ROAD SCHOLARS AND THEIR FAMILIES FLOCK TO AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS THIS SUMMER AS THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL

BOSTON, June 23, 2016 -- As the National Park Service turns 100 this summer, millions of Americans and thousands of Road Scholars are hitting the road to enjoy the splendor and beauty of hundreds of national parks located in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

National Parks have always been a popular destination for Road Scholar participants. From the largest – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Arkansas, to the smallest – Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial in Pennsylvania—there is a national park to satisfy the desires of anyone interested in experiencing nature up close and personal.

"As summer begins, heralding peak travel season across the country, we can all be grateful for the extraordinary treasure of America's national parks," said James Moses, President and CEO of Road Scholar. "While there is so much to learn about and see in small towns and big cities across the U.S., discovering America's national parks is an enriching adventure for everyone to experience the natural beauty, view the truly incredible landscapes, and learn about the geology and wildlife of North America."

Road Scholar's National Parks programs include:

Keys and Everglades: Human and Natural History Outdoor Studies
www.roadscholar.org/2801
This extraordinary adventure explores the Florida Keys, its protected islands, coral reefs and cultural heritage. This program offers small, personal experiences with groups of 10-24 participants.

Heart of the winter in Yellowstone
www.roadscholar.org/21771  
Witness snow-dusted Buffalo, boiling geysers and all the wonders of Yellowstone National Park cloaked in its winter glory.

Hawaii's National Parks: Exploring Four Islands from Volcanoes to Pearl Harbor
www.roadscholar.org/2810  
Join park rangers and historians on an exploration of Hawaii's mythology, unique island ecology, natural monuments and sacred sites.

The Best of Utah's Grand Circle of Parks and Monuments
www.roadscholar.org/2814 
Visit some of the most impressive geological formations in the world with experts. Sail Lake Powell and learn about Navajo culture. Dates available in 2017 only.

To learn more about all of the National Parks programs that Road Scholar offers, please visit 
https://www.roadscholar.org/collections/national-parks-travel-facts/

About Road Scholar

Road Scholar is the nation's largest educational travel organization for adults. The not-for-profit offers 5,500 extraordinary educational adventures in 150 countries and 50 states for individuals dedicated to lifelong learning. Road Scholars are immersed in a variety of experiential learning activities, enlisting world-renowned faculty and local experts who offer insider access not available to most individuals. Dedicated to making educational travel available to everyone, Road Scholar offers financial assistance for those who otherwise could not participate in its programs.

Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975. To learn more, please visit our new website at www.roadscholar.org/press.

CONTACT: Stacie Fasola (617) 457-5418
         Despina Gakopoulos (617) 457-5502
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