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Explore the World Without a Passport: An Intergenerational Adventure at Heifer Global Village

Program Number: 19819RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/22/2012 - 7/27/2012; 7/14/2013 - 7/19/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Sharpsburg, Maryland
Price starting at: $598.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational
Intergenerational
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

Program intended for grandchildren from 10 - 12 years of age.

Explore the world without crossing an ocean as you and your grandchild immerse yourselves in a kaleidoscope of cultures at a Heifer International Global Village. Inside replicas of traditional homes from around the world, enjoy the games, foods, dress and stories of Kenya, Thailand, Tibet, Mozambique, Guatemala and other countries. Create and play your own drum inspired by authentic African examples, visit the National Zoo to see the wildlife of faraway lands and peruse exotic goods at the International Marketplace. Explore a different continent each day, create your own passport to help you get around the village, and enjoy nature walks, swimming, campfires and more when you’re not busy discovering the far corners of the globe.




Highlights

• Create and play your own drum inspired by authentic African examples.
• Visit the National Zoo to see the wildlife of faraway lands.
• Enjoy nature walks, swimming, campfires and more when you’re not busy discovering the far corners of the globe.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles on uneven surfaces and unpaved trails.



At least one adult per child.



Coordinated by Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Ministry Center.




Sharpsburg

Sharpsburg lies east of the Potomac River near one of its tributaries, Antietam Creek, made famous by the pivotal Battle of Antietam during the American Civil War. Sharpsburg is part of Maryland’s Washington County, which attracts history fans with its numerous Civil War sites and nature buffs with its many national, state and local parks.
Accommodations
Modern lodge with natural spring, pavilion, fireplace and campfire circles. Classes, lodging, and meals under one roof. Some meals prepared by participants over open campfire. Alcohol prohibited. No Accommodations option excludes breakfasts.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Annette Lenker
Annette Lenker brings her expertise in elementary and special education into the heart of her work at Heifer Global Village at Shepherd’s Spring. As the director of this initiative, she is responsible for implementing programming and site development. Annette holds a liberal arts degree from Eastern Mennonite University, and has shared her love for learning during her work with summer camp programs for children and youth.
 
Dave Evason
"Nature" Dave Evason is a longtime student of nature and the role that people play in the world around them. He has served for numerous years as a naturalist and licensed spelunker at Shepherd's Spring summer camp programs. When not helping Shepherd's Spring, he follows his interests through involvement with several societies that promote learning and educational discovery in the outdoors.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Shepherd's Spring
  Sharpsburg, MD 5 nights
 Shepherd's Spring
Type: Conference Center
  Description: Situated at mile 83 along the C&O national park canal towpath, Shepherd's Spring has 220 acres of woodland and rolling meadows. Hiking trails and a natural spring are on the property. We are one of few host sites in the nation for a Heifer International Global Village.
  Contact info: 16869 Taylors Landing Road
Sharpsburg, MD 21782 USA
phone: 301-223-8193
web: www.shepherdsspring.org
  Room amenities: Rooms are simple and comfortable and include a luggage rack, dresser, desk, chair, and futon. Telephone and television are available in the common areas. Each room has its own private bathroom along with individually controlled heating and air conditioning. Linens are provided, though there is no maid service during the program.
  Facility amenities: Comfortable rooms with the distraction of TV and telephones only in the common areas. A free basic wireless internet access is available in the common area also. Free parking available on site.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: $45.00 Call ahead for availability at (301) 223-8193
  Check in time: 2:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $45.00 Call ahead for availability at (301) 223-8193
  Check out time: 12:30 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3 pm You will be staying at Shepherd's Spring that night.
  End of Program:
12:30 pm You will be staying at Shepherd's Spring the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Grandchildren need a waiver, health form and immunization record Grandparents need a health form and rooming confirmation
  Required innoculations:
Yes: Grandchildren must be current on immunizations and a record of innoculations must be sent with their health form.
  Parking availability:
free on site parking
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Sharpsburg, MD
  Nearest city or town:  Blair, MD
  Nearest highway: Interstates 81 and 70
  Nearest airport:  Hagerstown (limited service) BWI, IAD, Reagan National
  From End of Program
  Location: Sharpsburg, MD
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Sharpsburg

