The opportunities that Elderhostel provides can be divided into the two general categories of travel and service, but always with the focus of learning.  Carole Davenport coordinates the program and considers the program to be, “One of the biggest blessings I have ever had.”

Navarro College provides an opportunity for those who desire to learn and to serve. Come June, the college welcomes Elderhostel vacationers, single and married, who choose to volunteer their valuable time to help the Pearce Collections at the Cook Center. There are two five-day sessions scheduled in the month of June and other arrangements can be made for those who want to volunteer their time.

This year 29 Elderhostel patrons arrived in two sessions. The first five-day session began the first week of June and the second began the 15 of June. Of the 29 participants, only ten were new to the program and the remaining 19 were veterans who chose to repeat their service. 

The volunteers come from far-flung areas of the United States to sift through handwritten and often faded Civil War documents or to lend valuable assistance in varieties of ways to the museum and its administration. The volunteers come from all different walks of life, and the tasks are matched to the participant's personal skills and what they prefer. Some common traits among the group are enthusiastic and adventurous spirits, attention to detail and a fondness for history.

During the course of the visit, the volunteers stay in the college dormitories and dine in the cafeteria. Living and working together develops bonds between the volunteers and the staff. There are field trips scheduled around the area and a cook out with Texas-sized burgers.

The Civil War Museum is constantly searching for acquisitions and have amassed huge amounts of documents to be catalogued, entered into computers and edited. “The efforts of the volunteers make big dents in the amount of work to be done” according to Rosalie Meier of the Pearce Collections.

The volunteers are attracted to the Pearce Collections for many reasons, but everyone agrees that there is a real sense of awe to behold history in a personal way. “It is incredible to think that I’m holding the same document in my hand that was held by this soldier more than 140 years ago,” commented Mr. Jim Hoy, former school principal from Virginia.

“ As I read these stories of fighting, it kind of reminds me of my time in the service,” says Bataan Death March survivor Jim Bollich.

Everyone agrees there is much to do and they feel their time is being spent in a worthwhile and fulfilling endeavor.

A big thank you to this year’s participants:

Carlos Avila, Santa Clara CA

Celia & Jim Bollich, Lafayette, LA

Virginia Cockrell, Dallas, TX

Alice Corley, Sacramento, CA

Suzette Cowles, Arvada, CO

Jo Culberson, Grand Junction, CO

Dan De Criscio, Hope Mills, NC

Barbara Fegan, MD

Sandi Gerhan, Avon Lake, OH

Anne Hammond, Doraville, GA

Joyce Horsefield, Fountain Valley CA

Lynne and Jim Hoy, Leesburg, VA

Nancy & Richard Hubiak, Baton Rouge, LA

Sandy Lawhun, Charlotte, NC

Gerry Mellon, Hazel, KY

Ree Nurnberger, Austin TX

Rita Onorato, Rockville Center, NY

Sue Plaumann, Shoreacres, TX

Karla Romero, Hoquiam, WA

Tom Rook, Chicago, IL

Miji Ryan, Everett, WA

Kathleen Smith, Georgetown, TX

Philip Warman, Palo Alto, CA

Kathy & Jeff Wolf, Oregon, WI

The Navarro College/Elderhostel program is limited currently by space: Dormitory space and workspace.  The reservations for the program begin in January and fill up fast because it is a popular program. Some participants have waited years to serve as a volunteer at Pearce Collection, Cook Center.

If you want to check out the popular and ever growing Elderhostel program and survey the thousands of opportunities worldwide, it may be reached at www.elderhostel.org or www.elderhostel.com.

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