by Penny Nama

Created on: January 28, 2009

Want to learn to make baklava, salsa dance, or how to use that new photography software? Are you looking for a new hobby or a class to help you professionally? Community education classes are a great way to develop new skills or hone old ones. You will also get involved in your community and maybe even make new friends.

Many community Park and Recreation associations offer classes that add richness and depth to the area they serve. Course offerings are usually published several times a year and are often mailed to residents. Some areas also use the Internet and post classes and registration information on the Parks and Recreation association's website. Each community is different on what types of classes are offered and how much they cost, but almost without exception they will have something for everyone.

The first step is to find out what courses are being offered. If your community does not mail course schedules out to the community, call your local Parks and Recreation association or visit their website to get a listing. Consider your budget and interests when looking through the offerings. If you would like to take a ceramics class with a $60 fee and you only have $30 to spend on a class, you know you won't be able to take the class this time, but you can save your money so the next time the course is offered you will have the money. You also need to look to see if there will be any additional materials you will need for the class. Some classes require textbooks or other materials that can add to the total expense of the class.

You will also need to consider your schedule. Don't register for a class where you will be rushing to get there. Instead, choose one that you can get to with plenty of time. This will allow you to deal with traffic or other unexpected problems and arrive at your class relaxed and ready to learn. The final thing you should consider when deciding on a class is the location of the class. Some communities offer classes at a number of different locations. Keep this in mind when picking your class, so you aren't surprised when you have to get across town for your class.

Now that you have picked your class, you need to register. Registering promptly is important because classes can fill up or be canceled if there isn't enough interest. So be sure to register as soon as possible. Each community will vary on how they conduct registration. Some will do it over the phone, others by mail or on-line, and some may need you to come in and register in person. Be sure to read their policies on what will happen if your class is cancelled or rescheduled and how to go about getting a refund if something happens and you can't attend your class.

Once you have registered, make note of any materials you will need to have for your class and begin acquiring them. Finally, go and enjoy your class and make community education classes a part of your life!

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