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Shepherd's Spring
phone: 301-223-8193
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$75, discounts for additional persons
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 1/2 
 

Distance:

 

75 miles
   

Airport transportation provided to and from BWI, IAD, and Washington Reagan. Regional airport at Hagerstown, MD transportation available for $20 per person. Please call ahead to schedule pick-up service. 301-223-8193
 

Sharpsburg

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Shepherd's Spring
phone: 301-223-8193

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$20
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

12 miles
   

Greyhound Bus terminal in Hagerstown, MD. Please call ahead to schedule pick-up . 301-223-8193
 

Sharpsburg

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Shepherd's Spring
phone: 301-223-8193

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$45
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

22 miles
   

AMTRAK service to Martinsburg, WV. Please call ahead to schedule pick-up. 301-223-8193 An alternative pickup from the Washington DC Union Station is to take the DC Metro System Red Line to Shady Grove and arrange for our shuttle to pick you up there. It is a 45 minute ride on the Red Line to the Shady Grove stop. Please call 301-223-8193 if you need assistance.
 
Driving Directions
  From Baltimore/Washington, Virginia-West, Virginia-East, or Pennsylvania Take I-70 West to the Route 65 interchange in Hagerstown (Exit 29.) Travel South on Route 65 for 7.1 miles to Taylors Landing Road - turn right onto Taylors Landing Rd. and drive 2.2 miles. You will cross a railroad track, pass houses, and then veer to the right. Stay on Taylors Landing Road. Drive along side a dry canal bed, and eventually cross a small creek. Pass 2 houses on the left, continue to the top of the hill. Look for a big sign on the left that says "Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Ministries Center Church of the Brethren." Turn left into the gravel driveway. The lodge is 7/10th of a mile from the end of the driveway.

From Virginia-West:

Go North on I-81 to I-70 east, to Rt. 65, and then follow above directions from where it says "Travel South on Rt. 65 for 7.1 miles..."

From Virginia-East:

Take I-495 to 270N to Frederick. Take I-70 W to Route 65, and then follow above directions from where it says "Travel South on Rt. 65 for 7.1 miles..."

From Pennsylvania:

Travel South on I-81 to I-70 East, to Rt. 65 South. Then follow the above directions from where it says "Travel South on Rt. 65 for 7.1 miles..."


Required innoculations:

Yes: Grandchildren must be current on immunizations and a record of innoculations must be sent with their health form.
Equipment Requirements: There is an option for an overnight in one of the Heifer Global Village Homes - a sleeping bag is needed for this activity. (some are available for loan)
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival & Check-in, Registration & Orientation, Greetings & Introduction to Heifer Global Village
(Sunday, July 22)

Note: Some sitting and standing to play "get-to-know-you" games, less than an hour at a time.
   
 Arrive To: Check in will start at 3:00pm in the lobby of the conference center. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk to pick up your arrival packet including your name tag and the updated schedule we’ll review during orientation.

Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.

 Dinner: Dinner is in the lodge dining hall: self-serve choices include hot dishes, salad bar, dessert, and beverages. The spacious dining hall provides a panoramic view of fields, surrounding woods, and occasionally wildife. The exceptional food service staff provides meals that may include vegetarian options and other choices appropriate to our global community.
 Evening: Meet and greet everyone in the group along with the super program staff. We’ll review the up-to-date schedule and talk about responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, etc., and answer your questions. We’ll also have an activity to brush up on geography as you get your “passport” for the week's “travels” through Heifer Global Village.

