With the kids back in school, now’s your chance to brush up on an old skill, take up a new hobby or learn something you’ve always wanted to try. We scouted out some of the Scenic City’s unique learning opportunities for adults to help inspire your never-ending quest for knowledge.
Photography
Want to take your photography skills beyond choosing a filter on your phone? Join the Photographic Society of Chattanooga for its Boot Camp series, held from 6-6:45 p.m. each month before the group’s meetings (aside from September and October, when the organization holds its annual picnic and open house). August’s topic is “Gear Envy,” in which all the various equipment such as filters, telephoto glass and tripods will be discussed. Previous topics have included correct vs. creative exposure, the use of light, and creating sharper images.
Learn more at beta.sceniccity.org/education/boot-camp.
Culinary Classes
Whether you’ve always wanted to impress your friends with the perfect (and seemingly impossibly complicated) dish for a Sunday night dinner party, or just want to know how to use some of the knives in that fancy set you got as a wedding gift years ago, the Sweet and Savory Classroom has a class to help you up your game in the kitchen. This is your chance to explore ethnic cooking styles such as Thai street food, rustic Italian, Greek or French bistro; or learn how to use some of those unfamiliar goodies in your CSA subscription box.
Check out upcoming classes at sweetandsavoryclassroom.com.
If you still regret missing out on the chance to study abroad as a student, Chattanooga School of Language can help you re-create that experience of cultural immersion and make use of your language skills through its adult immersion trips. This November, the school will lead a French immersion trip to the Caribbean island of Martinique. Participants will spend their days engaging in language classes through local partner France Langue, and cultural excursions and activities with a native-speaking guide from CSOL, all while staying in a resort on the beach and taking advantage of unique opportunities such as sharing a meal with a local family.
Learn more about the program and view upcoming opportunities at chattanoogalanguage.com.
Local mindfulness teacher Yong OhLearn to live in the moment with the Center for Mindful Living’s Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation, offered next on Aug. 28. Participants will learn about mindfulness and its benefits, as well as experience activities that encourage mindfulness. If you’ve already been initiated into the mindfulness movement, there’s always more to learn. The center offers special workshops, such as its three-hour Introduction to Shambhala Meditation. Being held Aug. 5, this class will offer instruction on “peaceful abiding” meditation technique and guidance in developing mindfulness-awareness. At the end of the session you’ll be equipped to start a daily meditation practice on your own, or join the meditation practice sessions the center holds on a regular basis.
Visit centerformindfulliving.com to learn more.