CITY OF ROCK HILL OUR CURIOSITIES NEVER RETIRE

By Krista Hayes, Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism

“You don’t grow old,” claimed missionary Eli Stanley Jones. “You get old by not growing,” he said. Just like many agencies in the state, the City of Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) Department strives to provide multiple opportunities for the 50+ population to experience growth socially and intellectually and to enrich the aging process.

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning @ Rock Hill (LL@RH) is one of the newest programs for the 50+ crowd, and the interest in this thriving program continues to expand. Following the model of other lifelong learning programs around the southeast, LL@RH provides two annual semesters (spring and fall) filled with a plethora of programs that cover the gamut of topics. These programs include multi-week courses, which usually last for four weeks; one-session workshops and art classes; Coffee & Conversation programs and Lunch & Learn events.

Local tours and excursions are also scheduled around York County, allowing participants to get to know their community in new ways. Such excursions also introduce new residents to many of the opportunities that exist in the area. Growth abounds with each semester as participants are eager to learn from the experienced and passionate volunteer facilitators while also meeting new people and strengthening friendships.

Additional Active Aging

The OWLS Club (Older, Wiser, Loving Seniors) offers monthly social outings, ranging from attending local sporting events together, sharing meals for breakfast and dinner, catching the latest release at the movie theater, or gathering for games, sports, art or dance at any of the multiple recreation centers.

Rock Hill PRT also offers the opportunity to travel near and far. Local, domestic and even international trips are scheduled two to three times a year, allowing travelers to grow in friendship and experiences. A June 2023 trip to Utah to see the beauty of our country’s national parks is already full.

By offering these programs and opportunities, our department hopes to provide active ways for those 50+ to age and engage. And the more active they can be—mentally or physically—the more spring they may find in their step!