Each fall and spring, more than 30 classes on subjects like history, arts, religion, contemporary issues, science, technology, wellness, etc. are offered at two host sites: at Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village and Landis Homes. The opportunities also include hands-on offerings and off-site excursions.
The Spring term usually runs from mid-March through the end of May. The Fall term runs from mid-September through the end of November. Usually, we have an open-house event (a kick-off event) at each host site – Lancaster County and the Capital Region – 4-5 weeks before each term. Registration for courses begins after the kick-off events.
Course catalogs become available a month before the term starts. You can view online or download and print a copy. We also have Courses-at-Glance documents which list all sessions in the chronological order.
You can register online, see the links under “Registration”. If you need help with registration, please contact a Pathways Institute office representative. The contact information is at the bottom of the website.
Anyone 55 and better can attend Pathways Institute courses. You do not have to be a resident of Messiah Village or Landis Homes.
Membership Benefits
- Reduced course fees
- No cancelation fee, if dropping a course
- Priority access to courses
- Guest access, allowing you to bring a friend to one 1-2 session course once a term, free of charge
- Priority access to special events sponsored by Pathways Institute and our partner organizations
- Access to overnight trips offered by Messiah Lifeways and Landis Communities
- Access to events at Messiah University (for participants in the Capital Region)
- Access to events from partner organizations (for participants in the Capital Region)
- Use of Messiah University’s Murray Library with borrowing privileges at no cost (for participants in the Capital Region)
- An option to sit in on Messiah University courses, subject to availability (for participants in the Capital Region)
Membership is not required to participate in Pathways Institute courses. However, members will receive various benefits, see the section “What are the benefits of membership with Pathways Institute?”
Membership is $37 per term for community members and $21 per term for Messiah Village residents; Fernecrest Priority Club Member or Charter Member, Susquehanna Conference Brethren in Christ (BIC) members; and Landis Communities residents, partners, and affiliates. Membership is not required to participate in Pathways Institute courses, however, members receive various valuable benefits, see the section “What are the benefits of membership with Pathways Institute?”
Course Fees
Each course has a fee, which is listed in the catalog under each course description. Please note that the fees for members are reduced. Some courses have additional costs (for supplies, admission, etc.) which are noted in the course description.
| Course Fees | Member | Non-member |
| 1-2 session course | $12 | $24 |
| 3-4 session course | $16 | $32 |
| 5-6 session course | $19 | $38 |
| Excursion Fee* | $16 | $32 |
* Additional costs may apply for admission, transportation, etc.
To guarantee your spot in a course, all fees must be prepaid before the start of the course. For excursions and offsite opportunities, the fees must be paid two weeks prior to the day of the event.
You can pay registration fees online using a credit card. You can also mail a check made out to Messiah Home (for the Capital Region participants) or Landis HCBS (for Lancaster County participants)
What is a Purchase Protection Plan?
Purchase Protection Plan is offered by the registration software provider Regpack. If a participant has chosen Purchase Protection and is unable to attend a completely paid course(s) due to a covered circumstance, the course fees will be reimbursed.
Per Regpack, the coverage applies to death, accident, or illness that is not a pre-existing condition or change of medication of the participant OR a member of their immediate family. Immediate family is considered the husband, wife, partner, civil partner, parent, child, or sibling of the registrant.
The minimum purchase price for a Purchase Protection Plan is $7, regardless of total course fees. Each participant will have an option to select Purchase Protection when registering for courses as long as they are paying by credit card. This protection fee is not refundable.
Please see information about Terms and Conditions here. Also, please see instructions on how to file a claim.
If you choose not to purchase the Protection Plan, the refund policy will apply, see “Refund Policy and Cancellations” Section.
Please note that a participant’s membership fee is not refundable.
If a course is canceled by Pathways Institute, a participant will receive credit for the full amount of the registration fees paid toward future courses.
If a participant selects a Purchase Protection Plan: the refund policy will not apply in this case. The participant will need to file a claim directly with the registration software provider Regpack.
If a participant doesn’t select a Purchase Protection Plan:
Members will receive credit for the full amount of the registration fees paid towards future courses when dropping a course at least 14 days prior to the course start date. No credits/refunds will be given if a course is dropped 13 days or less before the start date.
Non-members will receive a credit toward future courses, minus a $10 cancellation fee when dropping a course at least 14 days prior to the course start date. No credits/refunds will be given if a course is dropped 13 days or less before the start date.
With the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) announced on May 11, 2023, we have implemented changes in our Safety Guidelines related to COVID-19. CDC discontinued the use of community levels, therefore we will no longer be enforcing additional safety measures, unless there would be an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Messiah Village Campus.
In case of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Messiah Village Campus, the following safety measures may be implemented:
- Masks may be required.
- Social distancing and reduced room capacities may be enforced.
- Screening procedures may be implemented.
- Messiah Lifeways buses may be at socially distanced capacity.
- Depending on campus outbreak status, courses may need to be postponed, canceled, or switched to virtual.
We will notify you promptly by email if there would be a COVID-19 outbreak on campus and the impact on the course schedule. The outbreak signage will also be posted on the entrance doors on campus.
If you are feeling unwell or have been exposed to COVID-19, we continue to ask you to refrain from attending the in-person Pathways Institute courses.
If you tested positive for COVID-19 and have recently attended a Pathways Institute course, we ask that you notify the Pathways Institute Office at 717.591.7213 as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at info@thepathwaysinstitute.org or 717.591.7213.
- Mask wearing is optional for participants during courses on the Landis Homes campus and on Landis Homes transportation.
- Screening is no longer required for participants who live off campus.
- Please do not attend the courses if you are feeling ill.
- If you have tested positive and attended a Pathways Institute course in the 48 hours prior to the start of your symptoms or to the receipt of a positive test, we ask that you notify the Pathways Institute office as soon as possible.
- Please follow CDC guidelines related to testing after exposure.
If you have any concerns or questions please speak to the Pathways Institute Program Coordinator. You can call our office at 717.381.3577 or email us at inquiry@thepathwaysinstutute.org