Magical Yosemite With Your Grandchild: Trains, Gold & Robots

Activity note: Check-in available from 4:00 p.m. You are welcome to arrive early if you wish, but you may not be able to check in until the indicated time. Walking about 1 mile around the camp; some uneven terrain and inclines as it is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:30 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the main meeting room to register with the program staff, get any 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. After check-in, take time to relax before our social hour to get acquainted, which will be followed by Orientation. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. 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. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren during the program. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Children are never to be left unsupervised. Periods in the daily 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. After going through logistical information, we’ll set out on foot with our Group Leader to explore the camp, see the recreation fields, hiking trails, game room, and much more. We’ll then head into a classroom where we'll play a short game that will help us get to know each other. It's going to be a great week!

Dinner: In Lyles Hall at the camp.

Evening: Afterwards, we’ll gather for an introductory video on Yosemite with a group discussion. Then continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, gardening, yoga, etc.). Walking about 3 miles, approximately 2 hours; elevation gain of roughly 400 feet. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 35 miles each way on country roads, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a train; riding about 4 miles, approximately 1 hour.

Breakfast: In Lyles Hall. While we’re here, take some time to make and pack your own sack lunch from an assortment of choices so we can take it with us. We will be doing this each full day of the program.

Morning: Setting out from our accommodation, we’ll board our bus and take a short drive up to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad (8.3 miles, 15 minutes) where we will learn from a railroad employee who will teach us how to pan for gold while also telling us about the California Gold Rush. Also while here, we’ll hop on a steam engine train for a ride with our railroad expert as we learn about the area’s fascinating logging history. The current heritage railroad follows narrow gauge track that the former Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company (1874-1931) used in the early 1900s.

Lunch: At the Railroad, we’ll have our sack lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll then board our bus and transfer to Yosemite National Park (35 miles, 1 hr. 15 min.) where our Study Leader will lead a hike. All the while aboard the bus and on the trail, our Study Leader will offer commentary on the surrounding area and its history. Bring your camera! We’ll then return to the camp via bus. (43 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.)

Dinner: In Lyles Hall.

Evening: Each evening at the camp, we’ll gather for a group activity. Whether a performance by local musicians or artists, a live animal or historical presentation, or lectures on the human and cultural history of the area, our presenters are all experts in their field and they love to share their knowledge of Yosemite with others. Lucky us!

Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, gardening, yoga, etc.). Walking about 2.5 miles on the trail; uneven, unpaved terrain. Be sure to bring swimwear and a towel for the afternoon activity at the pool. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 42 miles total for the day with stops throughout for field trips, approximately 1/2 hour riding time aboard vehicle for each drive.

Breakfast: In Lyles Hall. Be sure to prepare your sack lunch to take along on our field trips.

Morning: After transferring via bus, we’ll set out on foot with our instructor to explore the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (15 miles, 30 min.) with commentary as we go. Get ready to walk among some of the oldest and largest species on earth!

Lunch: In the forest among the enormous Sequoias, we’ll have our sack lunches.

Afternoon: Then, we’ll jump back on the bus and head over to the Baker Swim Complex (20 miles, 25 min.) where we will use their facilities to learn about robotics from our instructor before getting to experiment with how to make and maneuver underwater robots! Before we go, take some time to enjoy a swim in the experiment “tank” – a swimming pool.

Dinner: In Lyles Hall.

Evening: We’ll gather for a fun group activity at the camp!

Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, gardening, yoga, etc.). Walking about 3-4 miles throughout the day; mostly flat, paved or graveled paths. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 35 miles each way on country roads, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Be sure to bring swimwear and a towel for the afternoon activity at the pool.

Breakfast: In Lyles Hall.

Morning: We’ll return via bus to Yosemite, where we’ll explore Yosemite Valley with our Study Leader (39 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.), beginning with a stop at Tunnel View, a picturesque vista right off the road that serves as the first view of Yosemite Valley through the south entrance. Continuing via bus, we’ll take a short ride to Bridalveil Fall where we’ll set out on a short hike with our Study Leader. Carrying on, we’ll also see other historical sites in the Valley en route, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, the Merced River, and more.

Lunch: In the amphitheater area of Yosemite Lodge, we’ll have sack lunches.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll take some time to cool off, relax, and have some summer fun at the swimming pool at Yosemite Valley Lodge. We’ll return to the camp in the mid-afternoon (39 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.).

Dinner: In Lyles Hall.

Evening: We’ll gather for a campfire and sing-a-long with s'mores to wrap our week together. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, gardening, yoga, etc.). Check-out by 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast: In Lyles Hall.

Morning: We’ll gather for one more group session to share a photo slideshow of our adventures together and say farewell to our new Road Scholar friends. This concludes our program. 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 another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!