Residents interested in unique learning opportunities in a relaxed and enjoyable environment are invited to an ElderCollege open house and 10-year anniversary celebration this Friday at 1:30 p.m.
NIC’s ElderCollege has been offering affordable and engaging educational experiences since 2005 to people 50 years and older in the Campbell River region, with approximately 280 members attending more than 800 courses, programs and events annually.
The open house and anniversary party will offer adult learners an opportunity to meet the instructors, receive information about fall offerings and prepare to register for courses on Monday.
Attendees will get insights from special guest and keynote speaker, deputy seniors advocate Mark Blandford, who is with the provincial government’s newly-established Seniors Advocate Office. The office is identifying and examining issues affecting the well-being of seniors in B.C. and raising awareness of available services.
A former British police officer, Blandford graduated in 1986 as an occupational therapist from the University Hospital of Wales. His health care career began in Canada shortly afterwards and a move to Victoria in 1991 saw him transition into a variety of seniors health programs. He was part of the team that developed Island Health’s Assisted Living Program and since that time has held a number of senior management roles with that organization.
An annual membership to ElderCollege is $10 plus GST and enables people to register for courses and workshops that range in price from free to $40. Registration for fall courses begins on Monday at 9 a.m. and can be done at NIC’s Campbell River campus or online at www.nic.bc.ca/eldercollege
“ElderCollege is a fantastic way to share and learn with others who have the common interest of learning and participating in a range of course topics,” says Cheryl O’Connell of NIC.
Course offerings this year range from basic computer skills (including how to use an iPad), to a wide variety of arts and cultural programs, such as learning to speak Spanish and painting with watercolours.
Participants can explore Canadian history and law, learn how to forecast the weather, or pick up some helpful knowledge about personal wellness.
Full details about courses, and registration can be found at www.nic.bc.ca/eldercollege, or by calling 250-923-9700. Drop by the open house on Sept. 12 at 1:30 p.m. and meet the many volunteers and instructors at ElderCollege.