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California

Magical Yosemite With Your Grandchild: Trains, Gold & Robots

Program No. 2034960MEADV-1116-60
Create lasting memories on a uniquely Californian adventure with your grandchild as you ride a steam engine, pan for gold, construct robots and learn the story of Yosemite.

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At a Glance

The best stories are the ones told around a camp fire – roast a marshmallow beside your grandchild and hear stories of Yosemite National Park and the pioneers who first explored this great wilderness. On this epic adventure, you’ll use your imagination to become a park ranger, prospector, train conductor and engineer as you pan for gold, ride a steam engine and build an underwater robot. Plus, hike through the magnificent domes, granite cliffs, meadows and Sequoia groves of Yosemite as you get to know this beautiful national park.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
I like to spend much of the day exploring. Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full. Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group.
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.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Board a steam engine train for a ride through the sugar pine forest to learn about the gold rush and the area’s logging history.
  • Explore Yosemite from the spectacular cascading waters of Bridalveil Fall to the giant sequoia trees — the oldest and largest species on earth!
  • Head to the Baker Swim Complex to learn to create and manipulate a real underwater robot, and spend some swim time in the pool yourself!

General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 8-12.
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.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
5 days
Program Begins
Oakhurst
Program Concludes
Oakhurst
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
11 | 4B | 3L | 4D |
Activity Level
The best stories are the ones told around a camp fire – roast a marshmallow beside your grandchild and hear stories of Yosemite National Park and the pioneers who first explored this great wilderness. On this epic adventure, you’ll use your imagination to become a park ranger, prospector, train conductor and engineer as you pan for gold, ride a steam engine and build an underwater robot. Plus, hike through the magnificent domes, granite cliffs, meadows and Sequoia groves of Yosemite as you get to know this beautiful national park.)
Best of all, you'll...
  • Board a steam engine train for a ride through the sugar pine forest to learn about the gold rush and the area’s logging history.
  • Explore Yosemite from the spectacular cascading waters of Bridalveil Fall to the giant sequoia trees — the oldest and largest species on earth!
  • Head to the Baker Swim Complex to learn to create and manipulate a real underwater robot, and spend some swim time in the pool yourself!
General Notes
Program is for grandchildren ages 8-12.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
I like to spend much of the day exploring. Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full. Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (12 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
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.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
11 meals | 4B | 3L | 4D |
3 expert-led lectures
5 expert-led field trips
2 hands-on experiences
3 performances
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Expand All
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!
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MEALS
11 Meals
4 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
4 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Low Fat, Vegetarian, Low Salt, Gluten Free
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 11, 2024
  • Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 11, 2024
4 nights
Location: Oakhurst
ECCO is a year-round conference center, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, just 15 miles south of the entrance into Yosemite National Park. ECCO has a variety of sleeping accommodations, including both hotel and dormitory style lodging. ECCO has 34 lodge rooms spread out amongst two lodges; our standard private/double rooms include one full and one twin bed and our quad rooms include 4 twin beds, all rooms have private baths. Our facility is situated on 162 forested acres offering hiking trails, fishing and other recreation.
Participant Reviews
4.78
Based on 10 Reviews
Sort By:
Katherine – Class of 2015 | Vancouver, WA
My grandson and I had a wonderful time on this activity-packed adventure to Yosemite National Park. The leaders were wonderful. The views from Glacier Peak and Sentinel Dome were spectacular, hikes were interesting, water was plentiful if our water bottles were empty (it was hot weather) and we enjoyed all the meals. Both of us loved panning for gold, the underwater robotics, seeing the huge sequoias and learning about rock climbers who scaled El Capitan. My grandson loved playing with the other kids in the pool or recreation areas as well as on the final night slipnslide. Sadie and Doug were skilled in their interactions with all the kids when explaining robotics, explaining about sequoias in the Mariposa Grove and informing about all the other activities they were involved with. My grandson did not want to leave! Five stars!
— Review left July 15, 2024
This participant did not give a star rating.
Frederick – Class of 2022 | Hopkins, MN
The program was just right - perfect mix of education, activity and fun. Yosemite is beautiful and ECOC was a great venue. The food was kid and adult friendly. Sadie did a fabulous job of leading the group and making sure the children jelled from the first meeting. Doug provided a good mix of naturalist information and local lore. I’d recommend it for any grandparent and grandchild.
— Review left June 22, 2024
Teri – Class of 2018 | Mill Creek, WA
I loved this trip but be prepared to keep up the pace. It is well worth your time!
— Review left June 30, 2023
Sandra – Class of 2018 | Burlington, KY
If you are looking for a great adventure learning about nature and wildlife in the beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite National Park, this is the trip for you.
— Review left July 25, 2022
Donna – Class of 2011 | Buffalo, NY
This is a well-planned, interesting program for grandparents and grandchildren from ages 8-12 which included lots of unique learning experiences and the opportunity to connect with both adults and children from all regions of the USA.
— Review left July 20, 2022
Kristine – Class of 2008 | Mesa, AZ
This was a great program with instructors who were knowledgeable, qualified and experienced. The conference center provided an outdoor space that allowed the kids to experience the outdoors in a safe setting.
— Review left July 18, 2022
Randi – Class of 2005 | Grass Valley, CA
My granddaughter had NOT been to Yosemite before so it was very special to introduce her to this magnificent Park. It was a learning experience as well as a fun time.
— Review left July 4, 2022
Karen – Class of 2021 | Lewes, DE
It was a great program. The kids enjoyed the many different trips and activities.
— Review left July 29, 2021
Laurel – Class of 2011 | Ventura, CA
An unforgettable experience! The children and Grandparents were busy most of the time. Hiking, panning for gold, "big trees", swiming, evening talks, painting, large birds brought in, gold and miner talks. Yosemite. Fun packing our own lunches to have during the day. One night box dinner, fire pit w smores. accommodations very nice, clean, good food. The instructor Steven Riley -amazing! Group leader/program Coordinator-right there not only handling our needs at ECCO but also working closely with Steve. Her grasp of dealing with grandparents and children was commendable. The children followed her guidance, enjoying her cheery nature. Difficult task! Sadie Beling, group leader. A joy. Smart, intuitive. Very persuasive. The children followed along, took directions without knowing they were guided. I'd take my other grandson to this next year. So worth it.
— Review left June 25, 2019
Marcia | Anacortes, WA
Very active program with educational hikes, hands on learning experiences plus fun interactive activities for both grandparents and grandchildren. Very knowledgeable leaders/instructor that made learning fun for all. The kids loved the opportunity to demonstrate their learning and cooperation by earning "chance" tickets for rewards.
— Review left June 21, 2019





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