Don’t Forget the Grandchildren

Two tour programs for grandparents and grandchildren lead off an assorted collection of travel opportunities.

Grandtravel, whose generational programs have been developed with advice from teachers, psychologists and leisure counselors, is offering an activity-filled 14-day motor-coach package called “A New England Sampler.” The tour includes horseback riding, dune buggies, Go-Karts, steam trains and kite-flying. Participants will cruise the harbors of Boston and Hyannis, Mass.; ride a carriage in Acadia National Park, Me., and visit a wide variety of historical, cultural, and just-plain-fun attractions--from Plymouth Rock and Salem’s Witch Museum to the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord, N.H.

The price for the complete package includes hotels with private bath, all entry fees and service charges, breakfast, dinner and snacks each day, plus 12 lunches. The tour departs Boston on July 6. Air fare between the West Coast and Boston is not included in the prices. Per-person cost is $3,910, double occupancy; $3,750 for three, or $3,625 for four. For an itinerary, brochures and other information, call Grandtravel at (800) 247-7651. *

Another grandparent program closer to home is Boomtown, a mountain resort about 100 miles north of Los Angeles near Tehachapi. Boomtown resembles a small, rustic Western town but has a sports complex with tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, a swimming pool, miniature golf course, baseball diamond and bowling alley. Nearby is an equestrian center, a fishing lake and an 18-hole championship golf course. Shared educational experiences include arts and crafts, nature studies, music and science. Field trips include a visit to the NASA installation at Edwards Air Force Base, Willow Springs Racetrack, Tehachapi’s Gliderport, ostrich and wind farms.

Two intergenerational camps of one week each are offered June 26-July 1 and July 31-Aug. 5 for children ages 6-12. Grandkids and grandparents share comfortable two-bedroom, two-bath condominiums. The cost for each is $455 for adults and $355 for children. Prices include all meals and transportation for field trips. For information and reservations, call weekdays (805) 823-8115 or write to College of the Tehachapis, P.O. Box 1911-61, Tehachapi, Calif. 93581.

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For the seventh consecutive year, the Great Smoky Mountains community of Maggie Valley, N.C., is presenting its Golden Gathering celebration for travelers over 50, on Sept. 9-14. The celebration offers dozens of free activities with others priced from $6. Musical programs and variety shows, picnics, railway tours, fashion shows, dinner dancing, casino nights, bridge tournaments, hayrides and classes in quilting, woodworking, painting and basket weaving are available.

A free directory lists hotel and motel accommodations and maps. Write to Golden Gathering, P.O. Box 126, Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751, or call (800) 334-9036.