In this special program, you’ll learn through experience, with lots of hands-on activities for grandparents and grandkids. Heifer Global Village at Shepherd’s Spring is full of dwellings, gardens, and animals that represent several countries. The village is a teaching project of Heifer International, a non-profit organization that works to improve people's sources of nutrition and income through training and gifts of livestock. You’ll learn how people live in these places around the world and how we can help end hunger and poverty in ways that care for the earth. Believe it or not, part of the fun is helping out with chores!
   
Accommodations: Shepherd's Spring
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Early Morning Livestock, Introduction to Heifer Global Village Animals, "Travel" to Guatemala, Guatemalan Food, Caving and afternoon activities, African Drum Project
(Monday, July 23)

Note: Walking up to 2 miles on unlevel and unpaved surfaces to access the cave or participate in other activities.
   
 Breakfast: Rise and shine! Before breakfast, meet the friendly goats, chickens, and rabbits as we help with livestock chores. Then enjoy a hearty hot breakfast that also includes fresh fruit and cereal selections.
 Morning: Learn what Heifer Global Village is all about and how the Heifer organization works with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. The village, built in the woods at Shepherd’s Spring, consists of several international homes representing different countries and cultures.

Our first stop is "Guatemala," where we’ll experience the culture through games, stories, and a visit to their home.

 Lunch: Get a real taste of Guatemala by helping to prepare your lunch — Guatemala style! — with tortillas cooked on a wood fired stove, huevos rancheros (ranch style eggs), and fried bananas.
 Afternoon: Cool off with swim time in the pool. Then we'll take a guided hike to the local cave. If you prefer, you could visit the open air garden with its composting worms or learn about Guatemalan weaving. Grandparents and grandkids may participate as a pair, or if you choose separate activities, staff will supervise the kids.
 Dinner: Dinner in the dining hall. Self-serve choices include hot dishes, salad bar, dessert, and beverages.
 Evening: SHARED PROJECT: Working together, you can make an authentic African drum to take home (materials provided). Begin by learning all about the process and choosing design elements. Depending on the intricacy of your design, the project could take up to 12 hours to complete.

As a special highlight, grandparents and grandkids may choose to sleep out tonight in one of the Heifer Global Village homes. If you want have this experience, you’ll need a sleeping bag. (We have a few available for loan but better to bring your own.) Some homes have beds, others have mats to roll out on the dirt floors. On this night, it's grandparents and grandkids sharing together. Staff will be available to chaperone sleep-outs on another evening.
   
Accommodations: Shepherd's Spring
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Asia: Life in Thailand and Tibet, Thai Food, Make Cheese, Evening Activities
(Tuesday, July 24)

Note: Standing up to an hour at a time or walking up to a mile over the course of the day on unpaved trails.
   
 Breakfast: Hearty breakfast with hot choices, fresh fruit, and cereal selections.
 Morning: Travel to our Thailand site and explore a home made of bamboo. Learn how the people live, what they eat, and about fish ponds and rice. Play games and make crafts enjoyed by Thai children. Then setlle down to hear their favorite stories.
 Lunch: Help to prepare a Thai-style meal similar to those people in Thailand eat everyday.
 Afternoon: Discover the Tibet region of China. Experience life in a yak hair yurt (the equivalent of a Tibetan tent), the summer home of the Yak herders. Discover the importance of the colorful prayer flags surrounding the home and learn about preserving milk products by making your own cheese!

Time for a quick swim before dinner.

 Dinner: Dinner will be in the lodge dining room. Self-serve choices include hot dishes, salad bar, dessert, and beverages.
 Evening: Continue to work on your African drum or other Thai crafts. Then we'll all enjoy songs and S'mores at a campfire.

Once again, grandparents and grandkids may choose to sleep out in one of the Heifer Global Village homes. If you want to have this experience, you'll need a sleeping bag. (We have a few available for loan but better to bring your own.) Some homes have beds, others have mats to roll out on the dirt floors. On this night, it's grandparents and grandkids sharing together. Staff will be available to chaperone sleep-outs on another evening.
   
