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. Each semester we offer a rich and varied set of new classes.
Here are just some of our recent classes:
Stories of American Revolutionary Women – Bonnie Fite
Senior Olympics – Karen Jarzynka-Hernandez
History of Reston Predecessors, Before 1964 – Alex Campbell, Executive Director Reston Museum
Common and Uncommon Birds of North America – Jerry Koons, Bird Photographer
The Widow Spy – Marti Peterson
Sorting Fact From Fiction – Larry Lipman
Whale Watching In Baja – Paul Wormeli
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 week by week.
Winter 2023 Semester
Registration will run from Jan 3 through Jan 24, 2023.
Following is the schedule and offerings for the Winter 2023 semester (or download Winter 2023 AIL Schedule).
Classes will be held on Thursdays: Jan 26 – Mar 16, 9:00am – 12:00pm.
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)260-9568 to register and pay using your credit card, or (3) by check, download AIL Registration Form Winter 2023 , print it, complete it, and send it with your $55 check made out to “SCNOVA” to our office (SCNOVA, 541 Marshall Rd SW, Vienna VA, 22180).
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 (September 22-November 10, 2022) 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 26 “Deep Vein Thrombosis” – Scott Schroth
- Feb 2 “Understanding Coffee and Why I started Caffee Amour” – Michael Amouri
- Feb 9 “Benefits of Acupuncture” – Chad Egresi, VA University of Integrated Medicine
- Feb 16 “How Global Warming affects You, your Kids and your Grandkids” – George Kralovec
- Feb 23 “Reversing Inflammation and Autoimmune Symptoms” – Laura Morrow
- Mar 2 “Irish Shenanigans, Our Adventure in Ireland” – Pat Williams and Eileen Curtis
- Mar 9 “The Tin Can Crucible – Tale of Sorcery in Highlands of Papa New Guinea” – Chris Davenport
- Mar 16 “How Close did the Russians Actually Get to Landing a Man on the Moon” – Chuck Anderson
11:00-11:55 Arts, Entertainment & Travel
- Jan 26 “Three Mile island Disaster and Why It Matters Today” – Jack Devine
- Feb 2 “The Real Truth about Crime” – Paul Wormeli
- Feb 9 “World Hunger Crisis” – Joyce Turk
- Feb 16 “Happier Aging” – Samantha Apoh
- Feb 23 “Five Years in Hell, The Story of Operation Checkmate” – Tom Black
- Mar 2 “The Nation’s Capitol and its Environmental Responsibilities” – Adam Humphreys
- Mar 9 “Adventures in Africa” – Phil Pifer
- Mar 16 “The Celtic Singers and Sing Along Songs” – Margaret Davenport
12:00pm Blood Pressure & Fall Prevention Screening by Casey Tarr
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.