Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning Calvin University, 2041 Raybrook St SE | Grand Rapids Michigan, 49546-4447 USA (lower level, rear entrance)
Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL) offers a wide variety of intellectually stimulating, non-credit courses and learning opportunities designed for adults of all ages. Since there are no exams or homework, CALL members participate in courses solely for the joy of learning.
In addition to courses, members have opportunities to join films, events, and travel opportunities. CALL has exclusive member discounts based on partnerships with several performing arts companies in the Grand Rapids area.
New persons receive a 1-year trial membership and pay only applicable course fees. Create an account under the "Apply for Membership" tab and select the trial membership. Once complete, you are now able to register for courses and events. We are happy to assist at 616-526-8777.
Online: This will give you the fastest real-time access to courses. When you register online, you are immediately assigned to a class roster.
In person: You are welcome to come to the CALL office to register on a first-come, first-served basis.
By mail: *** Mail registrations may be subject to delays that affect the availability of courses. Your registration is complete only when you receive written confirmation.
How do I log into my account? In the upper right corner of the page, there is a red box
marked Login. Enter your Username and Password and click enter.
I forgot my Username and/or Password! Click on the red “Login” box and click the link in
blue next to Forgot your username and/or password?" and the link to reset your
password will be emailed to you immediately. Clicking the link will take you to a
webpage that will show your username and allow you to reset your password. Write
down both your username and new password for future reference.
CALL courses often generate a great deal of enthusiasm. If you encounter a course that has filled, we strongly encourage you to add your name to the waitlist for that course. If a space becomes available before or shortly after the semester begins, you will be notified by email, and if you still wish to take the course, your registration and payment will be finalized at that time. If you do not receive notification from CALL, then you are not registered for the course. Open spaces in a course will be filled according to the order in which people added themselves to the waitlist. Waitlist information is also used to gauge interest in a course and will endeavor to re-offer a very popular course in a future semester.
To pay by check, either by mail or in-person, we suggest registering first by phone to
secure your seat in the course(s) as there can be a delay with mail delivery.
We want you to be satisfied with your CALL courses. If the course has not yet started, we are able to provide a refund. To receive a refund, you must contact the CALL office and formally withdraw from the course no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday prior to the first week in which the course meets. After this time, a student may withdraw from a course, but no refund will be given.
While we are glad to drop you from a course before it begins, please do not intentionally over-subscribe to courses with the expectation that you will drop some of them eventually. This takes available slots that might be filled by people with a strong interest in the course, and we thank you for observing this courtesy to your fellow members. CALL staff reserves the right to limit the number of changes or refunds that may be processed for a single member during the membership year.
The Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL) is a Learning in Retirement Institute. With the cooperation of the Elderhostel Network, Calvin University has established this program for persons of any age who both live within commuting distance of the university and/or participate online. CALL began in October 1996 with a pilot program of nine courses. Each semester the CALL board plans courses for persons who wish to learn from each other and from experts about subjects of intellectual and practical interests.
Perhaps the best answer is to simply quote from CALL's Constitution:
The purpose of CALL is twofold: first, to enrich the lifelong spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and social lives of its members, and second, to create an abiding partnership between Calvin University and all persons who wish to share knowledge, talents and experience.
Not at all! As a CALL member you will be informed about events of all kinds: museums, day trips, international and extended trips, local concerts and events—all offered to members at cost. This material is sent out at regular times to all CALL members.
Yes! CALL welcomes everyone who wants to participate! You need never have attended Calvin or any other university. We invite and welcome you to join us.
The annual membership fee is $40 per member. If you are new to the program, you receive a complimetary membership for the first year.The course fee schedule is $10-40 for each course taken. (There may be additional fees for materials). A discounted 3-year membership is also available for $105.
Once you become a member, you are automatically sent each bi-weekly issue of CALLNews by email with details of events,courses, and trips. CALLNews will also alert you to the events on Calvin's campus which are open to the public.
Show your membership identification card at the Calvin University library and you will receive a library card and access to a wealth of materials. The $10 library fee is waived for CALL members
Refreshment time between some of our classes gives you an opportunity to get to know interesting fellow students.
Each fall and spring there is a new set of courses from which to choose. Your suggestions regarding courses are valued; your willingness to be a class leader is welcomed. The Curriculum committee is eager for your input.
The Passport to Adventure travelogue series is one of the nation's most successful programs, each year presenting four of the best films available. This program is also open to the public.
The classrooms and facilities at Calvin are handicapped accessible.
There is free parking on the Calvin Campus with your CALL parking pass.
With your CALL membership you receive discounts from a number of our partners, including Grand Rapids Broadway, Grand Rapids Opera, Circle Theatre, Civic Theatre, and Jewish Theatre. See our Partnership tab for more details
Join a CALL interest group and meet with people who have similar interests such as knitting, biking, birding, or memoir writing.
