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Massachusetts

Discovering Historic Plymouth & Cape Cod With Your Grandchild

Grandparent

History

Nature & Environment

Ages 7 – 10

Wishlist Start

Journey to Plymouth Rock with your grandchild to find out about life in America 400 years ago for pilgrims and native people. Learn about the Mayflower, and watch for whales!

Rating (5)

Activity Level

Program No. 16349RJ

Length

6 days

Starts at

1,949 / ADULT

1,149 / CHILD

Massachusetts

Discovering Historic Plymouth & Cape Cod With Your Grandchild

Journey to Plymouth Rock with your grandchild to find out about life in America 400 years ago for pilgrims and native people. Learn about the Mayflower, and watch for whales!

Activity Level

Length

6 days

Starts at

1,949 / ADULT

1,149 / CHILD

Length

6 days

Rating (5)

Activity Level

Starts at

1,949 / ADULT

1,149 / CHILD

Program No. 16349RJ

Your well-being is our #1 priority

To make your experience as safe as possible, we require all participants to be fully vaccinated. See our Safety Roadmap

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768

Plan ahead.

What kind of weather can you expect? Take a look!

Age 7 - 10

	ROOMING OPTION PRICING The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
DATES
Jun 25 - Jun 30, 2023 Per Adult 1,949 Per Child 1,149 Select
Jun 25 - Jun 30, 2023	1,949 / Adult 1,149 / Child	1,949 / Adult 1,149 / Child	2,549 / Adult 1,149 / Child	Select Date

Jul 9 - Jul 14, 2023 Per Adult 1,949 Per Child 1,149 Select
Jul 9 - Jul 14, 2023	1,949 / Adult 1,149 / Child	1,949 / Adult 1,149 / Child	2,549 / Adult 1,149 / Child	Select Date

Jul 16 - Jul 21, 2023 Per Adult 1,949 Per Child 1,149 Select
Jul 16 - Jul 21, 2023	1,949 / Adult 1,149 / Child	1,949 / Adult 1,149 / Child	2,549 / Adult 1,149 / Child	Select Date

Deposit, Transfer & Cancellation Policy

Program Terms & Conditions

Discovering Historic Plymouth & Cape Cod With Your Grandchild

Program No. 16349RJ Deposit at Enrollment: 100 Final payment due: 59 days before departure date

Transfer & Cancellation Policy

Note: These fees apply to at least one date of this program, but may vary by date.

If you transfer or cancel:

fee will be applied if you do not call Road Scholar Participant Services at least one business day prior to the program start date.

Transfer Fee: 100 % of order total

Cancel Fee: 100 % of order total

less than 14 days prior to program start date

Transfer Fee: 50 % of order total

Cancel Fee: 50 % of order total

55 to 14 days prior to program start date

Cancel Fee: $200.00

119 to 56 days prior to program start date

Cancel Fee: $100.00

up to 120 days prior to program start date

Cancel Fee: $50.00

up to 14 days prior to program start date

Transfer Fee: $0.00

If you transfer or cancel:	Transfer Fee:	Cancel Fee:
fee will be applied if you do not call road scholar participant services at least one business day prior to the program start date.	100 % of order total	100 % of order total
less than 14 days prior to program start date	50 % of order total	50 % of order total
55 to 14 days prior to program start date		$200.00
119 to 56 days prior to program start date		$100.00
up to 120 days prior to program start date		$50.00
up to 14 days prior to program start date	$0.00

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

For the greatest peace of mind and protection, we require all Road Scholar participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having received all recommended boosters if eligible.

Road Scholar Program Terms and Conditions

How to Enroll in a Program

Call Us or Enroll Online To enroll

Please call us toll free at (877) 426-8056, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. You may also enroll online at www.roadscholar.org. To reserve space on a program, Road Scholar requires a deposit followed by final payment.

Road Scholar is Not-For-Profit

Road Scholar is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that incurs over $5 million annually on credit card fees. Please help us reduce this cost by paying for your program with a check. Please consider our paperless check option when paying on the phone or over the Internet. Our Advisors are happy to explain this payment option to you.

Tax-Deductible Donations

As a not-for-profit organization, we appreciate and rely on charitable donations to help us develop and maintain high-quality educational programs with exceptional value. Donations from U.S. citizens are tax-deductible as provided by law. As Road Scholar is not a registered charity in Canada, donations are not tax deductible for Canadian citizens.

