Pennswood Trips Committee Plans Many Opportunities for Entertainment and Travel

When Mike and Bobbi Posen moved to Pennswood Village a few years ago, they were quickly invited by their peers to become Chairs of the Trips Committee. The committee is a group of interested residents who brainstorm, organize, plan, and execute countless trips each year for the residents of Pennswood. Mike and Bobbi couldn’t say no to the offer, and as West Coast natives, joined the committee to learn more about the area.

“You might think that living in a senior living community is about retiring,” says Mike. “But we have been busier than ever planning and participating in some of the offerings that we have.” Bobbi adds, “Sometimes we have to intentionally schedule days to stay home!”

As Chairs, their role is to help plan and structure meetings with a group of about 12 fellow resident committee members. At the monthly meetings, they brainstorm places to visit, review suggestions submitted by other residents, and decide which places would make excellent trips.

Any Pennswood resident can suggest a trip to the committee, and many residents have personal ties to favorite destinations. For example, residents often visit the James. A. Michener Art Museum, which was co-founded by Herman Silverman, a current Pennswood resident. Another new resident and alum of the University of Pennsylvania recently organized a trip to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

“We have really learned a lot,” said Bobbi about the area, thanks to the trips they’ve been on with the committee.

Dori Colton, Trips Coordinator for Pennswood Village’s Transportation Department, assists residents in planning their trips. “All of the trips are put together by the residents,” says Dori. “It’s up to them to make it theirs. They get to decide on where they go.”

The person who suggests the destination usually takes part in organizing the trip with the help of Dori. The resident writes up information about the trip for the weekly bulletin and Dori puts up a sign-up sheet for interested residents, buys tickets, organizes transportation, and keeps track of sign-ups.

“It’s my job to make it as simple as possible for the residents, so they don’t have to worry about anything,” Dori adds. When there are costs associated with the trip, Dori will take care of purchasing tickets, and will add the total cost of the trip to residents’ monthly fee.

Trips the committee has organized in the past include the Philadelphia Art Museum, The Barnes Foundation, David Library of the American Revolution, day trips to New York City, Grounds for Sculpture, the Phillies, the Philadelphia Zoo, and many, many more. Regular offerings include many subscriptions series such as the Bucks County Playhouse, McCarter Theater in Princeton, and the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. The Trips Committee also plans overnight trips to destinations like Cape May, New Jersey, the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Berkshires.

“As a change from Pennswood’s regular fare (great as it is), we also like to try new restaurants, and new foods,” says Mike. The committee has organized trips to a new restaurant each month. Often, a trip to an area attraction will also include a dining out opportunity.

Regularly scheduled trips to grocery stores, shopping malls, train stations, and other local attractions are also available to residents who wish to do some shopping and exploring. Residents simply sign up, and Dori will schedule the appropriate transportation.

For more information on travel opportunities at Pennswood Village, give us a call today at 866-740-4977.