Accommodations: Shepherd's Spring
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Southern Africa: Life in Mozambique and Kenya, Free Afternoon, Evening Activities
(Wednesday, July 25)

Note: Standing up to an hour at a time or walking up to a mile over the course of the day on unpaved trails.
   
 Breakfast: Hearty breakfast with hot choices, fresh fruit, and cereal selections.
 Morning: Place the finishing touches on your drum and complete its construction as you stretch and secure the drum head.
 Lunch: Help to prepare an African-style lunch in the kitchens of Mozambique and Kenya.
 Afternoon: Travel to the African nations of Mozambique and Kenya and experience the rural life conditions in these countries. Hear their stories and learn about their cultures. Then cool off from the African heat in our pool.
 Dinner: Dinner in the dining hall. Self-serve choices include hot dishes, salad bar, dessert, and beverages.
 Evening: Field games and garden activities led by our staff round out the evening. Afterwards, you may continue to work together on your African Drum.
   
Accommodations: Shepherd's Spring
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Field Trip to National Zoo and Global Food Market, Drumming around the Campfire, Overnight Sleep-out in Heifer Global Village
(Thursday, July 26)

Note: Walking two miles on paved surfaces (though up and down hills) at the National Zoo. More miles may be covered at the zoo if guests do more than the activity given by Shepherd's Spring staff.
   
 Breakfast: Help with animal chores before a hearty breakfast in the dining hall with hot choices, fresh fruit, and cereal selections.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: National Zoo Wildlife Scavenger Hunt. The National Zoo in Washington, DC is a beautiful urban park and a peaceful place to enjoy nature. With a long history of innovation and leadership in the care and exhibition of wild animals, the exhibits take you around the world. Your assignment is to find animals native to the countries we've explored in the Global Village. Together, grandparents and grandkids will discover fascinating facts along with the animals as you complete the wildlife scavenger hunt through the National Zoo exhibits.
 Lunch: Lunch today is a safari theme picnic at the Zoo.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Continuing our global theme, we’ll move on to Global Food in nearby Ashburn, Virginia. This international supermarket offers foods of many countries. A staffer will tell you about the store and some of the more unusual food items. To make it really interesting, each team will decide on a recipe from another part of the world and then find the special ingredients needed to prepare it. (These recipes and their preparation will be part of the closing lunch tomorrow.)
 Dinner: Dinner tonight features favorites from Appalachia such as cornbread and fried okra.
 Evening: DRUMMERS & DRUMMING: Local drummers set the beat then share the stage as you play your newly created African Drum around the evening campfire. Afterwards, time to cool off with a quick swim.

Continue the international experience with a sleep-out in one of the Heifer Global Village homes (sleeping bag needed). Staff are available to supervise the kids tonight if grandparents prefer to sleep in the lodge.
   
Accommodations: Shepherd's Spring
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Create a memory keepsake. Lunch sampler from around the world.
(Friday, July 27)

Note: Some walking on uneven trails, standing for an hour or more to prepare the cultural meal. There are benches or chair provided at the meal preparation areas.
   
 Breakfast: The hearty hot breakfast in the dining room also includes fresh fruit and cereal selections.
 Morning: MORNING ACTIVITIES: Say goodbye to your animal friends as you help with the morning chores, just like families from around the world do every day.

You’ll have an opportunity to create a keepsake — either a collage picture frame or photo album to hold your favorite snapshots from the program. Then we'll replay our favorite games from around the world.

 Lunch: The program concludes with an international lunch sampler you help prepare. Grandparent-grandkid teams can work together with other teams to prepare recipes using the supplies we got at Global Food yesterday. We’ll share all these new and tasty dishes at the international lunch table and say farewell to new friends.

We hope you have enjoyed this new program and will join us again for other rewarding Road Scholar learning adventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

 Afternoon: Check out is immediately following lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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