Curiosity never retires

Bobbie Reed, President, New Adventures in Learning

Many young people can’t wait to finish school and get on with real life. But after years devoted to working and raising families, many older people can’t wait to get back into the classroom.

That’s certainly the case with members of New Adventures in Learning. They eagerly await each new semester and the exciting new lineup of courses; and they show up on day one to register for the classes they want.

This is because they have discovered the joys of learning for the fun of it. They have found that taking classes with their peers contributes to better mental and physical health and simply makes their lives more interesting.

This desire to learn and share was central to the founding of New Adventures over 15 years ago. A small group of Sun Lakes residents began an association with Chandler-Gilbert Community College to establish a learning in retirement program for mature adults.

In November 1998, a few sample classes were offered free to those in the community who expressed interest. Charter memberships were offered during December 1998, and the first semester of classes with paid memberships started in January 1999.

Since then, New Adventures has steadily increased membership and expanded its curriculum to include a summer session. Offerings have increased to include field trips, discussion groups and computer lab classes in addition to traditional classes.

Its mission, as a lifelong learning institute, remains as it was in 1998 – to provide a variety of interesting and educational opportunities at a reasonable cost to mature adults of the southeast Valley.

Fall classes will begin on October 6. They are held at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Sun Lakes Center on the northeast corner of Alma School and Riggs Roads.

For more information visit the website at www.newadventures.info or call 480-857-5500.