For our first-ever newsletter, we thought we’d provide a wrap-up of the 2011 Summer Sessions. We had such a great time in Madison, San Diego, Eugene, and Santa Barbara, exploring, learning and seeing the sights – and visiting with some of our extraordinary Senior Summer School clients, YOU!
In Madison, our home-base and the one site we’ve been with since the beginning, we had a series of great sessions, beginning June 26th and running through mid-August. To kick off all of our summer programs, we tried a 6-night session for the first time, and we will be offering that option again next year. The summer theme in Madison was “Discovering Wisconsin” and touched on everything from Frank Lloyd Wright to the art of making cheese. Classes ran the spectrum from subjects featuring politics, world events, social media, health & wellness and rock & roll. Entertainment included Madison favorites like Concerts on the Square, The Wisconsin Dells Boat Tour, beautiful Olbrich Gardens, and Fireside Theater.
In San Diego, we gathered on the gorgeous campus of the University of San Diego, with its exceptional Pavilion Dining Hall, home to an array of unique, delicious food concepts that fuse distinct ingredients and flavors from around the globe. Another dining highlight was the La Gran Terraza Restaurant overlooking Tecolote Canyon and Mission Bay. We were joined in San Diego by program favorite Dr. Bruno Leone, who lectured on The Philosophy of History and also graced us with a piano concert. Classes ran a spectrum from the History and Science of the Brain to The Healing Power of Chocolate. (yum.) Trips and entertainment included a guided tour of San Diego, visits to historic Old Town and Balboa Park, a harbor cruise and the San Diego Symphony.
We experienced the lovely Eugene, OR for the first time this summer and we admit we were enchanted. We stayed at the Eugene Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, a great location with wonderful service, and journeyed all across the city and down to the coast (with its 20 degree temperature difference!). Highlights were the Eugene Farmers Market, the Lane County Fair, a trip to the city of Florence for a Dune Buggy ride and a view of the Sea Lion Caves. We’ll never forget the breath-taking scenery through the McKenzie River Valley on our way to the Sahalie Falls and the Belknap Hot Springs. Classwise, we delved into the History of Eugene, The Future of Media Politics, Alternative Medicine, and “What Does Green Mean?” A Real Study of Sustainability.
In radiant Santa Barbara, we stayed across the street from UC-Santa Barbara campus and had the pleasure of sharing housing facilities with the USA Rugby Team before they flew to Australia to play in the World Cup –a fun, unique experience! In Senior Summer School classes, we learned about the History of Santa Barbara, Religion in California, the Future of Oil and Natural Gas Technology, the Culture and History of Advertising, and Eating in the New Millennium. Sights and trips included an informative guided city tour, the lush Fairview Gardens (where we had the opportunity to eat fruits and veggies right from the ground…delicious!), a chartered sailing trip, an afternoon in downtown Santa Barbara (museums, shopping, and Stern’s Wharf) and a day visit to Solvang, the charming replica Danish town surrounded by wine country.
We are putting details in place for next summer, and we expect another banner year of fun, learning and adventure. Hope to see you there!
