Local Seniors Report on the Joys of Traveling with Grandchildren

Although Road Scholar's Grandparent Programs haven't climbed back up to pre-pandemic numbers, they are up 13% over last summer, reports the not-for-profit organization that provides educational travel programs primarily geared toward older adults. 

Jodi and Jack Petrinovich of Lakewood have been on several Road Scholar trips, but none more meaningful than the trip they recently took with their grandsons, Jackson (13) and Carter (11). This summer, the foursome went on the "Outdoor Discovery" trip to Vancouver Island. The program is designed to teach and engage kids on active adventures like rock climbing, maneuvering on cable rope courses, "kayak soccer," how to navigate with a compass, swimming and an overnight camping and canoe trip.

The weeklong adventure included an overnight canoe and camping trip 

"It was wonderful," reported Jodi. "We've always taken them on outdoors adventures like camping, but we wanted to take it to the next level, to spend more time with them." And although the couple already spends a lot of time with their grandchildren, it is different when the time is away from distractions like video games and television. "The trip organizers took care of everything so the family just gets to have fun and spend time together. That doesn't happen very often without their parents," comments Jodi. "We learned a lot about them and they learned something new about us," she adds.

For Jodi, in particular, who is usually the one preparing meals or hosting family get-togethers while her husband gets to be the "fun" one, the trip put her in a different light with her grandsons. "I don't think they've seen me play like this before," she exclaims. "We participated in the activities. There was lots of laughter and they saw a different side of me."

Jodi and Jack with their grandson, Carter. "We participated in the activities," says Jodi, "There was lots of laughter, and they saw a different side of me."

 

This particular trip was quite active, and although Jodi and Jack joined in with the activities, many of the other grandparents just watched and still had a wonderful time. Jodi mentions that the trip provided a great way to meet other grandparents. 

The boys would love to go back to the same place. The Petrinovichs haven't decided yet on their next trip, but they are sure to take more trips with the grandkids. 

One activity had the family throwing a ball back and forth, where the one tossing the ball would say something nice or an affirmation of something they had observed that day. The experience touched Jodi so much, "It is something that I will never forget."

She adds, "A trip like this creates a deeper bond and an experience our grandsons will remember for the rest of their lives."

Howie and Jenifer Silver from Mill Creek have been on 41 travel programs through Road Scholar, including several Grandparent Programs with multiple grandkids. 

Howie and Jenifer Silver from Mill Creek have taken all nine of their grandchildren on Grandparent Program trips through Road Scholar

 

“My wife Jenifer and I have been on many Road Scholar (and formerly Elderhostel) trips, but among the most special and memorable have been the ones with our grandchildren," says Howie. "Starting in 2004 through the present (and into the next few years), we have taken all our nine grandchildren on Grandparent Programs to Denali, Yellowstone, Colorado, San Diego, Jackson Hole, the Channel Islands, New York City, Greece, and the Galápagos."

He reports that every trip was very different, but that all "allowed us to bond with each grandchild in a way that is not possible at local events like birthday parties or a day at a ballgame." The trips the Silvers took with their grandchildren were all about a week long, and involved airplane rides, meals, hotel rooms, planned activities, free-time activities, and evenings alone together. Howie says the time together and the unique experiences on each trip proved to be quite the bonding experience. 

"I asked one of my granddaughters what was her favorite part of the trip to New York. She said, 'Coney Island, spending time with my grandfather, and Coney Island.' At least I made the list!"

In summary, adds Howie, "All the intergenerational trips have been bonding experiences for me, my wife, and all the grandchildren.”

What trended for grandparents (or "skip-gen") travel in the summer of 2024? Italy, Costa Rica, and Iceland. Road Scholar added four new Grandparent Programs to their menu of 60 programs for 2025, including the Azores, Switzerland, D.C. and kayaking in Florida. For more information, visit the following link: Educational Travel & Learning Adventures | Road Scholar