Financial Assistance

Road Scholar offers two kinds of assistance: Scholarships, for those with desire but not the financial means to participate in our U.S.- or Canada-based learning adventures; and Caregiver Grants, designed to provide a unique respite opportunity for unpaid family caregivers to participate in a U.S.- or Canada-based Road Scholar program. Visit https://www.roadscholar.org/about/financial-assistance/scholarships, email us at scholarships@roadscholar.org, or call us toll free at (877) 426-8056.

General Program Information

Activity Level Ratings

Each Road Scholar program is assigned an Activity Level rating, ranging from Easy Going to Challenging, which are noted on program webpages. Try our Advanced Search tool to find programs that match your activity level. If you have special needs, or need a little extra help in finding the right program for your level of fitness and ambition, please call us and we’ll work to find options for you.

Disabilities and Special Needs

Road Scholar is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to participants with special needs and disabilities. If you have special needs requiring accommodation, please communicate them to Road Scholar at the time of enrollment. We will discuss your request with you and make every effort to accommodate you.

Service Learning

Our Service Learning programs bring participants together to work as a team to serve worthy projects. Road Scholar and sponsoring service institutions are not-for-profit organizations and are tax-exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The program price may qualify as a tax-deductible gift. However, since individual circumstances vary, we suggest participants contact their tax advisors.

Included Emergency Assistance and Medical Evacuation Insurance

Road Scholar’s continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified in our Road Scholar Assurance Plan. Whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our programs overseas, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under the Road Scholar Assurance Plan. This plan is purchased by Road Scholar on behalf of every participant. The plan provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program and insurance for emergency medical evacuation. This plan includes insurance benefits underwritten by Arch Insurance Company and emergency assistance services provided by LiveTravel Assist. To learn more about this plan, including its terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions, and to view and download a certificate of insurance, please visit: www.roadscholar.org/about/included-insurance/

Travel Health

In addition to maintaining necessary vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccination, Road Scholar recommends all participants consult with their physician, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Department of State regarding their health condition and any recommendations specific to the destinations they will visit or transit well before departure. While Road Scholar does its best to provide pertinent information regarding international health requirements and travel health precautions for travel abroad, please remember we are not health experts and can only share with you the recommendations made by the CDC and the US Department of State. It It is therefore your responsibility to consult with your physician and/or contact the CDC for health information specific to your travel destination. Your physician will be able to assess your overall health and fitness, provide information and guidance on health risks you may encounter while traveling, medication you may need to take, and other precautions for the prevention of injury and illness during your program.

Here is guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on how to avoid contracting and spreading an illness.

Only travel if you are healthy. Stay home if you are sick, displaying any symptoms of potential sickness.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For those looking for additional resources on this topic, we recommend trusted sources such as your physician, the US Department of State, CDC, and WHO.

U.S. Department of State: www.travel.state.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/travel
World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/

Your health and safety are of the utmost importance to us. Click here to learn more about Road Scholar’s commitment to our participants’ well-being and the steps you can take to keep yourself healthy when traveling, or visit www.roadscholar.org/practical-information/general-health-safety/

Please also be sure to review our Travel Updates webpage for the latest travel information. Click here to review our Travel Updates page, or visit www.roadscholar.org/policies/

Domestic Travel Arrangements

Programs in the United States and Canada require independent arrivals and departures unless otherwise stated, meaning that you must make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. If you are flying to your program, you will be responsible for getting yourself from the airport to the starting location of your program and returning to the airport at the end. Please keep in mind that many airlines assess penalties if you need to change or cancel your ticket— up to 100 percent of the ticket price in certain cases — for which you will be responsible. Please also be aware that Road Scholar may occasionally have to alter a program in a way that affects flight schedules, and you will be responsible for changing your flight arrangements and paying applicable fees. For the greatest protection, we recommend waiting until 60 days prior to your program in the United States or Canada to purchase airfare.

