California

The Beauty of Yosemite and the Joy of Watercolor

Program No. 2317RJ
Find your inspiration in the idyllic setting of Yosemite, where you’ll learn about watercolor techniques, practice plein air painting and enjoy daily lessons from expert instructors.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Join us in exploring new ways to be creative. Our delightful instructor teaches you how to render outdoor elements with ease, sharing secrets of color systems, brush-stroke techniques and water use. View nature from an artist's perspective during field trips to Yosemite National Park. Experience painting "in the wild," learning to paint mountains, trees and waterfalls in the field.
Activity Level
Easy Going
Walking up to one mile over varied terrain on field trips. Distances between lodging, dining hall and classrooms can exceed 1,000 feet to and from. Elevations of 3,100-6,000 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Embark on a bus excursion to some of the Yosemite Valley’s most beautiful sites, including Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall and Sentinel Bridge.
  • Delight in an opportunity to paint “en plein air” in the heart of Yosemite.
  • Paint daily and improve your watercolor technique with the help of an art instructor who offers tips on composition, color and more.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, and a live performance or event. Basic art supplies are furnished. Participants may bring their own supplies to supplement if they wish.
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.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
15 meals
5 B 5 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Oakhurst
D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Lodge check-in from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in Lyles Dining Hall 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. Please call if you expect to arrive after 6:00 p.m. Following registration, we’ll gather for a get-acquainted social hour with appetizers and beverages.

Dinner: At Lyles Dining Hall.

Evening: 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 Retreats program. Programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. Our program is staffed with an expert who will serve as our Study Leader and instructor. Classes at ECCO (Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst) will be held in Lower Lyles West or the chapel, a short walk from Lyles. Transportation for off-site field trips will be by shuttle bus. Field trips to and from Yosemite are about 45 miles each way on country roads. 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. Next, we’ll watch a short, award-winning video from the National Park Service about Yosemite National Park. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
First Water Coloring Class
Oakhurst
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Minimal walking around campus.

Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Morning: After breakfast, we will enjoy our first water coloring class with our instructor, getting acquainted with our equipment and subjects.

Lunch: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Afternoon: Our class continues, as we paint to our heart's content under the guidance of our expert instructor.

Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Evening: We will be joined by a local expert for a presentation on fascinating aspects of the area such as natural history, human and cultural history, musical or other artistic guests, and the like.

DAY
3
Yosemite National Park, Lesson in the Park
Oakhurst
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 45 miles each way, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 1-2 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Yosemite Valley, paved and unpaved.

Breakfast: In the dining hall. Each full day after breakfast, we will pack our own lunches from a variety of choices. Bring your own personal, reusable water bottle.

Morning: After packing lunch, we will board the shuttle for Yosemite Valley (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min), departing by 8:00 a.m. We will first stop Tunnel View, with that famous first glimpse of Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, and Cathedral Rocks. As we view the woodlands through the conifer forest, we’ll drop down into the glacially-carved valley of Yosemite to visit Sentinel Bridge and Yosemite Valley Lodge.

Lunch: In Yosemite Valley, we’ll have the sack lunches we packed this morning.

Afternoon: We will enjoy a painting lesson in the park with the help of our instructor. The shuttle departs for ECCO by 3:00 p.m (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min).

Dinner: Dining hall buffet.

Evening: We will enjoy our evening presentation from a local expert.

DAY
4
Yosemite National Park, Free Time
Oakhurst
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 45 miles each way, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking distance is dependent upon activities chosen for free day.

Breakfast: Dining hall buffet.

Morning: After packing lunch, we will board the shuttle for Yosemite Valley (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min), departing by 8:00 a.m. Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. For those who wish, bring your painting supplies and enjoy the opportunity to capture Yosemite's beauty in watercolors.

Lunch: In Yosemite Valley, we’ll have the sack lunches we packed this morning.

Afternoon: More free time in the park. Feel free to keep painting or visit Yosemite Valley. The shuttle will depart for ECCO (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min) by 3:00 p.m.

Dinner: Dining hall buffet.

Evening: We will enjoy our evening presentation from a local expert.

DAY
5
More Painting in Yosemite
Oakhurst
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 45 miles each way, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 1-2 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Yosemite Valley, paved and unpaved.

Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.

Morning: After packing lunch, we will board the shuttle for our third day of exploration in Yosemite(38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min), with departure at 8:00 a.m. We’ll enjoy the varying landscapes and historic structures as subjects for our painting.

Lunch: In Yosemite Valley, we’ll have the sack lunches we packed this morning

Afternoon: We will resume our exploration of Yosemite. Our shuttle will depart no later than 3:00 p.m (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min).

Dinner: In the dining hall. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Oakhurst
B,L

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

Breakfast: In the dining hall.

Morning: We will enjoy our last class of the week.

Lunch: Dining hall buffet. This concludes our program.

Afternoon: 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!






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