike” Activity
5:30-6:30                Dinner at the Inn
7:00-8:00                “Dress Alike, Look Alike, Act Alike” Activity
8:15-9:00                Optional: Return to beach for live music and more shuffle board, ping pong, etc. at the Beach Pavilion

Wednesday:
6:30-8:45 am           Breakfast at the Inn
9:00-10:30              “Bike Hike” - For the Grandchildren” (Grandparents are welcome to join this activity – but most prefer to see Horticulture Center and Chapel)
9:15-10:45              “Sibley Horticulture Center and famous Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel” - For the Grandparents
11:00-11:45            Grandparents and grandchildren join up for rest of the day. “Winged Wonders: Hummingbirds”
12:00-12:45 pm       Lunch
1:00                       Load Bus
1:15-2:30                “Perfect Parrots” & “Flying Jewels at Day Butterfly Center”
2:30                       Load Bus
2:45-3:30                “Hands on Gardening Project” – Making a Shoe Garden
4:00-5:00                “Cool In The Pool” – Swim (w/ lifeguard)
5:00-6:00                Free Time and kids work on their memory poster
6:00-7:10                Dinner at the Inn
7:15-8:15                “Bingo Fun for Elderhostel” (w/ kid-friendly prizes)

Thursday:
6:30-8:00 am          Breakfast at the Inn
8:30-10:30              “Tremendous Tennis Times” – Everyone loves this!
11:15-12:30 pm       “Cool Down Swim at the Cottages Swimming Pool”
12:40-1:40              Lunch at Rockin’ Robins
2:00-3:00                “Aqua Park for the Grandchildren”
3:30-4:15                Grandkids “practice”
4:15-6:00                Complete diaries and posters
6:00-7:15                Dinner at the Inn
7:30-8:30 ‘ish’         “Graduation” and possible “skits and talents”

Friday:
6:30-7:30 am         Breakfast at the Inn
8:15-9:45                “Golf Putting For All” – Putting Instruction followed by a golf putting contest where grandparent and grandchild form team(s).
11:00                     Need to be checked out by 11:00 a.m.

AU ELDERHOSTEL HOME | OUTREACH PROGRAM OFFICE | ELDERHOSTEL | CONTACT US