Community building for seniors in Harrison Township

Residents, 55 and older, have been staying busy for nearly two decades with the 55+ Harrison Township Active Adults group.

The group, established in the late 2000s, is funded and operates through the municipality that offers older residents the opportunity to have fun, move their body and travel at reduced costs with a community of people similar to them. It also provides them the opportunity to keep busy and social while in retirement or later years of their lives.

“(Our mission is) mostly just to get them all together and get to know one another,” said Debbie Wagner, the Active Adults coordinator who took on her role in 2023. “It’s a lot of people, and there are a lot of singles now. A lot of widowers and widows. They just want to get out and meet new people. I just love it.”

The Active Adults group offers weekly, monthly and seasonal events and outings. Wagner said there are more than 600 residents on her email list who receive notice about the group, though participation varies. She also said that over the last three years, the group has grown and the kinds of trips and opportunities provided have expanded.

There is chair yoga and chair strength training offerered every Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, at the Mullica Hill American Legion Post 452. Each session is only open to Harrison Township and Mullica Hill residents 55 and older, and they are each taught by certified instructors. It costs $5 per class, which is a fraction of the cost of an average workout class or gym membership. Wagner said each class brings out an average of 20 to 25 participants.

On the second Wednesday of every month, the Active Adults group hosts a luncheon at Ewan Fire Company’s hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is sponosored by the Harrison House Diner, which provides the food. This event brings the community together for an afternoon of socializing and commoradity. It is $8 per person and is only open to residents.

The fan-favorite parts of the Active Adults are the trips and travel opportunities.

A few times each month, trips to get seniors out of town for the day are offered, and transportation is included. In addition to being the coordinator, Wagner drives the Harrison Township bus specifically for the Active Adults group. She said it can only hold 32 passengers, which is the number most of the events are capped at; however, Wagner said all the trips are sold out about 95% of the time.

Tickets for events are purchased ahead of time at a discounted rate by Wagner or her board, then they go on sale to the 55+ residents in town for a cost that is cheaper than if they were to book it themselves on their own. If an event or trip does not sell out, Wagner said she will open it up to non-residents.

Many of the travel opportunities are educational, as the Active Adults visit a lot of historical sites and museums. Earlier this month, the Active Adults went to Atsion Mansion in Shamong and Batsto Mansion in Batsto for guided walking tours of the historical, preserved properties. The trip was just $10 for each resident, and the cost included the transportation, plus a schedule of events for the day.

“It was a lot of walking, which I love doing for my seniors. I love getting them out,” Wagner said. “It was a beautiful day, and they got to see (something new). They just loved it.”

They also often attend shows and musical performances, sporting events and unique trips Wagner puts together, which she said the seniors love.

“On October 28, (we’re hosting) a mystery shopping tour in Lancaster, Pa.,” Wagner said. “No one knows where we’re going. I just picked out five places and a place to have lunch.” The trip is $5 for transportation; attendees will need to pay for their own lunch and shopping sprees.

Wagner also recently implemented short vacations. Last September, the Active Adults took a relaxing two-night trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Members of the Active Adults range from 55 years old to around 94 years old. And across all ages, they are given the opportunity to make new friends, get out of town and create new memories.

For more information on the 55+ Harrison Township Active Adults group and to see a list of the remaining events and trips of the year, go to www.harrisontwp.us/department/55-plus-active-adults.