Aging Campers Turn Up Hearing Aids for Call of the Wild!

The call of the great outdoors has awakened a sense of adventure in a group of senior citizens who live at Pathway Senior Living supportive living communities in Chicago and the suburbs. They are foregoing the stereotypical senior accessories of yesterday—television remote controls, knitting needles and bingo markers—in exchange for a modern-day camping venture at the Sunrise Lake Campground in Bartlett, IL, August 16 to the 17.

“Being an elder today does not mean the same thing to everyone. Today’s aging adults are not necessarily content to spend their twilight years in rocking chairs and recliners,” said Colleen Koziara, Pathway’s Regional Life Enrichment Manager, an avid camper who planned the outing. “Our elders still desire to be active, engaged and adventurous! We provide them every opportunity to do so.”

Shouldering duffle bags packed with bug spray, sunscreen, fishing gear and guitars, these active seniors plan to make new memories while communing with nature and relive old memories while reminiscing around an evening campfire.

“I like being out in the woods,” said Victory Centre of River Oaks resident Ray Ferguson, age 68. “My wife and I used to camp with our kids along the Illinois River.” The Ferguson’s haven’t taken a trip together in years due to health complications and are looking forward to getting away to revisit the great outdoors.

Happy “Senior” Campers
About 40 campers ranging in age from 65 to 94 and Pathway staff are sleeping over at the campground, which typically serves children of all abilities. Despite the 60 or 70 year age gap between the school age campers and the senior campers, these “more mature” campers will be enjoying all of the same activities. They can swim in the lake, fish off a dock, row a canoe, hike in the woods, watch birds or make a camping craft.

“Camping is good for the mind, body and soul,” said Colleen Koziara. She optimistically refers to this trip as the “First Annual Pathway Camping Trip,” so sure of the trip’s success that a second, third and fourth trip will follow.

Even those campers with physical challenges can camp. Sunrise Lake Campground is handicapped accessible with features like paved trails and elongated picnic tables to accommodate wheelchairs, and Pathway support staff will be present for the entire event. Meals will be cooked outdoors on open fire pits and, of course, there will be an evening campfire with s’mores and storytelling. All campers will bunk indoors on cots with multiple people to a room.

The New Senior Lifestyle
While the appeal of camping is timeless, senior living has changed greatly over the years. Like the group of Pathway campers, many older folks today remain active and still enjoy adventuring. The overnight camp trip is a unique and fun way for seniors to experience the benefits of a change in routine, fresh air, exercise, socializing and creating new memories. All plusses at any age!

On day two, the campers can rise early to enjoy a sunrise over the lake, fishing, a fresh, hot breakfast and one last bit of fun before boarding the bus back to the retirement community. They’ll leave behind the bugs, humidity and lumpy cot mattresses, but take with them a renewed sense of adventure and memories to last a lifetime, yes, even at age 94!

About Pathway Senior Living

In partnership with various not-for-profit partners, Pathway creates and operates vibrant, healthy, residential communities and supportive programs for seniors located in Chicago, Bartlett, Calumet City, Country Club Hills, Elk Grove Village, Joliet, Melrose Park and Park Forest. For more information please call 847-768-5100 or visit www.PathwaySL.com.