Adults can go back to school too
David Mullan and his wife, Sally, are lifelong learners. They both worked toward becoming stewards of the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
"We decided that once we got close to retirement, we would work toward the woodland stewardship program at the arboretum, which we both did and earned our certificates," David said.
"I also had a chance to go on and take the steward leadership class and the TreeKeepers class, which Sally is doing this semester."
David's work in conservation design and his interests in the environment led the Lombard couple to classes at the arboretum. Since 2003, both have volunteered at the arboretum in many capacities and continue to take classes, including those for their personal garden as well.
"Being outdoors and the camaraderie add to the classroom experience," David said. "It brings us a lot of fulfillment."
As children and teens head back to school this year, adults, too, find that opportunities abound for taking classes. Beside the course structure for earning degrees at a college or university, the prospects to improve oneself or develop professionally are widespread.
Center for Lifelong Learning
The National Moser Center for Adult Learning was established to make Benedictine University's respected education available to the nontraditional adult student. Now starting its fifth year in Naperville, its Center for Lifelong Learning offers education without the pressure of tests or grades. Call (630) 829-1384 or visit ben.edu/CLL for details.
"We offer programs in the arts and literature that always draw people in," said Ronald Finnigan, CLL director. "About a third of our classes are new each semester, and some of the others are offered with a different time or date, so if a class catches your eye but you are unable to take it this semester, maybe the next time it will hit right for you."
Students recommend some of the offerings and some come from the shared experiences of a vast network of similar centers across the country.
Among the newest classes at the Center for Lifelong Learning, 1832 Centre Point Circle, Suite 102, Naperville, is a one-session class in How and What to Pack for a vacation. The two-hour class will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, and costs $19.
If France is in your travel plans, consider a four-session Introduction to the French Language class starting at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, for $64, and a three-session Treasures of the Louvre from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 8, for $48.
Next semester, CLL will offer its well-liked class on travel to China.
"Our program called Our World Today is very popular, where we examine both current and international topics," Finnigan said. "We also had a well-attended class to look at the top ten Supreme Court decisions and the impact of those on society."
Single-day classes for $19 include People and Events that Ended the Civil War, Brain Games, Chicago Musical Legends, The Eastland Disaster and The Real Story Behind the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Diverse offerings include The Myth of Aging and Power of Meditation, starting Nov. 3, and C.S. Lewis starting Oct. 20. Each has four sessions for $64.
Computer-related topics include How to Self-Publish, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Office at Home. Health Care Advocacy offers a powerful tool for understanding health care issues.
With more than 40 courses per semester in art, history, music, literature, politics, famous people and current events, choosing class to take might be the hard part.
Morton Arboretum Adult Programs
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle began offering classes and workshops 75 years ago when ecologist and educator May T. Watts started its education program.
Among its popular programs are Tree Identification, Bird Walks and Prairie and Woodland Restorations. Its newest offering is Arboretum Uncorked, which offers attendees the chance to create a natural painting, learn about nature photography or make an art piece while enjoying a glass of wine and the camaraderie of others.
Students who attend the eight-session TreeKeeper program, pass a written exam, and pledge to perform 24 hours of volunteer work can become certified.
Intro to Smartphone Photography offers a three-hour class that starts with postprocessing photos at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, for $35 for members, $44 for others.
A plant ecologist will teach Tree ID and Ecology by examining more than 70 trees. The four-hour class meets both indoors and outdoors over four Saturdays starting at 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at Thornhill Education Center at the arboretum. The fee is $178 for members, $209 for others.
Physical fitness classes at the arboretum include Adult Yoga, Aerial Tree Yoga and Stroller Strides, designed for moms with a toddler or young child.
Autumn is the perfect time to study Landscape for Life, offered from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 15 and 22, or 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Sept. 17 and 24. The fee is $128 for members, $150 for others, and includes arboretum admission.
A Botanical Art class meets at 6:30 p.m. four Wednesdays starting Sept. 9, and artist Wendy Brockman's Painting Oaks two-day class is 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Sunday, Oct. 16 and 18.
Being in nature is heightened with the arboretum's Bird Walks from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov. 7, for $8 for members. Nonmembers pay $10 for the walk in addition to the standard arboretum admission charge.
Register for arboretum classes at (630) 719-2468, the Visitors Center or online, mortonarb.org. The Morton Arboretum is at 4100 Route 53, Lisle, just north of I-88.
Adult education classes also are found at your local park district, library, junior college, health club, merchants and art groups. Being together with like-minded people, reinvigorating your career, expressing your creativity or pursuing more knowledge are all good reasons to return to the classroom this fall.
• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. Her column runs monthly in Neighbor.