What we like best about the AIL Semester Series is the friendly people. We enjoy their company each week. It’s also an excellent educational experience, and the presenters are world-class experts.
—AIL Semester Participant
What Is the AIL Semester Series?
Classes, workshops, seminars, and discussion groups provide educational experiences covering a wide range of interests. T’ai chi, world affairs and a health series are ongoing classes. Previous topics have included Literature, History, Music, Creative Arts/Crafts, Travel, Financial and Security Issues, Spirituality, and Computer Skills. Our first AIL semester was conducted in the fall of 1998 and has now grown to over 125 participants each semester.
Who Can Join?
The Adventures in Learning (AIL) Semester Series offers adults age 50 or older a weekly program that combines a diversity of content with the opportunity to engage with their peers. Participants are welcome to attend one class or stay all day. We normally hold three 8-week semesters each year. Each semester has a somewhat different curriculum, and many participants sign up each semester.
One semester tuition payment entitles you to attend any or all classes during the semester. Create your own schedule – you may stay all day or attend only one class, and you can vary your week by week.
Following is the schedule and offerings for the Winter 2022 semester (or download AIL Schedule Winter 2022):
Winter 2022 Semester
Thursdays, Jan 27 2022 – Mar 17, 9:00 – 2:00.
Tuition for the 8-week series is $55 – one payment allows you to attend any number of the sessions for the entire semester. Register for the semester in any of the following ways: (1) Pay securely online by buying a ticket at the bottom of this page, (2) call the office (703) 281-0601) to register using your credit card, or (3) by check, first download AIL Winter 2022 Registration, print it, complete it and send it with your check to the office.
Each session will be hybrid – held both in person and virtually on Zoom. Locations are:
(1) Unitarian Universalist Church (2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 22124). Attendees must show proof of vaccination and wear a mask.
(2) By Zoom: once registered and payment received, registrants will receive a Zoom link by email. If you do not receive a link, please contact the office at 703.281.0601.
Classes will be held every Thursday (Jan 27-Mar 17) as follows. Please check the SCNOVA Events Calendar for any time changes. The planned Thursday schedule is:
9:00-9:45 Ta’i Chi (Rob Gehring). This ancient art promotes body flexibility, strength, and balance. The class is ongoing and welcomes newcomers at any time. Additional class is offered weekly at Emmanuel Lutheran Church each Monday from 9:00–9:45. Your semester payment entitles you to attend the Monday and Thursday classes. Also, T’ai Chi is available year-round except during holidays and August. Click here for more information.
10:00-10:45 Health and Wellness (Casey Tarr).
• Jan 27 “Living Well with Parkinson’s” – (Sonia Gow/INOVA)
• Feb 3 “Hearing Loss and Hearing Assistance Technology” – (Debbie Jone/NVRC)
• Feb 10 “Overview of Aging and Adult Services at Fairfax Department of Family Services” – (Linda Hernandez-Giblin/Fairfax County)
• Feb 17 “The Highs and Lows of Hypertension” – (Scott Schroth/MD)
• Feb 24 “How to Take Control of Your Health and Wellness through Mindfulness Practice” – (Martha Brettschneider/Damselwings)
• Mar 3 “Falls and Balance” – (Katie England/DPT & LSVT Fox Rehab)
• Mar 10 “The Key to Aging in Place – Home Safety” – (Carmen Hendricks/Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Tru Blue House Care)
• Mar 17 “Cultivating our Creative Selves: Metaphors and Analogies for Sense and Meaning-Making – (Rick Wormeli/Educator)
11:00-11:55 Arts, Entertainment & Travel
• Jan 27 “Living Well with Parkinson’s” – (Sonia Gow/INOVA)
• Feb 3 “Andy Goldsworthy: Art in Nature” – (Betsy Solomon)
• Feb 10 “Parent Involvement in Public Schools” – (Arnold Fege/Director, Public Education Network)
• Feb 17 “Sails of the South Pacific” – (Cici Williamson)
• Feb 24 “Native Plants in VA and the Impact on the Watershed” – (Rick Hartley)
• Mar 3 “Combating Illegal Activities in East Africa” – (Egan O’Reilly)
• Mar 10 “The Triple Agent – Al Qaeda Mole Who Infiltrated the CIA – (Joby Warrick/Washington Post Investigative Reporter)
• Mar 17 “Around the World in 55 Minutes” – (Hugo Keesing/Musicologist)
12:00-1:00 Lunch Break (on your own)
1:00-2:00 World Affairs: Past & Present
Jan 27 “Photographers of Movers, Shakers and History-Makers: Recorders of Famous Faces” – (Harold Brown, Bachrach Photography)
• Feb 3 “I would have done it for Free: Adventures in International and Domestic Law Enforcement” – (John & Caron Martinez)
Feb 10 “Fungi, Aphids and Stink Bugs – Oh No! – Range of Invasive Species in NOVA and Environmental/Economic Impact – (Scott Schroth)
• Feb 17 “Mardi Gras Lunch at Vienna Community Center” – NO CLASS – This Lunch requires a separate Registration & fee. Please go to our Event Calendar here for more information and to register.
• Feb 24 “Thirty one years service in the British Royal Navy” – (Captain Jamieson Stride)
• Mar 3 “The Widow Spy – True Account of Cold War spy Operation in Moscow” – (Martha Peterson/Author)
• Mar 10 “Federally Impacted Schools” – (John Forkenbrock/Ret’d Executive Director, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools)
• Mar 17 “The Eastern Question, Great Game, and Modern Hot Wars: Policy Lessons and Statecraft Implications for US Relations with Russia, Turkey and Iran” – (Paula Doyle)
Inclement weather policy: If Fairfax County Schools are CLOSED due to bad weather, our classes for that day are cancelled. If Fairfax County Schools are on a TWO HOUR delay, we will still have classes but starting at 10:00 instead of 9:00.