Rock Valley College

Center for Learning in Retirement

Mission StatementThe Center for Learning in Retirement provides quality lifelong learning for members 50 years and older through diverse educational, cultural, and social opportunities.

History• Started in 1993 with

five course offerings• Dream and a vision of

the college• Community support• Partnership with

Elderhostel Institute Network

Facilities• RVC Bell School Road Center

– corner of Springbrook and Bell School Roads

• CLR office• First floor, handicap-

accessible classrooms• Convenient parking• Computer lab & lending library

CLR Staff• Full-time Program

Director

• Full-time Administrative Assistant

• Part-time Administrative Assistant

Maureen, Tammy, and Susan

Membership

• Currently 2,100+ members

• Dues--$25 per year

• Scholarships Available

• Diversity

Membership Benefits

• Quarterly newsletters

• 350 classes annually

• Spring/Summer/Fall catalogs

• Free community classes

•Discounts on trips/socials

Curriculum

• Short-term courses– No tests, no grades– No previous formal

education required

• Peer instructors

• Low class fees ($10-$40 per class)

Trips• Monthly day trips

• Multiple-day trips

• Extended travel– foreign/domestic

• Motor coach comfort

Socials

• Special events• Social gatherings• Interesting outings• Intergenerational activities• Meals/refreshments• Scheduled throughout the year

Special Interest Groups

(SIGS)•Word Weavers•Bridge•Genealogy•Book Discussion•Walking Group•Artists’ Studio Group•iPad Users’ Group

Golden Eagles Fitness Programs

• Partnership with RVC Fitness, Wellness & Sport staff

• Golden Eagles – Active fitness program– Three times per week

• Golden Eagles LITE– Beginner fitness program– Two times per week

• Physical Education Center--RVC campus

CLR Annual Meeting

Curriculum Categories

• Arts/Crafts• Community

Awareness(free classes)

• Computers• Health/

Exercise

• History• Humanities• Religion• Science/Nature• Social Sciences• Special

Interests• Travel

Most Popular Offerings• Current Events (What in the World is Going

On?, Great Decisions)• History Classes (Civil War, Biographies)

• Technology Courses (Computers, iPod/iPad, Cameras)

• Art Classes (Art Appreciation, Nimble Fingers, Water Colors, Sketching, Oil Painting)

• Local Tours w/Presentation (museums, walking tours, “behind-the-scenes”)

How We Operate• Instructors (current semester)

– 47% peers– 45% community– 8% RVC faculty

• Class Cancellations/Add-ons

• Class Size—5 to 90

• Locations—32 offsite facilities

Community Partnerships

•Classes at various off-site locations

• Class leaders

• Tours

• RSVP

Volunteer Opportunities

• Class leaders

• Facilitators

• Office/Computer assistants

• Advisory Committee

• Planning committees

Center for Learning in Retirement

• Something for EVERYONE!

• Opportunity to meet new people and connect with others who have the same interests as you.

Learn

and

Enjoy!

CLR

Curriculum Categories

• Arts/Crafts—10%• Community

Awareness—3%(free classes)

• Computers—5%• Health/

Exercise—13%

• History—11%• Humanities—10%• Religion—5%• Science/Nature—8%• Social Sciences—10%• Special Interests—23%• Travel—2%

Social CommitteeYear Sept/Oct—FALL

(45 min. distance; no more)

December—WINTER

Holiday party

Feb/March—SPRING

Theater/Arts

May/August--SUMMEROutdoor

2008-09Retirement Party for Sarah Skaggs

Bingo Bash(Harlem

Choraleers)

Matinee Memories

--Pink PantherMidway Village

2009-10Retirement Party

for Marilyn ClouseBuzz Bash

(Boylan Octaves)

White PinesNeil Diamond

programHomestead Farm

2010-11River Hawks

Pride of Oregon

Buzz Bash(Auburn H.S.

Singers)

Metro Centre Tour

From Branson to Broadway

--Hoffman House

Tour of Rotary Gardens

2011-12

A Victorian Musical Afternoon—PEC

Playhouse & Victorian Veranda

B & B

Buzz Bash(Harlem

Choraleers)

Nicholas Conservatory 

Cheek Theater—Gee’s Bend (May)

ISC—Pickleball (July)LaPaloma (August)

2012-13White Pines--

One More for the Road

Buzz Bash(Milestone Dancers)

Mystery Movie & luncheon—RVC

ERC/PAC

20th Anniversary Big Band Event at Memorial Hall

Trips CommitteeMarch 2012

Pabst Mansion & Pabst Brewery Tour—Lunch at Mader’s German Restaurant ($67/$82)

April 2012Chicago Ethnic Neighborhoods (Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown)—Lunch at the Phoenix Chinese Restaurant ($65/$80)

May 2012SanFilippo/Place De La Musique—Lunch at the Onion Pub & Brewery in Lake Barrington, Ill. ($77/$92)

June 2012Milwaukee River Cruise & Lighthouse Tour—Lunch on own in the Old World 3 rd Street District ($57/$72)

July 2012Chicago’s Lions, Tigers, and Butterflies--Oh My! (Lincoln Park Zoo)—Lunch on own ($45/$50)

August 2012 Millennium Park Concert—Dinner on your own ($30/$45)

September 2012 Dells Cruise & Crane Foundation—Lunch at River Edge Restaurant ($78/$93)

October 2012 Dubuque: River Museum & Lunch Cruise/Stone Cliff Winery ($84/$99)

November 2012 “Miracle of 34th Street—the Musical!”—Lunch & Performance ($80/$95)

December 2012 “Christmas in the Country” (Lake Geneva)—Lunch & musical revue ($95/$110)

January 2013 Exploring Chicago-Area Museums—Lunch on your own in College Center ($37/$52)

February 2013 Art Institute of Chicago—Lunch on your own ($50/$65)

March 2013 Milwaukee Symphony Concert with Prelude & Lunch ($85/$100)

April 2013SC Johnson & Kenosha Museums—Lunch at The Boathouse Grill and Pub in Kenosha, Wis. ($63/$78)

May 2013Milwaukee Sacred Spaces—Lunch at the Old Town Serbian Gourmet Restaurant ($63/$78)

Overnight Trips

• Door County Get-Away (Sept. 19-21, 2012)

– Door County Maritime Museum– Door Peninsula Winery– Washington Island (church, museum, beach)– Cana and Old Bailey’s Lighthouses

• Oshkosh Get-Away (June 20-21, 2013)

– Trinity Episcopal Church– Oshkosh Public Museum– Paine Art Center & Gardens

Special Projects Committee

• Diversity (2008 to present)• Special Interest Groups • Extended Travel

– 2010-11—England, Scotland, & Wales ($2,990)• September 2011

– 2012-13—Italy ($4,035)• April 2013

• Assist with 20th Anniversary celebration