Rock Valley College
Center for Learning
in Retirement
Mission Statement
The 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, handicapaccessible classrooms
• Convenient parking
• Computer lab & lending library
CLR Staff
• Full-time Program
Director
• Full-time Administrative
Assistant
Maureen, Tammy, and Susan
• Part-time Administrative
Assistant
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.
CLR
Learn
and
Enjoy!
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 Committee
Year
Sept/Oct—FALL
(45 min. distance;
no more)
December—
WINTER
Holiday party
Bingo Bash
(Harlem
Choraleers)
2008-09
Retirement Party
for Sarah Skaggs
2009-10
Retirement Party
for Marilyn Clouse
Buzz Bash
(Boylan Octaves)
River Hawks
Buzz Bash
(Auburn H.S.
Singers)
2010-11
Pride of Oregon
A Victorian Musical
Afternoon—PEC
2011-12
Playhouse &
Victorian Veranda
B&B
White Pines-2012-13 One More for the
Road
Feb/March—
May/August-SPRING
SUMMER
Theater/Arts
Outdoor
Matinee
Memories
Midway Village
--Pink Panther
White Pines
Neil Diamond
Homestead Farm
program
Metro Centre Tour
From Branson to
Tour of Rotary Gardens
Broadway
--Hoffman House
Buzz Bash
(Harlem
Choraleers)
Nicholas
Conservatory
Cheek Theater—
Gee’s Bend (May)
ISC—Pickleball (July)
LaPaloma (August)
Buzz Bash
(Milestone
Dancers)
Mystery Movie &
luncheon—RVC
ERC/PAC
20th Anniversary Big
Band Event at
Memorial Hall
Trips Committee
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
Pabst Mansion & Pabst Brewery Tour—Lunch at Mader’s German Restaurant
($67/$82)
Chicago Ethnic Neighborhoods (Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown)—Lunch at the
Phoenix Chinese Restaurant ($65/$80)
SanFilippo/Place De La Musique—Lunch at the Onion Pub & Brewery in Lake
Barrington, Ill. ($77/$92)
Milwaukee River Cruise & Lighthouse Tour—Lunch on own in the Old World 3rd
Street District ($57/$72)
Chicago’s Lions, Tigers, and Butterflies--Oh My! (Lincoln Park Zoo)—Lunch on own
($45/$50)
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)
SC Johnson & Kenosha Museums—Lunch at The Boathouse Grill and Pub in
Kenosha, Wis. ($63/$78)
Milwaukee Sacred Spaces—Lunch at the Old Town Serbian Gourmet Restaurant
($63/$78)
April 2013
May 2013
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