Note: Settle into your housing for the week. Enjoy dinner with the participants in your program. Review the program schedule for the week, introduction to leadership, and get to know your fellow Road Scholar participants.

Afternoon: Arrival and check in at the Green Lake Conference Center. From the entrance gate to the Kraft Centre it will be 1.5 miles, watch for signs. Park your car in the circle in front of the Kraft Centre. At the Kraft Centre you will meet your hosts and you will receive your housing assignment and room card. After "moving in" you may want to explore the grounds, take a walk, or return to the Kraft Centre and talk to your hosts. You may check in at our Kraft Centre anytime after 3:00 PM, however, on occasion you may not be able to check into your room until 4:00 PM. Dinner is served from 5:00-6:00 PM.

Dinner: Buffet style dinner is served in conference center dining room. Tables reserved for Road Scholar.

Evening: We will begin our orientation with an introduction to the Center as "your home" for the week. An overview of the program will prepare you for all that has been planned. We will introduce the leadership, go over the schedule for the week and you will meet your fellow "participants." We will conclude our evening with refreshments and snacks. You may choose to wind down for the evening by adjourning to the lobby or lounge of your housing accommodations for "after session" conversation, watch TV, or read before retiring for the evening.

Lodging: Green Lake Conference Center

Meals Included: Dinner

Sessions on - Amish in Wisconsin, People of Wisconsin - Wisconsin's Extreme Weather Patterns

Note: Introduction to the Amish and their lifestyles, sessions on the heritage of Wisconsin immigrants including crafts, music and dance. Learn how the Great Lakes influence Wisconsin's weather.

Breakfast: Buffet style breakfast served in our dining room

Morning: We will begin each morning with daily announcements. We will go over the schedule for the day, where we will be and when, and respond to any questions or concerns. In our opening session we will learn about Amish traditions in Wisconsin. Who are the Amish and what is their origin? We will ask when and why did they come to Wisconsin and what does the future hold for them? Our instructor is a volunteer at the Conference Center who in recent years has established a relationship with the Amish and is very knowledgeable when it comes to Amish traditions. Lucille will focus on the history and culture of the Amish in America and specifically on a near-by Old Order Amish community. Included in this session will be learning about their clothing and customs such as weddings, church services, frolics and education. After our session we will take a refreshment break. For our second session we will have our first encounter with the People of Wisconsin. In every section of Wisconsin, people express their culture through creative expression in music, dance, crafts, stories and foods. This morning you will be introduced to the main ethnic groups and regions of Wisconsin through slides of extraordinary traditional craftwork by Wisconsinites. Some examples are Ho Chunk ash baskets, Ojibwa fishing decoys, Norwegian Hardanger fiddles, Polish decorated eggs, Hmong needlework and Mexican paper sculptures. You will hear the stories of the artists' cultural background, how the artists create the items, and why they value tradition enough to continue with their crafts in the traditional ways.

Lunch: Buffet style lunch served in our dining room

Afternoon: Our afternoon session starts where we left off this morning with People of Wisconsin. This afternoon we will focus on the musical/dance traditions in Wisconsin. Wisconsin expresses its culture beautifully through music and dance. You can hear the rhythm and see the moves at public events across the state such as parish festivals, fiddle contests, anniversary parties, country fairs, powwows, ethnic fests and town celebrations. This presentation will feature video clips and audio recordings of Wisconsin musicians and dancers from across the state. One emphasis will be on the official state dance, the polka. Do you know the difference between the Dutchman and Slovenian styles of polka music? Can you recognize a Polish hop being danced? We will also explore other types of music and dance traditions important to the state. After this session, you will have free time to explore the conference center grounds, shop in our gift store, walk along the lake, or rest.

Dinner: Buffet style dinner served in our dining room

Evening: Our evening session will focus on the extremes of Wisconsin's weather. A professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences will discuss climate variability and the many changing cycles that determine Wisconsin's weather patterns. We will discuss how the Great Lake's influence Wisconsin weather. How vulnerable are we to severe weather and how has global warming changed our weather? Included in this session will be a discussion on how climate and weather data is collected and how it has advanced over the years. Steve will answer all these questions as well as answer any questions you might have on weather and how it is changing throughout the United States. Refreshments will be served after this session. You may conclude the evening by adjourning to the lobby or lounge of your housing accommodations for "after session" conversation, watch TV, or read before retiring for the evening.

