Leisure and Special Interest
Try a new hobby or just learn something new with our wide range of special interest courses!
How to Register
- Register online by selecting "Add to Cart" on the desired course(s) and select "Cart" at the bottom of the page when you are ready to process your registration.
- The “Seats Left” information is updated every hour and when you checkout.
- Other registration options are available.
Courses
- Basic Firearm Safety Training
- Building a Raised Bed Garden
- Contemporary Guitar Skills I
- Contemporary Guitar Skills II
- Growing a Great Lawn
- Mastering Your Digital SLR Camera
- Secrets of Better Photography
Basic Firearm Safety Training
The Basic Pistol Safety Training course is a four-hour program where attendees will gain a familiarity and working knowledge of different types of pistols, along with teaching the importance of safety, legalities, the penal code, and the Safe Act.
The New York State Basic Pistol Safety course must be completed before applying for a New York State pistol permit. Based on the “FIRST Steps” class format from the NRA Basic Pistol Course curriculum, this class contains much more than the NRA class and is designed to give the student more than the minimum required. Certification is available for Albany, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Schoharie counties.
Certification Includes
• Functions of the revolver and semi-automatic pistol
• Firearm safety
• Learning about different types of ammunition
• Learning about ammunition malfunctions
• Learning the fundamentals of shooting
• Learning how to load and unload both a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol
• Proper stance and grip
• Firearm maintenance and cleaning
On-Campus Health Screening Process
Course will be held in Bulmer Telecommunications Center, Meeting Room 1
Les McDermott of The Indoor Gun Range, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 3/23 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
ZSPI-241 600 | 0 seats left | $50 | Section Full Call to be added to wait list |
Building a Raised Bed Garden
Want bigger harvests with less work? Take your gardening to new heights with raised beds! We’ll discuss the advantages raised beds offer, and some options for construction, including specific plans and costs. Our look at a wide variety of raised beds crafted by creative gardeners will inspire your own designs for 2021. Persons needing financial assistance should call CCE; no one shall be denied based on their ability to pay.
This course is taught remotely via Zoom. You will need your Hudson Valley username and password to access the course.
Computer System Access Information
David Chinery of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 3/25 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-242 600 | 9 seats left | $15 |
Contemporary Guitar Skills I
This course is designed for beginners and those who have been playing guitar for one year or less. You will be guided through the basics of guitar, including how to tune the guitar, play chords and solo. Also covered are major, minor and pentatonic scales, basic soloing skills, theory, technique and ensemble skills. Many musical examples will be illustrated from popular songs, including songs that are of special interest to students. You must provide your own acoustic or electric guitar (a small amplifier should be used with electric guitars). Additional materials will be discussed at the first class; anticipated cost is $20.
Gary Cellucci, Instructor
Course will meet in Williams Hall, Room 113
On-Campus Health Screening Process
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, 3/18 - 5/20 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZREC-030 600 | 5 seats left | $119 |
Contemporary Guitar Skills II
This class is a continuation of “Contemporary Guitar Skills I” for the intermediate guitar player with one to four years of playing experience. Topics will include major and minor pentatonic scales, soloing techniques, modes, phrasing, theory, playing with other musicians, chord progressions, warm-up exercises and developing good practice habits.
Gary Cellucci, Instructor
Course will meet in Williams Hall, Room 113
On-Campus Health Screening Process
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays, 3/15 - 5/17 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZREC-031 600 | 8 seats left | $119 |
Growing a Great Lawn
Do you have a lawn you would like to improve, specific problems you need to solve, or just bare soil where a lawn should be? We’ll discuss choosing the right grass for your site, the basics of maintaining a lawn, and possible pests and pitfalls. Options for solving some of the most common lawn challenges, including organic choices, will be explored. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County provides equal program and employment opportunities. Persons needing financial assistance should call CCE; no one shall be denied based on their ability to pay.
This course is taught remotely via Zoom. You will need your Hudson Valley username and password to access the course.
Computer System Access Information
David Chinery of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 4/1 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-243 600 | 15 seats left | $15 |
Mastering Your Digital SLR Camera
Take control of your digital SLR (DSLR) camera. In this course, you will break through the technology barrier and learn how to use your DSLR to take beautiful photos. You will start out by learning about the many features and controls of your DSLR and look at the lenses you need for the kind of photography you enjoy. Next, you will learn about metering, exposure compensation, managing aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Then turn your attention to flash photography, managing camera controls, photo files, and even working in manual mode. With these skills, you will be able to take your photography to the next level.
By the end of this course, you will be a DSLR master and will be able to take the photos you’ve always dreamed of.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online, 2/10 - 4/2 | ZILC-064 600 | 9 seats left | $99 | |
| Online, 3/17 - 5/4 | ZILC-064 601 | 12 seats left | $99 | |
| Online, 4/14 - 6/4 | ZILC-064 602 | 12 seats left | $99 |
Secrets of Better Photography
This online class will teach you how to take outstanding photos. Whether you use a DSLR, a point-and-shoot camera, or your phone for your photography, you will learn how to get the best results from your camera. You can take your camera out of auto mode after learning about lighting, motion, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings. You will also explore common photography topics, including portraiture, children’s photography, pet photography, and digital editing. Each lesson includes exercises and assignments, so you can apply what you learned to your own camera. By the time you finish, you will see a difference in both your photographer’s eye and your photos. This course is taught online through our partnership with Ed2go.
To log into your online classroom, please visit www.ed2go.com/hvcc and select My Classroom. Please note, it may take 24 - 48 hours before your registered course appears in My Classroom.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online, 2/10 - 4/2 | ZILC-160 600 | 12 seats left | $99 | |
| Online, 3/17 - 5/4 | ZILC-160 601 | 12 seats left | $99 | |
| Online, 4/14 - 6/4 | ZILC-160 602 | 12 seats left | $99 |
Additional Resources
Some courses require that students are prepared with information beyond that in the course description - including how to access online courses, parking, CEU details and more.
Here you will find forms for all of our courses and programs, including kids on campus, related to registration, consent and release, scholarship requests and more.
Cancellation and refund policies vary depending on the type and length of course. Find out about course cancellations, requesting a refund and more.
Get in Touch
Community and Professional Education
Fax: (518) 629-8103
Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(excluding college holidays and vacations)