could be further from the truth, say Okanagan College’s BR Whalen (left) and Megan Shandro who have been busy organizing Revelstoke’s local celebration of International Adult Learners’ Week, which is happening April 11-19. Please click on the image to see a larger version. David F. Rooney photo
By David F. Rooney
It’s easy for some people to imagine that, having finished high school and college or university, they have little left to learn in life.
Nothing could be further from the truth, say Okanagan College’s BR Whalen and Megan Shandro who have been busy organizing Revelstoke’s local celebration of International Adult Learners’ Week, which is happening April 11-19.
“There’s a lot to celebrate,” BR said in an interview. “Many people are life-long learners. They know you can integrate learning into your life.”
That’s smart. Picking up new skills, learning how to accomplish new things and taking course simply out of interest in their subject matter ensures that our brains remain active and that we are interesting individuals.
Local businesses, institutions and non-profit groups are joining with BR and Megan to offer Revelstokians new opportunities to expand their horizons. Here’s a partial list of free workshops and programs on offer during this week:
- An incredible edible film organized by the NCES;
- A financial workshop being held by Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy;
- A scrapbook card making class;
- A pottery workshop led by Bob Kingsmill at the Visual Arts Centre;
- An introduction to mountain biking offered by Skookum Cycle & Wandering Wheel;
- A soup making demo and cake decorating workshop at Big Mountain Kitchen & Linen;
- A downtown heritage walk conducted by the Museum & Archives;
- A Common Threads knitting club session at the library;
- Yoga for beginners at Balu Yoga; and
- Much, much more. (Click here to see the poster with more complete list of classes and demonstrations.)
“The business community is excited about this, too,” Megan said. “This gives many of them an opportunity to show what they have to offer.”
One final thing: adults who need a quiet place to study are welcome to use the Learning Centre at Okanagan College on weekdays.
Please click here for more information about the many workshops and programs on offer during International Adult Learners Week and, oh, did we forget to mention that there’s a party, too?
On Friday, April 17, from 2 pm until 3 pm there will be a Life-Long Learning Award Celebration complete with tea and cake at the college. If you know someone who exemplifies life-long learning you can nominate him or her for one the awards. Please contact BR Whalen or Megan Shandro at 250-837-4235 Ext 6505 or 6511.