International Travel Arrangements

Road Scholar Can Help Arrange Your International Airfare

Almost all of our international programs can be purchased with airfare arranged by Road Scholar. We have negotiated special international rates with major airlines. A list of departure cities can be found by visiting our website or calling to speak with one of our experienced Advisors. As an added benefit, guaranteed airport transfers on the program’s published start and end date are included with your international air travel when arranged through Road Scholar. If your preferred airport is not listed, or you would like to travel on a different day, travel in premium or business class, specify the airline or routing, or travel independently before or after our program, we are happy to customize and create a personalized air travel itinerary to meet your needs. Select the “Custom Flight Arrangements” option and then the airport you want, or discuss your flight preferences with one of our expert air Travel Advisors.

Arranging Your Own International Airfare

If you choose to make your own international air travel arrangements, you will be responsible for getting yourself from the airport to the starting location of your program and returning to the airport at the end. Please keep in mind that many airlines assess penalties if you need to change or cancel your ticket— up to 100 percent of the ticket price in certain cases — for which you will be responsible. Please also be aware that Road Scholar may occasionally have to alter a program in a way that affects flight schedules, and you will be responsible for changing your flight arrangements and paying applicable fees. For the greatest protection, we recommend waiting until 90 days prior to your International program to purchase airfare,

Road Scholar Optional Trip Protection with “Cancel for Any Reason” Coverage

The optional Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan helps protect your investment if you must cancel or interrupt your program for specified, covered reasons, such as illness or injury to you, your traveling companion or an immediate family member of you or your traveling companion. Plus, if you need to cancel your program for any reason not covered by insurance, you will receive a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar for the full amount of the Road Scholar cancellation fee. The plan also provides benefits if you are delayed getting to or returning home from your program and protects your investment should you have an emergency during your program that causes you to miss program days or return home earlier than expected. Your airfare, whether purchased through Road Scholar or independently, is covered at no additional cost — an exceptional benefit and value offered exclusively to Road Scholar participants. You will receive information about this optional travel insurance plan when you enroll in a program. To learn more about this plan, including its terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions, and to view and download a certificate of insurance, please visit: www.roadscholar.org/about/protection-plan.

Additional Program Information

Our goal is to make sure our participants have the most enjoyable and rewarding program experience possible. Whether you are considering one of Road Scholar’s many educational adventures or are currently enrolled in a program, we highly recommend you review the additional program information available in the Practical Information section on our website. The section includes a wide range of topics and information -- everything from how to choose the perfect program to traveling solo to insurance. Please visit www.roadscholar.org/practical-information, or call us (877) 426-8056 if you have specific questions.

Program Policies

Deposit, Transfer and Cancellation Policy

Road Scholar requires deposits for all its programs, and charges fees if you transfer or cancel your enrollment. Deposits and fees vary between programs. Please refer to the Deposit, Transfer & Cancellation Policy on program webpages for specific deposit amounts, and transfer and cancellation fee schedules.

About Program Details and Itineraries

We make every effort to operate our programs as advertised. The information on our website is updated regularly, and reflects the most up to date information. We are committed to providing participants with final program details no later than three weeks before the start of land programs within the United States, four weeks for programs International and Afloat programs. and one week for online programs. However, itineraries or other aspects of a program may change due to situations beyond the control. If this happens we will do our best to notify you of the change prior to arriving on your program. We ask you to pack a little extra patience and flexibility, just in case there are last-minute changes to your program.

If Road Scholar Cancels or Interrupts a Program

Road Scholar reserves the right to cancel programs prior to departure, terminate a program early, and to take action as needed on an individual or group basis when, in Road Scholar’s opinion, the health, safety or well-being of participants requires such action. Additionally, due to low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances, Road Scholar must occasionally cancel or change the dates of a program. When that occurs we will notify you as far in advance as possible and will assist you in transferring your enrollment to another program or refunding your full Road Scholar program payment. If you have made transportation arrangements, such as an airline ticket purchase, Road Scholar will give you a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar to help cover the cost of transferring your travel arrangements for use on a replacement program. The maximum value of the credit will be $300 and documentation of your paid fees is required before issuance of the credit.

Accuracy of Information

While every effort is made to provide accurate information on our website and in our catalogs, Road Scholar is not responsible for typographical errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may relate to program descriptions, pricing, and availability. Road Scholar reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may appear in our publications, and to change or update information at any time without prior notice. If you discover an error on our website or catalog, please let us know.

