2023 Summer Seminar and Trip Series

Summer Outings 2023, for knowledge and pleasure.

The Summer Seminar Committee of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at RIT is excited to announce its 2023 program consisting of four trips and their accompanying lectures.


We will NOT be sending paper trip packets and registration forms to members' homes. Registration and payment will be completed in the same manner as purchasing a membership and registering for courses - either using your Osher online account or in person/on phone with an Osher staff member.

Registration has closed.
Select “Special Events & Trips 2023” for the “Term” 

To join your fellow Osher members in the Summer Seminar Series

  1. Read the general information below about the lectures and trips.
  2. Click the trip Quick Links to see the details for each seminar .
  3. Choose those you'd like to participate in—one, two, three, or all four.
  4. There will be an orange "Register for this Trip" button on each trip webpage. Register and submit payment for each trip selected. Registration opens Monday, April 3 at 10 am. Trips fill up quickly so register early to ensure yourself a spot!
  5. Open the registration confirmation email you receive for each trip, and click on the included link to fill out the required questionnaire specific to each trip.

Lecture Information (Hybrid Format)

Open and free for all members and their guests, even if you don’t go on the trips!

Each trip will be introduced at a lecture on the Tuesday of the week the trip takes place from 10 am - Noon. These lectures will be hybrid which means you can attend via Zoom OR in person at the Osher at RIT building, 50 Fairwood Drive (go to the Contact Us webpage for directions).

Guest lecturers, who are authorities on the seminar subjects, will add valuable information and insights and prepare you to get the most out of the field trips that complement the lectures.

Attendance is recommended for trip participation; information presented at the lecture will generally not be repeated on the field trip.

Field Trip Information

Open to members and their guests for a fee.

With transportation by chartered coach,* each field trip will take place in the same week as its complementary lecture. There will be things to see, places to visit, and much to discover. One meal, lunch or dinner, is included on each trip. Although the trips are not strenuous, be prepared for a bit of walking, standing, and stair climbing. The detailed trip descriptions will have more information about what to expect. While we hope for great weather, it sometimes rains. We'll go rain or shine. Wear appropriate clothing.

*Since you are traveling on an RIT-sponsored trip and therefore on RIT’s insurance policy, you have to take the transportation provided. Driving separately and/or following the bus is not permitted.

A minimum of 35 participants is required for each trip; the maximum number of participants is 50. Registration opens April 3 at 10 am and is limited to the first 50 paid registrants for each trip. That is, the date your payment is received will establish your order in the registration list, and you will be put on the waitlist if the trip fills up. 

Until one month before each trip, registration is open to Osher members and one guest per member; after that, registration continues on a first-come, first-served basis, for members and any additional guests you may wish to invite. All non-member guests must create an Osher online account in order to register and pay for the trips.

The cost of each field trip varies. The price covers transportation, one meal, admissions, gratuities, educational fees for lecturers, and other small, related expenses. The cancellation deadline for full refunds is 30 days before the field trip. After that time, unless a replacement is found from a waiting list, a full refund is not assured (fixed trip expenses will be deducted).

As of April 3, there will be an orange "Register for this Trip" button on each trip webpage, and you can register and pay by credit card using your Osher online account OR you can call staff to register and make the credit card payment for you. All non-member guests must create an Osher online account in order to register and pay for the trips.

It is highly recommended that you DO NOT MAIL CHECKS for your payments. If you have to pay by check, you must use a separate check for each trip. Make checks out to “Osher at RIT” and bring them to the Osher office. 

Travel release forms are required

You and your guest each must sign a Travel Release Form for each trip you go on. You will receive an email with the form attached; please print it out if you are able to. Hard copies will be available at Osher and can be picked up on the day of the lecture preceding each trip.  

Trip Details

To see more detailed descriptions of each trip and to register, click these links:

  • Trip 1 - Alfred/Hornell: Alfred University Ceramic Museum, Erie Depot Museum, and Cider Creek Hard Ciders
  • Trip 2 - Lockport/Childs: Cruise on the Erie Canal, and Cobblestone Society Museum
  • Trip 3 - The Shaw Festival (Gypsy) in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
  • Trip 4 - Niagara USA: Maid of the Mist cruise at the Falls, and Old Fort Niagara

Questions?

For information about registration or trip availability, contact Osher staff 585-292-8989 | osher@rit.edu

For information about the trip details, contact the trip leaders listed on each trip page.

We hope to see you on our trips this summer!

Summer Seminar 2023 Committee

Tim McDonnell (Chair), John Jaenike, Dawn Auerhahn, Bob Auerhahn, Marjorie Focarazzo, Sharon Garelick, Liz Cook, Nancy Uffindell, Helen Moore, Pat Donaldson, Estelle O’Connell, and Osher Staff