There are few things more invigorating, more inspirational, more exhilarating than sharing interests with like-minded people. Unless, of course, that shared interest involves learning.

"These are people who just have always had a knack for learning new things and reading books," said Diane Carroll, who's been Quest for Learning Lancaster's board president for eight years. "They're maybe a little nerdish. For senior citizens, almost everything they can do to keep the brain active is a really important part of aging well. There's also a business of meeting up with people, and their concern for each other. There's a whole gamut of socializing that goes on."

Quest for Learning Lancaster is all about education and fellowship.

Designed for but not limited to older adults, Quest for Learning Lancaster is gearing up for another series of informative classes at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 S. Duke St., Lancaster. The courses will offer four 50-minute classes - with time for questions and discussion at the end - on a variety of different topics at both 9:40 and 11 a.m. on six consecutive Thursdays, beginning Sept. 24.

There are modest costs associated with registering for the Quest for Learning Lancaster classes.

Overseen by a board of directors, Quest for Learning Lancaster, which also offers a similar curriculum in the spring, is celebrating 50 years of serving the county. Quest for Learnng is a secular, nonprofit organization.

"The lectures are amazing, and we get amazing lecturers," said Carroll. "These are presenters who everybody loves to hear. Sometimes our professors and presenters tell us they are ecstatic to be doing this for Quest because no one is texting, no one is falling asleep and the people are so attentive. They're listening, and, I hope, learning."

Quest for Learning Lancaster classes employ spoken lectures, some reading and visual aids to present the subject materials. There are no grades, tests or homework.

Among the most popular of the rotating topics are music, history, film and baseball, but there are also classes focusing on coffee, trees, writing, science and worldviews.

"No matter what it is that you're looking for, whether it's challenging topics or knowledge, you can find it at Quest," said Carroll, a resident of southern Lancaster County. "People just love the camaraderie and the education. These people really want to learn."

Currently, there are more than 300 individuals registered for Quest for Learning Lancaster courses, mostly senior citizens and mainly people from Lancaster County. On any given Thursday morning, more than 200 of those registrants will be in attendance.

The classes are led and taught by 30 volunteer instructors, including former and current professors, lawyers, industry experts and community leaders.

"I'm always a little disappointed when I ask people if they have ever heard of Quest and they haven't," said Carroll. "We have really tried to work hard on getting the word out. I think everybody deserves to know about it. It's a great opportunity."

Quest for Learning Lancaster was established in 1976 and has spent the last 49 years of its existence at the accommodating Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

"When it was first started, local ministers became interested in this format," said Carroll. "They were impressed by the number of people who attended. It was initially held at First Presbyterian Church, but it was so small of a venue that it had to be moved to Trinity Lutheran Church, and it's been there ever since. We are so grateful for the way Trinity Lutheran has treated us."

For additional information, go to http://www.questlancaster.org.