Program Pricing

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities at a remarkable value. We do everything in our power to ensure that the published program price is the price you pay. On occasion, costs we can’t anticipate and that are beyond our control arise and may be passed along to you. If this occurs, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Terms and Conditions

Program Selection
We want every participant to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding program experience. The travel and activities of Road Scholar programs require participants to be in good general health and capable of performing all program activities as described by the program description and its corresponding Activity Level. As a group travel experience, participants must be capable of caring for themselves during the program and agree not to impede the progress of the program or interfere with the enjoyment of other participants. Participants are required to disclose known medical and physical conditions that may interfere with their safety and well being or the safety and well being of others during this program. Road Scholar may limit or terminate the participation in the program at the participant’s expense and without refund any participants who fail to disclose all medical information or do not honestly assess their physical capabilities in advance. With this information in mind, carefully consider the travel and program demands as described on the Road Scholar website, and consult with your physician about your travel plans. If after enrolling you have second thoughts about the program you chose, please call us and we will be happy to assist you in finding a program better suited to your abilities.

Responsibility

Road Scholar’s responsibility is limited. Road Scholar organizes, promotes, and sells educational programs consisting of certain travel services, including land, air, and water transportation, excursions, and cruise/barge/hotel accommodations that Road Scholar purchases or reserves from various suppliers (collectively, “Suppliers”). Road Scholar neither owns nor operates any of these Suppliers; they are independent contractors and are not Road Scholar’s agents. Therefore, Road Scholar is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any Supplier or any other third party. You agree that you will look to such Suppliers, and not to Road Scholar or its agents, for any accident, injury, property damage, or personal loss you may suffer. Without limitation, Road Scholar is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay, or inconvenience in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from — but not limited to — acts of God or force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation, or the failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Road Scholar.

Safety & Risks

Certain risks — from natural disasters to accidents, outbreaks of illness, crime, insect-borne and other infectious diseases, environmental risks to health, terrorism and other unforeseen events — are inherent in travel. While such occurrences are beyond our control, we make substantial efforts to be prepared for such possibilities. Participants are encouraged to review the safety and travel information provided by the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn about current security issues, travel advisories and warnings, recent embassy notices, country-specific health information, health risks you may encounter while traveling, precautions for the prevention of illness, disease and general health issues during your program and other helpful destination-specific information. By enrolling in a program, you agree to assume responsibility for your own health, safety, and welfare, and acknowledge that Road Scholar cannot guarantee your safety or health at any time.

Admission & Participation Policy

The granting or denial of admission to a program is within the sole discretion of Road Scholar. Road Scholar reserves the right to revoke admission or terminate or limit participation at any time if Road Scholar reasonably determines a participant’s condition, behavior or actions are inappropriate or disruptive, or adversely affect the participant’s health or safety, or the health, safety or enjoyment of other participants. Road Scholar reserves the right to take action as needed on an individual or group basis when, in Road Scholar’s sole opinion, the health, safety or well-being of participants requires such action.

Photography and Video

Road Scholar reserves the right to take photographs, videos or audio/visual recordings during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them, whether taken by a representative of Road Scholar or by other participants, for promotional purposes. By enrolling in a Road Scholar program, participants agree to allow their images or recordings to be used for such purposes. Participants who prefer that their images or recordings not be used are asked to identify themselves to program staff and the photographer at the commencement of their program. For Road Scholar online programs, all audio or video recordings, content and materials are the property of Road Scholar. Participants are prohibited from taking screen captures, or making, copying or distributing all or part of any audio or video recordings of online programs.

Online Program Terms

If you enroll in one of Road Scholar’s online programs, you are responsible for the integrity of the device on which you will attend this online program, as well as your own high-speed internet connection. Road Scholar is not responsible for outages or interruptions in internet service. Road Scholar cannot and will not provide recordings, content or materials, or provide reimbursement of any kind, for missed portion(s) of your online program, regardless of the reason.

Seller of Travel Information

Road Scholar’s state of Washington Seller of Travel Reg. No. 602244658. CST #2068427-40. Florida Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST35594.

Modifications to Terms and Conditions

Road Scholar reserves the right at any time to update, change, modify, or revise these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will become effective upon posting the changes, modifications or revisions to the Terms and Conditions. Accordingly, participants should review Road Scholar’s Terms and Conditions regularly prior to travel in order to ensure they are aware of any changes.

