Trinity Center

Elderhostel

"Youth might be wasted on the young, but education isn't . . . Elderhostel is booming." --The Los Angeles Times

The Elderhostel Program
During your Elderhostel Program, you'll study college-level courses designed especially for Elderhostel. They are challenging and thought provoking, but don't require any prior knowledge or formal training, and you won't have to worry about homework, exams or grades. Besides daily classes, programs often include course-related field trips. Most Elderhostels last 5 nights and start on Sundays. You'll stay in comfortable, modest facilities, and eat in the Trinity Center dining hall. You'll share your experiences with 20 to 50 classmates from a variety of backgrounds. Like you, they are not only interesting, but interested in learning new things and sharing ideas.

Elderhostel at Trinity Center
Trinity Center is nestled in a pristine maritime forest on the Outer Banks. The property extends from Bogue Sound to the Atlantic Ocean. A mild climate and our award winning landscaping is designed with sensitivity to the island environment, and provides a restful surrounding. This modern, handicapped-accessible facility features comfortable meeting rooms, double occupancy bedrooms with private bath, and a private beach. It has a gracious dining area with delicious home-cooked meals served family style. Trinity Center is owned and operated by the Episcopal Church.

Who Can Participate
Elderhostel is open to people age 55 and over. Spouses of any age, and travel companions age 50+, are also welcome. Please come alone or with a companion. Elderhostel is a great way to exchange ideas, and make new friends with active, interesting people. If you want to continue your education and have an adventuresome spirit, Elderhostel is right for you!

Cost
At Trinity Center, the average tuition is $335 for a one-week program. This fee covers lodging, meals, classes and any course-related field trips or activities. Scholarships ("hostelships") are available to those who need financial assistance. Information about these is in the Elderhostel catalog.

Elderhostel Curriculum Text
Many of our programs focus on local history (1600-1900's) and biodiversity within a barrier island ecosystem. Biology, Native American survival techniques, fishing techniques, hurricane studies, and water quality are just a few topics we cover during the long week sessions. Each has three course topics, which include hands-on exploration, on and off site field trips, and lectures.

What to Bring

Appropriate apparel: The daytime average temperatures will range in the 65-85 degree mark with humidity levels reaching 60 percent or more. Be prepared for anything though, it can get much cooler or warmer depending on the season. Rain gear is always highly suggested. We have no need to dress up for any occasion, so leave your formal wear at home.
Wet shoes: Sneakers, tevas, aqua-sock, any close-toed shoes that are comfortable are great when exploring the beach and sound environments.
Good walking shoes: A lot of the classes offered at Trinity include walking tours and exploration, so good support on your feet is recommended.
Sunscreen, lip balm, and a hat: These things serve as great protection from the hot sun.
Insect repellent
Camera and binoculars (Great for bird watching)
Beach towels and chairs (And a good book)

Trinity Center's elderhostel programs include:

Survival on the Coast
What do coastal Native Americans, pirates, colonists, whalers, and commercial fishermen have in common? The ability to live and thrive in a sometimes harsh coastal environment. Find out how their lifestyles and livelihoods made survival in this beach environment possible. The study includes wild edibles, medicinal plants, fishing techniques, and much more!

Water, Water Everywhere
Explore the waters of Trinity Center's pond, sound and ocean. The study includes water quality, filtration, and fish-farming with on-site field trips and hands-on discovery. Trinity Center's Sound to Sea Program is now working in conjunction with GLOBE (Global learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) and the National Estuarine Research Reserve's Estuary Net. Participants will look at the need for good water quality and how the quality of the water (including salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, nitrates, pH and turbidity) affects the beings that live in it.

With our help in connecting the impact of upland activities to the quality of water in estuarine systems, participants will better understand their own role in protecting the watershed. Hopefully, the data gathering efforts of our program along with the Estuary-Net system could help provide a baseline that will be useful in determining how upland activities could affect occurrences of Pfiesteria.

From the Sound to the Sea
Find out firsthand about barrier island botany and biology by actively exploring the sound, salt marsh, maritime forest, pond and beach. Participants will learn geological history and basic ecological concepts. The biological history of the island will be applied to modern day through current event issues such as loss of biodiversity, population growth, climate change, water quality and waste disposal.

