Here is a selection of classes and events, some (but not all) of which are targeted at and/or heavily discounted for seniors.
The Adventist University offers free tuition for students ages 70+ through their School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS). For more information, call 301-891-4092.
Georgetown University’s Senior Citizen Non-Degree Auditor Program offers adults 65 years and older in the DC area the opportunity to audit undergraduate level courses for $50, if space is available. For more information, see http://scs.georgetown.edu/departments/33/senior-citizen-non-degree-auditor-program/home or call Anne Ridder at (202) 687-5706.
Holy Cross Health offers an array of health and wellness programs and classes designed for active adults age 55 and older. Most are free of charge, and virtual because of Covid. Watch their website for the return of in-person classes, some nearby.
Live and Learn Bethesda, right next to the Bethesda Metro stop, offers low-cost classes on a wide range of topics. (As of August 2022, it appears that Live and Learn Bethesda has not resumed offering classes).
Long Branch Senior Center at 8700 Piney Branch Rd. offers a wealth of classes and programs for seniors. Most are FREE. Classes and programs include beginning Spanish, Better Bones, Tai Chi, Board Games, Yoga in Spanish, Ceramics, Senior Fit Exercise, Zumba Gold, and much more. Visit the Center or call them at 240-777-6975 for questions or more details. For more information, including news on a return to in-person programs, click here.For information on free curb-to-curb transportation see:https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/activitiesandprograms/Seniors/Transportation.html
Montgomery College offers a tuition waiver to Maryland residents age 60 and older. Some classes are offered at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. Even more are online. Note that many of the online courses available through Montgomery College are also available FREE of charge through Montgomery County Public Libraries to anyone with a valid Montgomery County Public Library card.
Montgomery County Public Libraries offer a wide array of free 6-week online courses to residents with a valid library card and access to a computer. Here’s a small sampling: Beginning Writer’s Workshop, Web Design, Mystery Writing, Start Your Own Edible Garden, Low-Fat Cooking, Meditation, Drawing, Digital Photography, Write Your Life Story, Introduction to Guitar. There are many, many more. See education.gale.com/l-rock21695 for more information. Montgomery College offers the same courses, but for a fee. See montgomerycountymd.libguides.com/education for more free online courses through Lynda.com and other sites.
The National Park Service offers a lifetime pass (formerly called the "golden passport") for seniors age 62 and over. Annual cost is cost is $80.
Instructions, info, & application are here:https://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior_pass_application.pdf
Politics and Prose has almost daily free author lectures and sponsors trips, classes, and book discussion groups.
Senior Planet offers digital technology courses, workshops and talks geared toward older adults, all of them completely free, and all virtual during the time of COVID-19. Examples of courses are IPad Basics, IPad: Beyond the Basics, Computer Basics, and IPad Basics for Spanish speakers. Single session events include Google Maps, Digital Photography, Twitter, Online Travel Sites, Protecting Your Personal Information Online, Social Media, Ebay and Paypal, and much more. Go to seniorplanet.org to sign up for regular emails with articles, courses, etc.
SOAR (Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation) offers day trips sponsored by the Montgomery County Recreation Department.
University of Maryland Golden ID program allows eligible senior citizens to take advantage of the wide variety of course offerings at College Park. You must be 60 years of age or older, a legal resident of the State of Maryland, and retired (not engaged in gainful employment for more than 20 hours a week).
Washington Area villages offer a wide range of virtual events that are open to members of all area villages. Go to dmvvillageevents.org to see what’s coming and for info on how to register.
Willow Street Yoga offers gentle yoga for seniors, taught by Village of Takoma Park member Carol Mermey. For more information, visit the studio's website at http://www.willowstreetyoga.com/class_descriptions/gentle-yoga-for-seniors/ or contact Carol Mermey at cmermey@gmail.com or 301-565-5253. Financial aid is available upon request.
Takoma Park:
Takoma Park Recreation Department offers many classes, programs , and services for adults, as well as some specifically aimed at residents 55 and older -- computer instruction for beginners, bone builders, line dancing, table tennis, day trips and much more. Many are listed in the Recreation Department guide mailed to all residents, but many additional programs (special trips, summer camps for seniors, and events) are listed only in Forever Young. Look for this newsletter at the Community Center and online at takomaparkmd.gov/news/forever-young-newsletter/.
Takoma Park Arts is a series of events (for ALL ages) featuring monthly poetry readings, documentary film screenings, gallery exhibits, concerts, dance performances, and more.
To stay informed, subscribe to the Takoma Insider and the Takoma Park Arts e-newsletter via this sign-up page for City e-newsletters.