2022 Elderhostel. All rights reserved. The Road Scholar service marks, logos, website address and other marks are owned by Elderhostel, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring adults to learn, discover and travel.

Optional Trip Protection Plan

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768

6 days

5 nights

13 meals

5B 4L 4D

Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Plymouth, MA

Plimoth Patuxet Museum, Plymouth Waterfront

Plymouth, MA

Marine Biological Lab Study Cruise, Coastal Exploration

Plymouth, MA

Whale Watching Expedition, Free Time

Plymouth, MA

Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Greenbriar Nature Center

Plymouth, MA

Plimoth Grist Mill, Program Concludes

Plymouth, MA

View Full Itinerary

At a Glance

Ahoy, matey! Hop aboard this Atlantic adventure on the coast of Massachusetts with your grandchild. Have you ever wanted to meet a pilgrim who sailed aboard the Mayflower? Now you can! At Plimoth Plantation, costumed colonists will tell you what it was like to live in America almost 400 years ago. Find out about their dangerous journey across the Atlantic Sea, and walk through houses like the ones they built in their new home of Plimoth (later spelled Plymouth). Meet boat scientists who will help you navigate Atlantic waterways, and grab your binoculars as you search the waters for the largest mammal on earth: the whale. Plus, go on a scavenger hunt and have fun swimming in the ocean!

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to two miles a day on uneven terrain. Sitting and standing during lectures and activities. Riding motor coach for around 1-1.5 hour a day.

Best of all, you’ll…

Step into the lives of Pilgrims and Native Americans who lived in the region through living history exhibits and workshops at the Plimoth Patuxet Museum.
While onboard a research vessel, become a scientist yourself as you fill your test tubes for plankton to learn about Cape Cod’s marine animals.
Set out on a whale watching expedition in Plymouth Harbor.

General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 7-10.

Featured Expert

All Experts

George Schmidt

George Schmidt holds two advanced degrees as well as certifications as an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service and as a Certified Financial Planner. George has a passion for traveling and has been fortunate enough to visit all seven continents; in this process, he has visited more than 90 countries. While all travels have an impact, he says the most life-changing was a safari in Kenya. George has lived mostly in Massachusetts and currently lives on Cape Cod.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

George Schmidt View biography

Suggested Reading List (7 books)

Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop

You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

Search for a Title

Plymouth Colony: Its History & People, 1620-1691

by Eugene Aubrey Stratton

This is the first truly complete treatment of the history and genealogy of Plymouth Colony. It includes a concise history of the colony, both chronologically and topically, and more than 300 biographical sketches of its inhabitants. Richly documented and illustrated with maps and photographs, the three-dimensional Plymouth Colony: Its History & People, 1620-1691 was written for historians and genealogists alike and provides and in-depth view of this important epoch in American history.

If You Sailed On The Mayflower in 1620

by Ann McGovern

CHILD BOOK age 7 and up What kind of ship was the Mayflower? How did the Pilgrims feel when they saw land? What was the first building in Plymouth? In lively question-and-answer style, this fact-filled book answers all sorts of questions about the Pilgrims' journey on the Mayflower and their first year in America. Boys and girls will find out why the Pilgrims left England to live in America, what they took with them on board the Mayflower, and the hardships they endured. They'll learn what the Mayflower Compact was, how the Pilgrims made a peace treaty with the Indians, and how these brave settlers managed to survive in their new land. Ms McGovern has carefully researched the Pilgrims' journey and their first year in America. Her portrayal is full of fascinating detail about their everyday life. Young readers will be intrigued to discover that Pilgrim boys and girls slept on corn husk mattresses they made themselves, and that most of the houses had only one chair -- which was reserved for the man of the house! The humorous, true-to-life illustrations serve as effective complements to the informative, fun-to-read text.

Manitou and Providence: Indians, Europeans, and the Making of New England, 1500-1643

by Neal Salisbury

Making a radical departure form traditional approaches to colonial American history, this book looks back at Indian-white relations from the perspective of the Indians themselves. In doing so, Salisbury reaches some startling new conclusions about a period of crucial-yet often overlooked-contact between two irreconcilably different cultures.

Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War

by Nathaniel Philbrick

Nathaniel Philbrick became an internationally renowned author with his National Book Award winning In the Heart of the Sea, hailed as spellbinding by Time magazine. In Mayflower, Philbrick casts his spell once again, giving us a fresh and extraordinarily vivid account of our most sacred national myth: the voyage of the Mayflower and the settlement of Plymouth Colony. From the Mayflower's arduous Atlantic crossing to the eruption of King Philip's War between colonists and natives decades later, Philbrick reveals in this electrifying history of the Pilgrims a fifty-five-year epic, at once tragic and heroic, that still resonates with us today.

Whale Port

by Mark Foster

CHILD BOOK age 10 and up Long before the invention of electricity or the discovery of underground reservoirs of fossil fuels, people depended on whale oil to keep their lamps lit. A few brave Colonial farmers left their fields and headed out to sea to chase whales and profits farther and farther off shore. When they did, towns sprung up around their harbors as demand grew for sailors, blacksmiths, ropewalkers, and the many other craftsmen needed to support the growing whaling industry. Through the fictional village of Tuckanucket, Whale Port explores the history of these towns. Detailed illustrations and an informative narrative reveal the way Tuckanucket’s citizens lived and worked by sharing the personal stories of people like Zachariah Taber, his family and neighbors, and the place they called home. Whale Port is also the story of America, and the important role whales played in its history and development as people worked together to build communities that not only survived, but prospered and grew into the flourishing cities of a new nation.

Journey Around Cape Cod From A to Z

by Martha Zschock

CHILD BOOK age 6 and up Author and illustrator Martha Zschock was a third-grade teacher on Cape Cod. When taking her students on field trips on the Cape, she discovered what sites and stories excited them most. Drawing on that experience, she created what one Cape Cod bookseller calls "the best Cape book we've ever had," and the first in a series of alphabet books that visit great American places. Journey Around Cape Cod and the Islands From A to Z is an alphabet book, but one that is equally enjoyable and interesting for children of all ages and for adults, as well. From Aptucxet to Zooplankton, it offers fascinating information about the Cape and its history, all of it illustrated with Zschock's beautiful watercolor work.

A Place Apart: A Cape Cod Reader

by Robert Finch

A Place Apart features essays and firsthand accounts of notable experiences throughout Cape Cod, including native Wampanoag creation myths; eyewitness accounts of the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620; candid stories of early life in the Old Colony; fascinating and often-harrowing accounts of the whaling and fishing industries; and so much more. The collection includes famous passages by and about such writers as Melville, Thoreau, Helen Keller, Edmund Wilson, and Kurt Vonnegut, among others.

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6 days

5 nights

13 meals

5 B 4 L 4 D

DAY

Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Plymouth, MA

Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any up-updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Your program materials will be sent to you a few days before the program, digitally, through your roadscholar.org account. This includes your program itinerary, any related handouts, and restaurant/free time suggestions. Please plan to print them out and bring along to the program, utilize the hotel's business center to access them, or view them on your own personal electronic device. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. For field trips outdoors, wear sneakers, casual clothes you don’t mind getting wet, and always apply sun protection. Bring a windbreaker or sweatshirt, towel, bathing suit, and change of clothes/shoes for our coastal explorations. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel. Meet with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

Plimoth Patuxet Museum, Plymouth Waterfront

Plymouth, MA

B,L,D

Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 10 miles total; about 1/2 hour roundtrip. Walking up to 2 miles at Plimoth Plantation; on our feet up to 2 hours; unpaved and hilly terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we’ll have vouchers for a full breakfast served with milk, juice, coffee, tea, water included.

Morning: We’ll board a motorcoach for a field trip to Plimoth Patuxet Museum. Led by an expert, we’ll walk through this living history museum complete with actors who portray 17th century colonists and learn about these early settlers. Then we’ll visit the Wampanoag Village and the Pilgrim Settlement with a museum expert, and then have some time to explore on our own.

Lunch: At Plimoth Patuxet Museum's café with vouchers.