Lodging: Green Lake Conference Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sessions continue with Wisconsin's favorite foods, video on Amish traditions, introduction to Native Americans in Wisconsin, and the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

Note: Learn about the ethnic foods reflected in Wisconsin culture, view a DVD on Amish traditions, hear the fascinating stories about the final voyage of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and recognize the complexities of today's American Indian culture

Breakfast: Buffet style breakfast served in our dining room

Morning: We will begin with an overview of our day by your program hosts. In our morning session we will explore food traditions in Wisconsin. All of the favorite heritage food enjoyed in the state reflect community culture. Food traditions are often the element of heritage that is the longest lived in a family and community. This presentation will explore food traditions through slides and video clips that are based on conversations with Wisconsin heritage cooks and by attending events throughout the state. Can you describe a kringle, pastie and a pierogis? In this session we will discuss these and other ethnic foods that contributed to the food traditions in Wisconsin. After this session we will break for refreshments. For our second session we will view a DVD on the Old Order Amish. This film offers an intimate glimpse inside the Amish community including childhood, schools, rumspringa, weddings, funerals, worship and cottage industries. Experience their unique culture and discover how the Amish keep alive early American traditions in their quest to lead non-materialistic lives.

Lunch: Buffet style lunch served in our dining room

Afternoon: For your afternoon session we will hear about the stories relating to the demise of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The "Mighty Fitz" as it was called encountered a series of mishaps during its maiden launch in 1958. In 1975 the SS Edmund Fitzgerald an American Great Lakes freighter sank in Lake Superior taking along with it the entire crew of twenty-nine. The "Mighty Fitz" was the largest boat on the North America's Great Lakes and remains the largest boat to have sunk there. This is a fascinating story with its many twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. After this session you will again have free time to relax, enjoy the conference center grounds, shop in our gift store, or visit nearby communities.

Dinner: Buffet style dinner served in our dining room

Evening: This evening we introduce you to Mark Denning, a leader and head dancer of the Oneida Tribe. Mark will uncover some of the complexities in understanding the diversity in American Indian culture and history in Wisconsin. While the state has many federally recognized tribes in residence today, only two of the tribes, Oneida and Ojibway, will be used as examples. Through stories Mark will talk about some of the smaller story lines that will help the audience really see how daily life can be affected by understanding something as basic as modern behavior and the individual. Refreshments will be available after which you may adjourn for the evening with "after session" conversation, watch TV, or read before retiring for the evening.

Lodging: Green Lake Conference Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

All Day Amish Community Field Trip, Amish Home Cooked Lunch, Musical and Entertainment Evening

Note: Field trip to an Amish Community, including an Amish meal. Evening performance by a Barbershop Quartet

Breakfast: Buffet style breakfast served in our dining room

Morning: We will begin the day with announcements from your program hosts. Next we will review the activities planned for the day along with suggestions as to what to expect while visiting the area. After this brief session, we will board our coach for a field trip to an Amish Community. Our narrated field trip will include a visit to an Amish quilt maker, an Amish bulk food store, a carpentry shop to see work in progress, a buggy shop and a one room Amish school. We will have time to shop in an Amish country store and in an Amish woodworking store.

Lunch: Lunch will be served in an Amish home in the Amish community.

Afternoon: During the afternoon we will continue with our Amish tour. (Bring comfortable shoes and clothing for this trip.) This will be a highlight of the week. Note: Moderate walking required

Dinner: Buffet style dinner served in our dining room

Evening: To conclude our busy day, we have planned a social evening with music and entertainment. You will be entertained by a local Barbershop Quartet whose music will be a joy and whose humor...., well, we will leave you to be the judge of that. A fun night for all! The evening concludes with refreshments and snacks. As in past evenings, "after session" conversation, and TV, will be available in your hotel lobby or lounge.

Lodging: Green Lake Conference Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Session on Native Americans in Wisconsin, discussion on the landscape of Wisconsin and Green Lake, final session on Native Americans, and a Special Evening Program

Note: Session on Native Americans in Wisconsin. learn about the topography of Wisconsin and its effect on the Green Lake area, be part of a traditional Native American dance. Evening offers a special dramatic presentation by the granddaughter of the first woman doctor in Wisconsin.