Participants will focus on the concept of the sound and salt marsh as the nursery of the ocean, and learn about the adaptations of fish, crabs and various plants that live in the salt marsh. The beach class focuses on barrier island formation and movement, and emphasizes that beach erosion is a natural part of that process. At the pond, participants explore the concept that clean, fresh water is a rarity. They will also look at the myriad adaptations of water insects and fish. In the maritime forest, participants will learn about the anatomy and adaptations of maritime forest trees, plants that act as medicines, and perhaps have the chance to eat at the Outdoor Café.

These studies involve group work and on-site field studies. Prepare to get wet at the sound and beach, because everyone has the opportunity for a hands-on investigation of the plants and animals. Classes include walks on the beach and primitive nature trails that may be difficult for guests with limited mobility. Golf cart services are available for transportation to study sites.

The Shaping of North Carolina's Maritime Heritage
Programs on lighthouses, lifesaving stations, traditional watercraft, fisheries and whaling introduce a proud maritime heritage of the coastal people. Participants may learn the history, architecture and current uses of North Carolina's lighthouses and life saving stations. Perhaps they will learn about the biology of whales, the thrill of the hunt, human uses of them, and the art of scrimshaw. Maybe, everyone will attempt to create and use primitive fishing and hunting tools. Explore how archeologists dig near freshwater to learn about their ancestors, and work on a model dig.

Field trips include a visit to the Maritime Museum in Beaufort, North Carolina. There, participants may learn about the pirates of North Carolina, especially Blackbeard. The staff at the museum gives participants time to explore the facilities on their own. Don't miss their extensive shell collection and watercraft center, a working boat and model shop. The museum is a walking tour, but is handicapped-accessible. Transportation to and from the facility is provided by the Museum.

Folklore and History of Carteret County: Gentle on My Mind
This program allows participants to learn through laughter! They will learn Carteret County culture with stories and poems of humor, inspiration, and intrigue. The study focuses on local communities and their language patterns. Classes concentrate on the lost colony, "down-east" culture and Salter Path, North Carolina. All classes are held on site and encourage you to just relax and enjoy.

Birds of the Outer Banks
Participants will learn the finer points of bird identification and bird watching. Classes include bird biology, flight dynamics, and small-group ornithological studies. The program showcases our live birds of prey and their importance to the beach ecosystem.

The classes include small group bird walks, led by an instructor, on site. The walks may be difficult for persons with limited mobility. Golf carts will be available for those walks.

Sea Turtles, Alligators and More
Participants will discover how sea turtles, alligators, fish, and shellfish adapt to their aquatic environments. The program includes a field trip to the North Carolina Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. Transportation to the aquarium is provided. There everyone will have a behind-the-scenes tour featuring live animals, aquarium operations, and exhibit production. There is also a hands-on marine invertebrate lab, which focuses on various animals from the area. Time is given for personal exploration of the exhibits. Much of the aquarium visit is a walking tour, but the facilities are handicap accessible.

Hurricanes! The Battle between the Land and the Sea
Participants will delve into nature's fury as we look historically at tropical storms, nor'easters, and hurricanes. How do these severe weather systems alter life for those who live in this ever-changing environment? The battle between land and sea rages on!

Elderhostel Schedules for 1999 and 2000 Calendar Years
These are the dates and classes for the 1999 Elderhostel Calendar Year. If you want more information on a particular class, please click on the class name for more information.

August 29-September 3

September 5-10

October 3-8

October 24-29

November 14-19

November 28-December 3

Elderhostel 2000
These are the dates for Trinity Center's Elderhostel 2000 Calendar Year. We have not yet chosen the curriculum for these classes. It will be announced soon.

January 16-21, 2000
February 20-25, 2000
March 5-10, 2000
April 16-21, 2000
June 4-9, 2000
September 3-8, 2000
October 22-27, 2000
November 26 - December 1, 2000
December 10-15, 2000 Senior Reunion

Elderhostel Reservations
For information about becoming part of the Elderhostel program, or to register for an Elderhostel Course, please contact Boston, our headquarters.
Write to:
Elderhostel
75 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110-1941

or call them at (617) 426-8056 for information. The main office will be able to assist you with information on registration, campus services, housing, and other pertinent needs you might request about a site as well.

To get more information on the classes offered at Trinity Center, please feel free to call us at 252-247-5600. We would be more than happy to discuss any aspect of our program with you.