Afternoon: We’ll continue at Plimoth Patuxet Museum with on-site staff as they offer commentary related to pilgrim and Native American life as we explore the activities on site. Then we’ll head to Plymouth Harbor via motorcoach for a walking field trip led by a Plimoth Plantation expert. For the first few years of its existence, this was the exact location where Plymouth Colony stood. We will see Plimoth Plantation's full-scale reproduction of the original Mayflower that sailed to Plymouth in 1620 and learn about its voyage from our local expert. Additionally, we will see and learn about other major sites vital to Plymouth's history, like Plymouth Rock, Cole's Hill, Leyden Street, and Town Brook. We’ll then return to the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel

Evening: At leisure. You may like to take a dip in the hotel pool, walk down to the waterfront and through downtown Plymouth, or just relax.

DAY

Marine Biological Lab Study Cruise, Coastal Exploration

Plymouth, MA

B,L,D

Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 60 miles total; about 1.5 hours roundtrip. Getting on/off vessel via a small ladder; ride is approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; standing approximately 1.5 hours; terrain includes sand, rocks, and seaweed beds, some slippery surfaces. Sneakers or sturdy water shoes required. Date and timing of activities may be adjusted due to changing tides.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After arriving at the dock via motorcoach, we’ll take an ocean study cruise on Vineyard Sound and actively engage in studying oceanography through first-hand observations of natural marine phenomena and data collection. Aboard the fishing vessel Gemma with the Marine Biological Laboratory and our marine expert, we’ll discover the wonders of ocean science. As “guest” scientists, we will take plankton and bottom samples to see what might be found in our area—a great way to learn more about Cape Cod's ecological systems!

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Transferring via motorcoach, we’ll join a local expert as we experience life along the coast by observing and learning about the creatures that inhabit these shores on a nearby beach. On a walk by the water’s edge, we’ll take a closer look at the tide pools to learn about regional marine life and their environments. Bring your bathing suit if you'd like! Before heading back to Plymouth, we will explore the Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center and participate in a scavenger hunt led by visitor center staff and our Group Leader who will deepen our knowledge about Cape Cod.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

Whale Watching Expedition, Free Time

Plymouth, MA

B,L

Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor

Activity note: Getting on/off boat via ramp; depending on tides, the ramp may be at an incline or decline; boat ride is approximately 3 hours. Level of activity during free time dependent on personal interest.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: As a special highlight, we’ll go on a whale watching expedition out of Plymouth Harbor. Throughout our adventure, expert naturalists will provide an intriguing look into the “wonderful world of whales” while also including commentary on local ecology and the area’s unique history.

Lunch: Boxed lunches aboard the whale watching ship.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At the hotel, we’ll have an evening of fun games with our Group Leader.

DAY

Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Greenbriar Nature Center

Plymouth, MA

B,L,D

Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 40 miles total; about 1 hour roundtrip. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; cobblestone streets, grass.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After boarding our motorcoach, we will head to Hyannis, a charming and characteristic Cape Cod village. We’ll spend the morning at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum on the waterfront, learning about the Cape’s maritime history and culture, ships past and present, and participating in an expert-led hands-on activity.

Lunch: Boxed sandwich lunch at the Nature Center.

Afternoon: Our next field trip will be to the town of Sandwich, the oldest on the Cape, where we’ll visit the Greenbriar Nature Center. In this “quiet corner of peace and beauty,” we’ll walk through the grounds with a freshwater pond, and then participate in a hands-on activity led by an expert naturalist to learn about the creatures that inhabit local waters and analyze them under microscopes. We’ll then return to the hotel.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at local restaurant. Share some of your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departures after our final session in the morning.

DAY

Plimoth Grist Mill, Program Concludes

Plymouth, MA

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles on sidewalks. Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: We’ll walk to the Plimoth Grist Mill with our Group Leader. After more than a decade of laboriously grinding corn by hand in wooden mortars, the Plimoth colony authorized construction of a water-powered corn grinding (grist) mill on Town Brook in 1636. The official website for Plimoth Plantation tells us: “The mill we see today is a reproduction the 1636 original. Many of the parts — the stones, spindle, and stone furniture — are from the early 1800s and were salvaged from another mill.” During our visit, we’ll explore the mill and learn how important the process of grinding corn was in the 1600s. We’ll also learn about the ecology of the Town Brook area, including the annual herring run. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Discovering Historic Plymouth & Cape Cod With Your Grandchild

Discovering Historic Plymouth & Cape Cod With Your Grandchild

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