Leisure and Special Interest

Courses

• Curly Hair Care 101
• Keeping Backyard Chickens
• Meaningful Parenting
• New York State Safe Boating
• Organic Sustainable Gardening
• Overcoming the Transition Barrier
• Pinball 101 - Basic Mechanics & Gameplay Techniques
• Rum and Tequila
• Sangria
• Travel Planning Made Easy

Curly Hair Care 101

Choosing the right curly hair care routine for you or your child can be challenging. You might find yourself asking: “Why does our hair feel so dry?” “What products should I be using?” Join curly hair care coach and texture expert Lavida Barkley, owner of Coiled Salon in Schenectady, for an exclusive textured hair care workshop! Learn how to choose the right tools, products, ingredients, accessories, and routine to simplify your weekly wash hour. You will be provided with a take-home PDF guide for future use as well. Don’t miss this opportunity to master your curly hair routine, from tight coils to curls and waves, with hands-on support and live demos from a true expert!

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113 

Lavida Barkley, Instructor

Curly Hair Care 101

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 6/2 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-338 700	25 seats left	$39	Opens 5/14

Keeping Backyard Chickens

Interested in raising backyard chickens, but not sure where to start? This class is designed for those looking to keep small flocks, with a focus on cold-hardy heritage breeds. We’ll explore essential topics like secure and comfortable coop setups, feeding and caring for your flock, and keeping chickens happy and healthy during northeast winters. Participants will gain practical knowledge on local regulations, predator protection, and manure management, helping you confidently care for your own backyard flock. Whether you’re looking for fresh eggs, natural pest control, the joy of raising chickens, or simply planning to start with a few hens or improve your current setup, this workshop will provide the insights and resources needed for success. No prior experience required!

Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06

Rich Daley, Instructor

Keeping Backyard Chickens

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursdays, 6/5 - 6/12 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm	ZSPI-341 700	24 seats left	$64	Opens 5/14

Meaningful Parenting

Meaningful Parenting is an interactive course designed to strengthen parent-child connections. Participants will reflect on how their childhood shaped their parenting, discover patterns they want to improve, and learn how environmental factors influence family dynamics. The course provides practical tools and insights to foster healthier relationships and more intentional parenting. Participants will look back at the parenting style they had as kids and compare it to their own current style to learn how their past affects their present and reflect on positive and negative experiences in their community and culture. Recognizing these influences will help them create a better environment for their families to grow.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113 

Nakia Tillman, Instructor

Meaningful Parenting

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 6/23 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm	ZSPI-340 700	15 seats left	$36	Opens 5/14

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 Williams Hall, Room 113

Michael Cannistraci, Instructor

New York State Safe Boating

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, Wednesdays, 6/9 - 6/11 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm	ZSPI-019 700	24 seats left	$69	Opens 5/14

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, 6/4 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-288 700	24 seats left	$32	Opens 5/14

Overcoming the Transition Barrier

Overcoming the Transition Barrier

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, Thursdays, 7/22 - 8/7 9:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZSPI-345 700	12 seats left	$250	Add to Cart

Pinball 101 - Basic Mechanics & Gameplay Techniques

This course will turn you into the pinball wizard you were always meant to be! There is a lot more to pinball than just luck. With some basic skills, you can conquer any pinball machine. Each machine has its own rules, and learning to identify them is the key to scoring the most points. We will learn those techniques and use them on several different pinball machines spanning from the 1970s to today. The only prerequisite is the desire to have fun!

Course will meet at Mean Max Brewery, 251 River St, Troy, NY

Jesse Ryan, Instructor

Pinball 101 - Basic Mechanics & Gameplay Techniques

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 6/24 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm	ZSPI-300 700	12 seats left	$27	Opens 5/14

Rum and Tequila

Two of the most popular spirits for summer drinks are rum and tequila. This course will explain the history of each spirit, as well as explore the origins - sugar cane and blue agave – and students will sample silver and barrel-aged versions. What is navy rum? Spiced rum? What is a Hemingway Cuba Libre? What is mezcal? You’ll find out in this class, and will experience cocktails made from these spirits, like pina coladas, Cuba Libres, daiquiris, mojitos, dark and stormies, margaritas and palomas. Enjoy the tropical vibe as the warm days approach! Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113 

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

Rum and Tequila

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesdays, 6/18 - 6/25 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-343 700	32 seats left	$69	Opens 5/14

Sangria

Celebrate the spring and summer seasons with a worldwide favorite – sangria! This classic large group batch cocktail has captivated partygoers for years with its ease and simple list of ingredients. This class will feature both red and white wine recipes, as well as sparklers, sparkling fruit cocktails, refrigerator door and frozen sangrias, and even a few recipes for the holidays at the end of the year! We’ll learn about the history of classic sangria and recipe variations from all over the world and explore lots of bold new flavors, putting fresh twists on classic favorites. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113 

Carlo DeVito, Instructor

Sangria

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursdays, 6/5 - 6/12 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-342 700	32 seats left	$69	Opens 5/14

Travel Planning Made Easy

This condensed, yet comprehensive, three-hour course is designed to demystify the process of planning your next adventure. Whether you’re dreaming of a weekend getaway or a months-long expedition, this course will equip you with the essential tools and strategies to plan your trip efficiently and effectively. From destination selection to budgeting and packing, each module is packed with practical tips and actionable advice to streamline your travel planning experience. Come to class with a future trip ready to plan or just a dream of where you may want to go!

Course will be held in  Daycare Center, Room B05

Abigail Cavazos, Instructor

Travel Planning Made Easy

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 6/10 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm	ZSPI-301 700	20 seats left	$27	Opens 5/14