The pending warmer weather is inching closer, as is the William Way LGBT Community Center’s spring Way Gay U semester, which will allow out students to learn in the region’s natural environs.
The center will host an open house to preview its slate of courses from 5:30-8 p.m. March 16 at 1315 Spruce St.
Among the 17 classes in the spring semester is a new “eco” series, in which students can explore the region’s natural offerings.
The five tours, led by naturalists Maryann Helferty and Susan Haidar, will take students to a wild-flower preserve, on a paddleboat tour down the Rancocas River and on a tubing excursion down the Delaware.
Helferty said the excursions are a good way for participants to learn about nature in a hands-on environment with ample opportunity for social interaction.
“I’ve always considered LGBT people to be very spiritual and very connected to nature, and I think that’s really a big part of our community, and it’s sometimes hard to keep alive in an urban setting,” she said.
The courses are meant to be intergenerational and bring a mixture of men and women, and Helferty said those without any outdoor expertise are welcomed.
“You won’t have to worry about driving, we’ll provide hot drinks and refreshments, and we’re experienced outdoors leaders so we’ll have First Aid and maps. All you have to do is show up and enjoy.”
No experience is necessary for a swing-dance class offered by center archivist Bob Skiba.
Skiba, who owns his own dance company, Mixed Pickles Vintage Dance, has been teaching ballroom and swing dance at Abington Art Center for 10 years.
“Swing is the most fun you can have on the dance floor. And it’s a type of dancing where you don’t need a partner because you’re switching off so much,” he said.
On April 16, Skiba will also conduct his historical walking tour of the Gayborhood again.
Although this semester brings a new commitment to getting active outdoors, Way Gay U will also offer a bevy of courses to help participants discover their own talents, including cabaret performance and fiction and memoir writing, while stress-relief will be the focus of Buddhism and yoga classes.
Way Gay U will also offer practical lessons, such as wellness and recovery, best practices in home-buying and designing a commitment ceremony and introductions to PowerPoint and American Sign Language.
Instructors will meet and greet with guests at the free open house next week, which will feature hot dogs, pretzels and beer.
For more information or to register for Way Gay U, visit www.waygay.org or call 215-732-2220.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].