River Falls Community Education: A Catalog of Lifelong Learning Opportunities

River Falls Community Education offers a diverse range of classes and programs designed to enrich the lives of individuals of all ages and interests. From essential safety courses to creative arts workshops and fitness programs, there's something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Safety and Wellness Programs

Minnesota 55+ Driver Improvement Course

This Minnesota-based accident prevention course provides participants with the latest information about driver and traffic safety, new vehicle technology, and updated traffic laws. Taught by local and qualified instructors in accordance with Minnesota Statute 65b.28, this course offers valuable safety information and makes participants eligible for a 10% discount on their automobile insurance premium for three years. To receive the insurance discount, participants must complete a 4-hour course, effective July 1st, 2024. The 8-hour initial classes will no longer be needed to initially earn the discount. A 4-hour course should be taken every 3 years to maintain the discount. The cost of the class includes a registration fee to help cover advertising and refreshments.

CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification

This course trains participants on skills from the American Red Cross for Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED. The online course walks participants through lifesaving steps in many different situations to ensure a base knowledge is met. The in-person skills check ensures the physical portion of the certification can be met.

Just Breathe! Breathing for Health and Well-being

Discover the amazing and powerful healing benefits of specific breathing techniques on the mind and body. This workshop teaches ancient breathing exercises that can neutralize stress by reprogramming the nervous system, increase energy and vitality, increase brain function, improve immune response, decrease depression and anxiety, and help strengthen your back and abs from the inside out.

Acupressure for Women's Health

Explore acupressure, an Eastern healing technique that involves pressing or massaging key points on the body to stimulate energy flow through pathways called meridians. Learn how to use acupressure points to assist in symptom relief related to perimenopause. Common symptoms of perimenopause include fatigue, migraines, weight gain, water retention, depression, sleep disturbances, joint aches, hot flashes, anger flashes, migraines, fibroids, and exaggerated PMS. The class will discuss how to get hormone levels measured - blood test vs. saliva test and what to do with the results; traditional HRT vs. bio-identical; acupressure points to assist in symptom relief and nutritional musts.

Creative Arts and Crafts

Beaded Garden Stakes

Look forward to spring by creating beautiful Beaded Garden Stakes. These garden stakes will look adorable outdoors in your plants in the spring, or in your indoor plants. Maybe we could even make a small stake to put in there, too. It is time to “Think Spring!”

Hand Sewing: Framed Flower Garden

This fun class teaches kids how to sew buttons to create a darling framed flower garden that will BLOOM all year long.

Top Secret Gift for Dad/Grandpa/Uncle

Create a "top secret" gift that he will LOVE, making a card and decorating a gift bag!!! Will you be able to keep it a secret?

Surprise Gift for Mom/Grama/etc.

We will have a surprise that we can't share! Believe me…we will put a smile on Mom's face! We will complete our gift, decorate a gift bag and make a card for Mom/Grama/etc. We may be painting so feel free to pack a paint shirt to avoid splatters.

Technology and Digital Skills

Canva Basics

Canva is the perfect digital tool for beginners and novices! In this class, you will learn how to create designs from scratch or use templates with step-by-step guidance for any digital image you need.

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Advanced Canva Techniques

Take your Canva skills to the next level with advanced techniques and hidden features that will streamline your design workflow. This one-hour workshop is perfect for users already familiar with Canva basics who want to discover time-saving shortcuts, professional design hacks, and tools that make creating stunning graphics effortless.

Music Instruction

Guitar Crash Course

Have you ever wanted to learn the guitar but simply find it difficult to find the time? In just a few hours, you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won’t have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Since this class is being held online with ZOOM, you will be able to sit at home with your guitar and take this class without any pressure at all. Plus, since the class includes an online book and online follow-up video lessons, you will be able to continue your practice and study on your own. An optional periodic online question and answer session is also included. A recording of the class is included as well. Class limited to 15 students.

Piano Chords Crash Course

In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. Learn to play the piano the way professionals do - using chords. Since this class is being held online with ZOOM, you will be able to sit at your piano or keyboard at home and take this course with no pressure at all. Plus, since this course includes an online book and online follow-up video lessons, you will be able to continue your practice and study on your own. An optional periodic online question and answer session is also included. A recording of the class is included as well. The course is part lecture/demonstration and part hands-on instruction.

Programs for Children and Families

Big Truck Event

All kids, big and little, are invited to come and check out all the big rigs at our Big Truck Event!

Early Childhood Screening

Early Childhood Screening is a FREE developmental screening required by the state of Minnesota prior to entry in Kindergarten or within 30 days and also for some early childhood programs.

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Parent and Child Together Time

Mixed ages 0-5 years old. Learn and discover together through play, art, sensory and circle time in classrooms designed for young children through preschool. Parents will connect with a licensed parenting educator and other parents to discuss the celebrations and frustrations that come with the parenting journey.

Family Movie Date

Bring your family to a movie date at Falls Cinema! It will be a child-friendly setting (not too loud or dark). Ticket price includes kiddie snack pack or regular sized popcorn and soda for adults.

Family Swim Time

Spend time together as a family swimming at the Franklin Middle School Pool!

Library Story Time

Join us at the Thief River Falls Public Library for stories, music, and activities each week for all preschool children.

Culinary Arts

Mexican Cooking Class

Join us for a fun and flavorful journey through the rich and vibrant world of Mexican cuisine! In this hands-on cooking class, you’ll explore the essential techniques, ingredients, and flavors that define Mexican cooking-while learning to create a variety of traditional dishes with a modern twist. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this class is designed for all levels of culinary experience.

Fitness and Athletics

Franklin Middle School Weight Training Program

The strength and conditioning program at Franklin Middle School is provided to students who want to maximize their athletics potential. Through proper technique and demonstration, the athletes will be able to excel in a safe, supervised environment. We believe that each athlete needs a foundation in muscular endurance before ‘jumping in’ to heavy weights and compromising correct form. By using periodization training, teaching proper technique and overseeing the athlete, The FMS Weight Training Program gives our students an advantage in developing their potential.

Youth Competitive Swim

Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool without assistance or have passed Red Cross level 4. A swim test will be given on the first day of the program to test swimming ability. This aquatic fitness program emphasizes skill development for youth with a focus on competitive swimming. Sessions are designed around teaching the four competitive swim strokes (free, back, breast, fly), racing starts, and turns. Those interested in refining skills or wanting to keep conditioned for athletics should sign up. This program offers high-impact training to maintain off-season fitness for advanced swimmers.

Learn to Climb

Learn to Climb is an introductory youth climbing program designed to empower kids to discover the sport of climbing with experienced, certified instructors. Learn to Climb is open to all skill levels and experience. Classes take place at the Falcon Outdoor Adventures Climbing Wall inside the UWRF Falcon Center. Register HereAges: 1st-5th gradeLocation: The Falcon Outdoor Adventures Climbing Wall is located at 185 Emogene Nelson Ave., River Falls, WI.

Learn to Skate

It is the goal of the Hunt Arena Skate School (HASS) to provide a quality learning experience in a supportive environment for all participants. Skaters will achieve their personal goals while having fun and learning the appropriate elements established by the Ice Skating Institute. All instructors are qualified instructors and students at UW-River Falls. We offer learn-to-skate classes, freestyle classes (for figure skaters who have passed delta), an annual ice show and pro's ice (for figure skaters taking private lessons).

Skills for Life

Designed to teach participants important skills, Campus Recreation offers a variety of instructional programs open to community members. Ongoing programs include Learn to Skate, Learn to Climb and American Red Cross certifications, while certifications for fitness instructors and outdoor recreation leaders may be offered occasionally.

Supporting Community Education

If you are looking for a way to give back to your community and would like to support this important program, please consider making a donation of any amount.

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