Breakfast: Buffet style breakfast served in our dining room

Morning: Daily announcements by your program hosts along with an overview of the days activities. For our first session of the day we will hear from Mark on the changing times for American Indians. This will be a general overview of American Indian history. We will start with immigration theories, different traditional governance styles and contributions to modern American life. The influences are little taught in schools but had key roles in developing the idea of Americanism. In addition we will discuss treaty rights, gaming, current demographics and future plans that tribes are carving out for themselves. This reflective conversation will show what is happening today and where the American Indian seems to be headed, economically, socially and educationally. We will break up the morning with refreshments. In our second session of the morning we will delve into the topological features of the Green Lake Water Basin. Think about standing in front of a glacier. What do you feel? What do you hear? Is it really cold? Some 10,000 to 12,000 years ago the last great glacier stopped "moving" and very gradually started to melt and retreat. What happened to change the Wisconsin landscape? How did it influence the Green Lake water shed basin? These and many other questions will be answered by a local resident and environmentalist.

Lunch: Buffet style lunch served in our dining room

Afternoon: This afternoon we will have our final session on Native Americans in Wisconsin. Mark's topic will be on understanding Pow-Wow's in Wisconsin. This program will be about American Indian dance, traditional gatherings and contest dances in the state of Wisconsin. Mark will be talking about the diversity of tribes and dance styles represented at these Pow-Wow's. Participants will be able to be a part of this fast moving and educational program. This is a multi-media presentation, with the use of music, power-point and live performances of some of the dances unique to Wisconsin. Each person attending will receive a comprehensive listing of Pow-Wow's in the state, and around the country. It is the goal of the program that participants will be able to identify many of the unique dance regalia as they appear at Pow-Wow's and be able to know how to participate in the dance circle. After this session you will be able to choose your own entertainment. Some of you may want to explore nearby communities and their shops and for some, you might choose to explore the conference center grounds. It will be your afternoon.

Dinner: Buffet style dinner served in our dining room

Evening: Tonight we will present a very special program. Our special guest will provide a one person dramatization on the first Native American Woman Doctor who served in Wisconsin. This woman happens to be the presenters grandmother. It is an excellent performance and is a fitting conclusion of the history and present status of Native Americans in Wisconsin. We will conclude the evening with refreshments and snacks. You may choose to wind down for the evening by adjourning to the lobby or lounge of your housing accommodations for "after session" conversation, watch TV, or read before retiring for the evening.

Lodging: Green Lake Conference Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Departure Day. A member of the Amish Community will answer questions. A local resident will discuss the hardships and challenges as early settlers made their way into the Green Lake area. Q & A session will wrap up programming. Program ends with lunch

Note: Session with a leader of the Amish Community, and a session on the early settlers to the Green Lake area. Final Q & A session

Breakfast: Buffet style breakfast will be served in our dining room

Morning: Today we'll begin by packing up, and loading our cars. Next we will gather in our meeting room where your hosts will make final announcements and give you additional information on checking out of your rooms. For your first session we have invited one of the leaders of the Amish Community for a question and answer session. You may want to address such concerns as; "Why do you ride in cars and use other conveniences but refuse to own them?" Why do you work "off the farm" in the English Communities? Discussion can include a review of the Amish field trip including an overview of the homes and shops visited. These are just some suggestions as to the type of questions you may want answers for. After a short break we will learn about the early settlers in the Green Lake area. Early "pale-faced" visitors migrated to the Green Lake area (formerly called "Dartford") through the many major waterways of Wisconsin's lakes and rivers. It took almost a month for the first settler to move his family from Green Bay to Green Lake. Can you imagine the difficulties and hardships they experienced on their trip? Think of their first winter living in a shelter that had upright logs and blankets for walls. Who were their neighbors? What did they eat? How did they protect themselves against the elements and the wildlife? We will discuss this and any other questions you might have on "How did the early settler survive?" As the week comes to an end we will conclude the program with "final words and an evaluation conversation." This is a chance for you to share with other participants and the Road Scholar staff your feelings about this program and for you to offer suggestions for the future. The program concludes with lunch. We want to thank you for coming and wish you a safe journey home.

Lunch: Buffet style lunch will be served in our dining room. This concludes programming.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch