Enrichment Programs for Youth and Adults
Adult Course Description
Our programs for adults vary widely, but have a strong emphasis on the arts, self-development, self-awareness, and physical, mental and emotional strength. Check our Courses & Registration page often - we are regularly adding new courses!
Youth Course Description
We are excited about meeting our next round of afterschoolers and homeschoolers for classes. Classes are held Friday mornings from 9-noon and Friday evenings 5-8PM. Each four-class session covers different, but inter-related, topics as we focus on different areas of growth, keeping our classes fun, varied, and extremely interactive. Each class offers an art, movement and life skills component. Some of our typical activities include:
- Art Activities: Acrylic Painting, Watercolor Painting, Printmaking, Expressive Drawing, Mixed Media, Nature Art, Fiber Arts, 3D Arts
- Movement Activities: Yoga, Free-Style Dance, Outdoor Activities such as basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, etc.
- Life Skills Activities: Communication skills, teamwork skills, leadership skills, use of simple tools (hammers, screwdrivers, etc.), change a tire, nutrition, creating a simple menu, food preparation, money awareness, sewing, daily planning, manners, and gardening
Art-full Expressions
Our Art classes range from creative expression using paper, canvas, paint, clay, charcoal and more to the development of poems, short stories, and other creative modalities. Story-telling and role-playing are a common part of our package. Students interact with each other in new ways, helping them find and develop skills they never had. Our lead Art Therapy teacher, Rachael Maly, has worked with adolescents and teens in the CCISD school systems for the last 19 years (as of 2020).
Life Skills Training & Successful Outcomes
Making good choices can be a pretty rocky climb for all of us, but it can be an especially acute one for young people. Research shows that life skills training can favorably impact the lack of critical decision-making skills of young people. Depression, acting out, apathy, low achievement, and/or drug and alcohol use in teens and young adults can be caused by feelings of not having control or power over their lives, and/or as a result of poor decision-making or coping skills. Our evidence-based life skills programs have been shown to successfully work across a wide spectrum of needs encountered by youth heading into early adulthood. Our well-rounded program includes a cognitive component, self improvement component, a decision-making component, an anxiety-coping component and a social skills training component. Dr. Lola Scarborough and Rachael Maly co-lead these teachings.
Movement and Stillness
Our Movement and Stillness programs allow students to really get in touch with their bodies, their breath, and their health. Movement modalities such as hula-hoop, free-style dance, fitness exercises, frisbee, and simple yoga postures take students out of their heads and technology and into the physical and expressive realms of their very own dynamic and ever-changing physical selves. Relaxation and focusing techniques are also key aspects of our Movement program, teaching students how to relax and focus, finding their still-points. These practices result in a much better quality of life and reduced stress and anxiety. Our lead teacher is Dr. Lola Scarborough, PhD., an accredited Yoga & Fitness instructor.