Leisure and Special Interest

Try a new hobby or just learn something new with our wide range of special interest courses!

How to Register

  • Register online by selecting "Add to Cart" on the desired course(s) and select "Cart" at the bottom of the page when you are ready to checkout.
    • The “Seats Left” information is updated every half hour and when you checkout.
  • Other registration options are available.

Don’t see the course you are looking for below? Sign up to get updates and news about upcoming classes.

Courses

Be Your Own Life Coach

This course will help you to explore so many ways that you can become your own, best life coach!  Topics will include Self Analysis and Goal Setting, Incorporating Health and Wellness into your everyday, Stress Management, Time Management, Improving your Listening/ Communication Skills, and Motivating You!   Reflect, Refresh and learn how to be your own best coach through life!  This course is available through Brightspace D2L. You will need your Hudson Valley username and password to access the course.

This is an online course in Brightspace D2L. 

Danielle Blesi, Instructor

Be Your Own Life Coach
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Online, 4/8 - 4/26 ZSPI-291 600 13 seats left $49

Mushrooms, Mycelium and More

Unravel the mystery and majesty of mushrooms! Discover the possibilities of a mycelium-based future! Learn how to find and identify fungi in the wild! If any of these exclamations interest you, then this is the course for you. Suggested reading: "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms." ISBN 978-0-394-51992-0

Course will be held in  Daycare Center, Room B06 

Class on 4/22 will be held at Collar City Mushrooms, Troy

Avery Stempel of Collar City Mushrooms, Instructor

Mushrooms, Mycelium and More
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Monday, 4/8
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, 4/22
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, 4/29
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
ZSPI-260 600 0 seats left $35Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

New York Beer Appreciation

Did you know New York was the number one producer of beer in America for more than 110 years? Or that New York now has more breweries than at any other time in its history? In this course, we will cover the basics of beer appreciation. We will identify styles and flavors and discuss beers such as pilsner, Kolsch, IPA, DIPA, wheat, fruit, porters and stouts, and seasonal brews from some of the state’s best brewers, including many well-known brewers, plus possibly some locally-made homebrew. The course will teach about how each beer is made, and where and who they come from, providing a thorough history of beer in New York State. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

New York Beer Appreciation
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursdays, 4/18 - 4/25
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
ZSPI-284 600 8 seats left $69

New York State Safe Boating

New York State requires certain boat operators to have a boating safety certificate.  All individuals born on or after May 1, 1996 are now required to successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a motorboat. Additionally, operators of any age (14 or older) that wish to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) are required to complete a boater education course. For more information, please visit https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/boating/education.aspx

Course will be held in  ADM, Room 107

Michael Cannistraci, Instructor

New York State Safe Boating
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Monday, Wednesdays, 3/25 - 3/27
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
ZSPI-019 600 0 seats left $69Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Organic Sustainable Gardening

Discover the power of nurturing soil to create thriving, eco-friendly gardens that give back to the Earth. This workshop will focus on enriching soil health, fostering vibrant ecosystems, and ensuring your garden is beyond sustainable, and environmentally conscious. Whether you're a seasoned gardener looking for a new perspective, or just starting out in the gardening world, this workshop will be helpful on your gardening journey.

Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06

Rich Daley, Instructor

Organic Sustainable Gardening
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Wednesday, 3/20
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
ZSPI-288 600 0 seats left $27Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Sustainable Landscaping & Ecological Design

This workshop will dive into designing and developing outdoor space in a beyond sustainable, environmentally friendly way by utilizing ecological design. The primary focus will be on landscaping at the home scale in a way that focuses on soil health, native and beneficial plants, biodiversity, water-efficiency, and conserving resources. You can design landscapes that not only reflect your unique vision, but also contribute positively to the health of the planet!

Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06

Rich Daley, Instructor

Sustainable Landscaping & Ecological Design
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Wednesday, 4/10
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
ZSPI-289 600 0 seats left $27Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Tree ID and Intro to Tree Science

Introduction to learn how to identify trees and other woody plants on campus and in forest. Basics introduction in tree science such as how they grow, reproduce and the benefits to trees. Join ISA Certified Arborist in a lecture and walk around campus learning basic tree id and basic tree science. Dress for the weather and unpaved trail walking.

Course will be held in Administration Building, Room 106

Brian Smith, Instructor

Tree ID and Intro to Tree Science
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Friday, 5/3
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
ZSPI-290 600 0 seats left $24Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Unplug & Recharge with Horses

Always feeling frazzled, fatigued, and drained by the end of the day? You’re not alone! Burnout is at an all-time high and has recently been recognized as an official medical diagnosis. This class is a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with nature to find inner calm amid all of life’s demands. Join us in the arena for a transformative experience with horses that will leave you feeling relaxed and recharged. You’ll learn strategies for minimizing stress to regain energy, purpose, and passion, at work and in life. No riding and no horse experience necessary.

Course will meet at 148 Gansevoort Road, Gansevoort, NY

Katie Navarra, Instructor

Unplug & Recharge with Horses
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Wednesday, 4/17
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
ZSPI-281 600 7 seats left $125

Whiskey Appreciation

In this course, we will cover the basics of whiskey appreciation, identifying flavors, acidity, and tannins. We will discuss moonshine, bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, Canadian whiskey, rye, Irish whiskey, Scotch blends, single grain whiskies, single malt whisky, and Islay Scotch whisky. There will be tasting and notes involved. The course will teach about how each whiskey is made, and where the best regions are for each type. Other styles and varietals will be explored as well. We’ll discuss the differences between whiskies and regions, i.e. Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, emerging US regions, Ireland, Scotland, and Japan. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held at HVCC North, Room 123, 345 Hermes Road, Malta, NY

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

Whiskey Appreciation
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursdays, 4/4 - 4/11
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
ZSPI-273 600 0 seats left $69Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Wine Appreciation

In this course, we will cover the basics of wine appreciation. Identifying flavors. Acidity. Tannins. We will discuss white wines: Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc; and Riesling. Red wines: Cabernet Savignon, Pino Noir, and Merlot. There will be a section of ports and sherries. And on sparkling wines. There will be tasting and notes involved. The course will teach about how each wine is made, and where the best regions are for each type. Other styles and varietals will be explored as well. Differences between California, Europe, Southern Hemisphere, and East Coast will be discussed as well. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held in  Williams Hall, Room 113

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

Wine Appreciation
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursdays, 5/2 - 5/9
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
ZSPI-263 600 0 seats left $69Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Additional Resources

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Forms and Important Information
Here you will find forms for all of our courses and programs, including kids on campus, related to registration, consent and release, scholarship requests and more.
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Refunds & Cancellations
Cancellation and refund policies vary depending on the type and length of course. Find out about course cancellations, requesting a refund and more.
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Apply to Teach
The Office of Community, Professional and Workforce Development is interested in new and innovative instructors and course ideas that will be of interest to community members.

Get in Touch

Community, Professional and Workforce Development

Fitzgibbons Health Technologies Center, Room 334

Fax: (518) 629-8103

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer 2023 Hours (May 22 - July 28): Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday, Closed
(excluding college holidays and vacations)