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 half hour and when you checkout.
- Other registration options are available.
NOTE: Individuals enrolling in on-campus classes must follow the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for students and should submit the COVID-19 Vaccination Documentation Form. Exemptions to these requirements may be requested based on either religious conviction or health reasons by submitting the appropriate Health Services form.
Courses
- Advanced Paranormal Research
- Mushrooms, Mycelium and More
- New York State Safe Boating
- Photographing Nature with Your Digital Camera
- Photography Suite
- Secrets of Better Photography
- The Power of You Through Horse Partnered Coaching
- Whiskey Appreciation
- Wine Appreciation
Advanced Paranormal Research
The purpose of this course is to provide advanced information and knowledge of the methods, tools, and approach to create a successful, knowledgeable, and professional paranormal team/investigator/researcher.
This course goes in depth into all things necessary to prepare yourself and/or your team to conduct a professional paranormal investigation. Prerequisite to this course is having already taken Paranormal Research 101 with Jack Kenna. Course fee includes a $80 materials fee.
There will be 8 sessions of this course. Course will be held in ADM, Room 103
Tues. 3/21 -5/16, 7:30 -9:30 pm
No class 4/11
Off-site investigation on Sat. 4/22 & Mon. 5/8, extended class time 7 - 11 p.m.
Jack Kenna, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 3/21 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Saturday, 4/22 7:00 pm - 10:55 pm Monday, 5/8 7:00 pm - 10:55 pm |
ZSPI-272 600 | 1 seats left | $159 |
Mushrooms, Mycelium and More
Unravel the mystery and majesty of mushrooms! Discover the possibilities of a mycelium-based future! Learn how to find and identify fungi in the wild! If any of these exclamations interest you, then this is the course for you. Suggested reading: "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms." ISBN 978-0-394-51992-0
Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06
Class on 5/1 will be held at Collar City Mushrooms, Troy
Avery Stempel of Collar City Mushrooms, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays, 4/17 - 5/8 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm |
ZSPI-260 600 | 0 seats left | $35 | Section Full Call to be added to wait list |
New York State Safe Boating
New York State requires certain boat operators to have a boating safety certificate. All individuals born on or after May 1, 1996 are now required to successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a motorboat. Additionally, operators of any age (14 or older) that wish to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) are required to complete a boater education course. For more information, please visit https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/boating/education.aspx
Course will be held in ADM, Room 107
Michael Cannistraci, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Thursdays, 3/28 - 3/30 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
ZSPI-019 600 | 4 seats left | $69 |
Photographing Nature with Your Digital Camera
Nature photography can be a fun, relaxing, and exciting hobby! In this course, you'll learn about the many aspects of outdoor photography as well as how to master your digital camera's controls and features. With the knowledge you gain in this course, you'll be taking exceptional nature photos in no time.
You'll explore composition and lighting issues and find out how to take beautiful photos of landscapes, flowers, trees, and water. Along the way, you'll delve into your camera's shutter speed and aperture controls so that you'll be able to capture the photos you really want. You will discover how to use your computer to process your photos and digitally correct the most common problems. You'll see how your photos can become works of art rather than just snapshots of nature. By the end of this course, you'll have become the nature photographer you always wanted to be!
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, 4/12 - 6/2 | ZILC-162 602 | 15 seats left | $99 |
Photography Suite
The Photography Bundle includes 3 courses:
Discover Digital Photography
Gain the skills you need to take great photos with your digital camera and never miss a memorable moment again. This course is an informative introduction to digital photography, from DSLRs to smart phone cameras.
Mastering Your Digital SLR Camera
Break through the technology barrier and discover how to use your DSLR to take beautiful photos. This course will help you learn about features and controls, proper lenses, metering, exposure, and more to take your photography to the next level.
Photographing People With Your Digital Camera
Become a skilled photographer when it comes to taking beautiful pictures of adults, children, or babies. This course will help you discover the best way to shoot faces, fix common close-up problems, and use digital photo editing techniques to retouch your photos.
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, 4/12 - 6/2 | ZILC-164 602 | 15 seats left | $299 |
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, 4/12 - 6/2 | ZILC-160 602 | 15 seats left | $115 |
The Power of You Through Horse Partnered Coaching
The limit to success today is not lack of knowledge. Knowledge is great, but as humans we sometimes focus more on our fears and limiting beliefs than actually doing the things we should be doing. This is not just another team-building or leadership development workshop. This is an opportunity for high-performing individuals to receive instantaneous, non-judgmental feedback about their biggest challenges and design action plans. While working with horses, students will experience a thought-provoking adventure that helps them find out what energizes them; receive unbiased feedback about how they show up and how others receive it; get honest feedback about what stands in their way to achieving remarkable results; uncover what they’re tolerating; and identify next steps to reach their goals.
Class will be held at 148 Gansevoort Road, Gansevoort
Katie Navarra Bradley, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 4/26 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
ZSPI-261 600 | 7 seats left | $125 |
Whiskey Appreciation
In this course, we will cover the basics of whiskey appreciation, identifying flavors, acidity, and tannins. We will discuss moonshine, bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, Canadian whiskey, rye, Irish whiskey, Scotch blends, single grain whiskies, single malt whisky, and Islay Scotch whisky. There will be tasting and notes involved. The course will teach about how each whiskey is made, and where the best regions are for each type. Other styles and varietals will be explored as well. We’ll discuss the differences between whiskies and regions, i.e. Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, emerging US regions, Ireland, Scotland, and Japan. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.
Course will be held in WIL, Room 113
Carlo DeVito, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 5/4 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, 5/11 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-273 600 | 0 seats left | $69 | Section Full Call to be added to wait list |
Wine Appreciation
In this course, we will cover the basics of wine appreciation. Identifying flavors. Acidity. Tannins. We will discuss white wines: Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc; and Riesling. Red wines: Cabernet Savignon, Pino Noir, and Merlot. There will be a section of ports and sherries. And on sparkling wines. There will be tasting and notes involved. The course will teach about how each wine is made, and where the best regions are for each type. Other styles and varietals will be explored as well. Differences between California, Europe, Southern Hemisphere, and East Coast will be discussed as well. Must be 21 years of age or older to register for this course.
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
Carlo DeVito, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, 4/20 - 4/27 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZSPI-263 600 | 13 seats left | $69 |
Course Categories
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)