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
- Advocacy 101 in a Divided Era
- Beers of the Hudson Valley
- Car Care for Women
- Composting & Worm Composting at Home
- Curly Hair Care 101
- Drinking With Edgar Allan Poe
- Landscaping with Fruit
- Learn the Tarot
- Mushrooms, Mycelium and More
- New York State Safe Boating
- Paranormal Research 101
- Solar Power at Your House
- The Wines of New York State
- Travel Planning Made Easy
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鈥檒l learn how to turn your ideas and passions into action. We鈥檒l break down the steps of understanding an issue, building support, and influencing decisionmakers 鈥 yes, even elected officials! You鈥檒l discover how to use your voice to create change, whether it鈥檚 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鈥檒l leave feeling empowered, confident, and ready to take on the world (or at least your cause!). No experience necessary 鈥 just bring your curiosity and your passion. Let鈥檚 make change happen 鈥 together!
Course will be held in
Therese Daly, Instructor
| 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
Carlo DeVito, Instructor
| 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鈥檚 maintenance needs, taught by a woman and geared for women. Topics include a discussion of the importance of your owner鈥檚 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鈥檚 lubrication system. You鈥檒l learn how to confidently and safely check your engine鈥檚 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
Victoria Carl, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 9/19 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-208 500 | 9 seats left | $49 |
Composting & Worm Composting at Home
Are you curious about composting, but don鈥檛 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 鈥 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
Rich Daley of Sunray Sustainability, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, 9/22 6:00 pm - 8:15 pm |
ZSPI-287 500 | 17 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: 鈥淲hy does our hair feel so dry?鈥 鈥淲hat products should I be using?鈥 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鈥檛 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
Lavida Barkley, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, 9/15 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-338 500 | 21 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鈥檒l try beverages featured in 鈥淭he Cask of Amontillado,鈥 鈥淭he Fall of the House of Usher,鈥 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
Carlo DeVito, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, 10/2 - 10/9 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-348 500 | 8 seats left | $69 |
Landscaping with Fruit
In this class, we鈥檒l 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鈥檒l 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
Rich Daley of Sunray Sustainability, Instructor
| 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 鈥渨ork鈥 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
Melody Kearney, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturdays, 9/13 - 10/18 9:00 am - 11:00 am |
ZSPI-121 500 | 5 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: 鈥淣ational Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms鈥 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
Avery Stempel of Collar City Mushrooms, Instructor
| 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
Michael Cannistraci, Instructor
| 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鈥檚 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
Stacey Hawkins, Instructor
| 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鈥檛 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鈥檛 know who to trust.
Course will be held in
Jesse Ryan, Instructor
| 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鈥檚 most famous winemakers, writers, and personalities. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.
Course will be held in
Carlo DeVito, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, 9/18 - 9/25 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-347 500 | 0 seats left | $69 | Section 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鈥檙e 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
Abigail Cavazos, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 9/24 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-301 500 | 11 seats left | $27 |
Get in Touch
Office of Workforce Development and Community Education
Fax: (518) 629-8103
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding college holidays and vacations)