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.

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Courses

Advocacy 101 in a Divided Era

Have you ever felt passionate about an issue but had no idea where to start in advocating for it? In this fun, hands-on course, you’ll learn how to turn your ideas and passions into action. We’ll break down the steps of understanding an issue, building support, and influencing decisionmakers – yes, even elected officials! You’ll discover how to use your voice to create change, whether it’s organizing a campaign, speaking at a town hall, or rallying your community online. Advocacy can feel intimidating, but through creative activities, real-world examples, and plenty of laughs, you’ll leave feeling empowered, confident, and ready to take on the world (or at least your cause!). No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and your passion. Let’s make change happen – together!

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113

Therese Daly, Instructor

Advocacy 101 in a Divided Era
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Wednesday, 10/15
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm		 ZSPI-350 500 14 seats left $39

Beers of the Hudson Valley

Join us to explore the history of beer making in New York City, Poughkeepsie, Albany, and the North Country, from classic styles to sours and barrel-aged varieties. Learn about the profiles of Vassar, Taylor, and Ruppert, and taste some of the newest brews around. 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

Beers of the Hudson Valley
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursdays, 10/16 - 10/23
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm		 ZSPI-349 500 15 seats left $69

Car Care for Women

This course offers a basic hands-off overview of your vehicle’s maintenance needs, taught by a woman and geared for women. Topics include a discussion of the importance of your owner’s manual, knowing what kind of oil your car takes and why, an overview of the basics (as basic as learning how to open your hood), getting familiar with vehicle operations, and developing a basic understanding of systems like the brakes, exhaust, suspension, cooling, air, a/c, and the engine’s lubrication system. You’ll learn how to confidently and safely check your engine’s oil level, top off fluids, and gain knowledge of basic maintenance needs such as air filter replacements and tire rotation intervals, and learn why these things are important.

Course will be held in Cogan Hall, Room 153

Victoria Carl, Instructor

Car Care for Women
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Friday, 9/19
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm		 ZSPI-208 500 10 seats left $49

Composting & Worm Composting at Home

Are you curious about composting, but don’t know where to start? Are you a veteran composter, but looking for different perspectives? Come and learn the simple science and practice behind traditional forms of composting, and also vermicomposting – using worms to create a rich soil amendment. There are many options available, even systems that work in the smallest apartments. This workshop will include a live worm farm demonstration, Q&A session, and some great discussion!

Course will be held in  Daycare Center, Room B06

Rich Daley of Sunray Sustainability, Instructor 

Composting & Worm Composting at Home
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Monday, 9/22
6:00 pm - 8:15 pm		 ZSPI-287 500 18 seats left $34

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, 9/15
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm		 ZSPI-338 500 22 seats left $39

Drinking With Edgar Allan Poe

From his personal favorites to the wines, beers, and spirits mentioned in his various works, come sample the alcoholic beverages of Edgar Allan Poe. We’ll try beverages featured in “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and other stories, as well as his personal favorites of port, madeira, milk punch, and eggnog, as well as cocktails named for Poe and his stories. 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

Drinking With Edgar Allan Poe
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursdays, 10/2 - 10/9
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm		 ZSPI-348 500 10 seats left $69

Landscaping with Fruit

In this class, we’ll explore how fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers can be thoughtfully woven into home landscapes using organic practices. From espaliered apples and berry hedgerows to fruiting groundcovers and native shrubs, discover the many ways fruit can offer both nourishment and beauty. Together, we’ll discuss site planning, plant selection, seasonal care, and the unique role fruit plays in resilient, life-supporting landscapes. This class is perfect for gardeners, homeowners, and anyone curious about integrating edible abundance into their yard or shared green spaces.

Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06

Rich Daley of Sunray Sustainability, Instructor

Landscaping with Fruit
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Tuesdays, 9/30 - 10/7
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm		 ZSPI-353 500 19 seats left $68

Learn the Tarot

The goal of this class is for you to learn how to use tarot cards for yourself. Tarot offers ways for you to blend your inner and outer realities so you can live your life more creatively. We will look at metaphors, symbols and archetypes to help you better understand the tarot. Topics include the major and minor arcana, numbers and symbols, interpreting cards, reverse cards, creating questions, deck care and selection, multiple spreads, the Celtic cross, and more. We will utilize an interactive workshop format with short weekly “work” activities/readings to help you connect your cards and their meanings. Students must bring their deck of Rider-Waite cards to all classes.

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113

Melody Kearney, Instructor

Learn the Tarot
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Saturdays, 9/13 - 10/18
9:00 am - 11:00 am		 ZSPI-121 500 6 seats left $79

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 course is for you. Suggested reading: “National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms”  ISBN 978-0-394-51992-0.

Class on 9/29 will be held at Indian Ladder Farms, 342 Altamont Rd., Altamont, NY

Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B05 

Avery Stempel of Collar City Mushrooms, Instructor

Mushrooms, Mycelium and More
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Mondays, 9/15 - 10/6
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm		 ZSPI-260 500 13 seats left $39

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/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
Wednesdays, 9/17 - 9/24
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm		 ZSPI-019 500 25 seats left $69

Paranormal Research 101

Join paranormal investigator/researcher Stacey Hawkins, who has worked with nationally-known paranormal expert Jack Kenna for the past several years, to learn the steps necessary to build and grow a successful paranormal team and research/investigate haunted locations. Students will find out how to find and work with clients; examine the most common equipment used, learn how it works and when to use it, and gain tips and techniques for optimizing its use to capture quality evidence; and review evidence of actual paranormal activity. Students will need to purchase a course book written and signed by Jack Kenna for use in this class; it can be purchased at http://jackkenna.org. Students will participate in an off-site investigation on Monday, Oct. 20 from 7- 11 p.m. at Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady. Registration fee includes a $45 materials fee for the off-site investigation.

No class 10/22

Off-site investigation on Mon. 10/20, extended class time 7 - 11 p.m.

Course will be held in Administration Building, Room 104

Stacey Hawkins, Instructor

Paranormal Research 101
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Wednesdays, 9/24 - 10/29
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm		 ZSPI-218 500 11 seats left $129

Solar Power at Your House

This class will answer all the questions about putting solar on your house that solar companies won’t tell you. Is there any truth to the ridiculous ads you see online about everything being free? Do you still have power when the power goes out? Does New York pay you to go solar? Cut through the nonsense with this informative class geared towards homeowners who are curious about solar power but don’t know who to trust.

Course will be held in  Daycare Center, Room B06

Jesse Ryan, Instructor 

Solar Power at Your House
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Monday, 10/27
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm		 ZSPI-326 500 6 seats left $27

The Wines of New York State

Learn about the history of wine in New York State, including wines from the Hudson Valley, Long Island, the Finger Lakes, and the Lake Erie area. Learn about quality award-winning wines, as well as profiles of New York’s most famous winemakers, writers, and personalities. 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

The Wines of New York State
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursdays, 9/18 - 9/25
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm		 ZSPI-347 500 0 seats left $69Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

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
Wednesday, 9/24
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm		 ZSPI-301 500 15 seats left $27

Get in Touch

Office of Workforce Development and Community Education

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Fitzgibbons Health Technologies Center, Room 334
(518) 629-7339

Fax: (518) 629-8103

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding college holidays and vacations)