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Adults and children are invited to explore everything from archaeology to yoga, estate planning to country line dancing to scrapbooking and much more in the Spring-Ford School District’s Community Education program.
Classes begin the first week of February, although some of the classes are scheduled for later in the spring.
The Community Education Program “intends to educate and exhilarate since learning is a lifelong process that can enhance your career development, family relationships and personal growth,” according to the program’s brochure.
Spring-Ford School District Superintendent Dr. Marsha Hurda pointed out to parents at a recent Spring City Home and School Association meeting that the program has expanded its offerings for children. Other than courses designated for children, however, the classes are designed for adults over age 18.
Children’s courses include Babysitting Safety, taught by an American Heart Association instructor from the North Penn Visiting Nurses Association. Designed for children age 11 and older, the two-week course reviews techniques for childcare from birth to age 6. Students also learn responsibility and play activities for each age group.
The babysitting course includes safety instruction, as well as the American Heart Association CPR Anytime program. Each student learns CPR in the class and receives a take-home kit for their families to learn CPR together.
Other children’s courses include communication and dining etiquette for ages 8 to 12; acting, ages 5 to 12 and 13 to 17; manners, ages 5 to 7; French, ages 3 to 5 and 5 to 7; afterschool snacks; magic; financial responsibility; writing, ages 7 to 11 and 12 to 15; soccer and basketball.
Safety courses include AAA Safe Driving for Mature Operators, CPR, first aid and self defense.
Arts and crafts courses include drawing, beading jewelry design, stained glass, digital photography, painting, bonsai, calligraphy, cartooning, knitting, quilt making, scrapbooking and woodworking.
Computer training features Computers for Seniors, desktop publishing, Excel, Word, internet, programming, FrontPage, PowerPoint, Visual Basic programming and home wireless networks.
Dance classes highlight Middle Eastern dancing, ballet, ballroom dancing, Scottish country dancing, country line dancing, hip hop, salsa, jitterbug and swing, tango, and tap.
Sports and exercise courses include Aeroflex, boxing, fencing, body sculpting, Pilates, Reiki, orienteering, Tai Chi, 5K training and yoga.
In the finance and legal category are ABC’s of Estate Planning, Baby Boomers on the Move, Benefits of a Flexible Portfolio, College Savings 101, Buying Your First Home, Complete Financial Management, Funding a College Education, So You Want to Go into Business for Yourself, and more.
Among the food classes are candy making, chocolate tasting, easy desserts, fast meals, cheese making, home canning, Indian cuisine and herbal tea. Health and wellness topics include arthritis, ADHD, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, weight loss, aging, massage, osteoporosis and more.
Also planned are courses in archaeology, including an actual dig; beekeeping, basic bicycle repair, bridge, dinosaurs, guitar, magic, juggling, comedy, fly fishing, genealogy, flowers, gardening, home design, languages, outdoor adventure, pet care and more.
Three trips are scheduled: the Philadelphia Flower Show on Saturday, March 10, with a registration deadline of Feb. 5; Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, “The Full Monty,” Friday, March 30, deadline Feb. 26, and New York City downtown gourmet food tour, Saturday, May 5, deadline March 30.
Courses range from one-evening seminars to 11-week classes. Most are held in the 9th Grade Center (the former high school), 400 S. Lewis Rd., Royersford.
The classes are open to anyone, not just residents of the Spring-Ford School District. Some classes feature a Gold Card discount for senior citizens.
Registration may be mailed or dropped off with check or money order to the Spring-Ford District Office, 199 Bechtel Road, Collegeville, PA 19426. No phone registrations will be accepted.
Classes will only run with sufficient enrollment. If too few people sign up for a particular class, it may need to be cancelled.
For more information about the Community Education program, call 610-705-6081.
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