Looking for something fun to do this summer than look no further than the Wit, Wisdom & Wanderlust Program at the Champlain Senior Center. Think you are too young; think again this “is not your grandmother’s senior center” according to Kathy Maieli, the Executive Director. Wit, Wisdom & Wanderlust is designed with the baby boomer in mind. Try wine tasting and touring local vineyards, learn about nature photography, take a woodland walk, spend some time in the cyber café learning the latest software programs or stay strong with Tufts Strong Living and T’ai Chi.

Looking through the schedule of programs and tours offered the hardest decision may be what to take, each page offers something new and exciting. According to Maieli when this program was set up they asked “what are the gaps and how do we fill them.” Christie Dow, the Senior Program Dir., knows that “baby boomers are changing the face of aging, they are more computer savvy, healthy and senior centers are recognizing that.”

According to Suzanne Lemire, Program Facilitator, many people in their 50’s and 60’s think they are too young to be connected to a senior center. But according to Lemire the Wit, Wisdom & Wanderlust program is tailored to them. As she says, “Are you ready for this, it is designed just for you." Get your bicycle tuned up and ready to hit the road with Jeremy Munson of the Old Spokes Home talking about bike maintenance, or perhaps attend dinner at Café Wanderlust before a leisurely stroll visiting art galleries in downtown Burlington with your guide from the Firehouse Gallery.

There is something for everyone at Wit, Wisdom & Wanderlust. Not only is the program fun but according to Lemire it goes “far beyond just the classes themselves, it is great at maintaining health and meeting people.” Want a challenge then try the Adventure Ropes Course consisting of elements constructed of cables, ropes and wood attached to trees. This team building experience will find the survivor in all of you. Or perhaps you have arthritis then try the Range of Motion class, which has been effective in easing pain, increasing flexibility and improving quality of life. Or perhaps in this stressful world learning how to just laugh is the way to go. Join the laughing club, laughter is the best medicine and a great way to relieve stress.

Perhaps you are interested in a more competitive program like the competitive scrabble, the cribbage group or the bridge group. Enjoy the Soup and Salad Bar and stay for some good conversation and good competitive fun. Or take on the wide world web at the cyber café. There you can learn the basics of computers or more advanced applications including researching your family tree or learn what the ipod craze is all about. Plan a vacation, learn about investing or how to de-stress with a number of educational and entertaining classes offered at the cyber café.

Feeling the need to hit the road then check out the tours from cruises and ballet to the Cirque du Soleil. Tickets are selling fast to the June 2 performance of the Cirque du Soleil in Montreal. For $195 you get round trip transportation on Premier Motorcoach, a gourmet three- course French dinner and tickets to the Cirque.

Check out the Wit, Wisdom & Wanderlust schedule for some summer fun and a chance to meet new people. As Lemire says “this is cool, seniors are changing, look at what we have now.”

Wit, Wisdom & Wanderlust
658-5534
witwisdomwanderlust.org

Scholarships Available

Sarah Lemnah writes on senior issues for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging. This article originally appeared in the Burlington Free Press.