[ron1999]

I'm a single man who just recently turned 40, and I thought it might be fun to learn something new.

Some ideas I had were: learning sign language, taking a cooking class, maybe join a book discussion group, maybe volunteer my home repair skills/automotive repair skills to a battered women's shelter, etc.

So, I did some online research. I couldn't find any place that offered a sign language class. They all want you to get a degree for it. No, thanks.

I couldn't find a cooking class.

I couldn't find a book discussion group.

And, I have no idea how to approach a women's shelter, to offer my skills, without looking like some kind of stalker.

I did find one website called "fun4singles". But, they want you to pay for the priviledge of hanging out with them. No, thanks.

I'm looking for something low key, no large crowds, and something that I can do when I have spare time.

Do we have something like that in Oklahoma?

[Jadeswan]

Have you talked to people in your area about the kinds of things you are looking for? It sounds like you need some networking. Hopefully you can find some of that on here but some in person networking would probably be good as well. For example, my church has a sign language class but it isn't advertised. Dozens of people there have learned sign language and then they all volunteer at a camp for the hearing impaired. There's a cooking supply shop in my town and they offer cooking classes. Again, I think it's something that isn't likely to be online. There are a lot of things in Oklahoma that aren't online. I share your frustration with that but at least there are other ways. Does your area have a little local shopper paper? A lot of times those have activities such as you are describing. You might also look into national organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and see if they have a chapter in your area. I think the kinds of opportunities you are seeking are out there, they are just a little hidden.

[ron1999]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I'm sure those opportunities are out there. I was just wondering how to go about finding them.

It's frustrating.

Funny you mentioned Habitat for Humanity though. I plan on doing that when my daughter graduates high school. It won't be just a part time weekend thing. It will be something I plan on doing all over the country where needed.

[ron1999]

Here's a neat website I found. At least it gives some ideas of the things going on around town.

Oklahoma City Events Calendar, Oklahoma | Wimgo Events

[karibear]

Originally Posted by ron1999

Here's a neat website I found. At least it gives some ideas of the things going on around town.

Oklahoma City Events Calendar, Oklahoma | Wimgo Events

Good, I was going to say you needed to be a bit more specific about what part of OK you lived in. If you like reading, one thing you might consider is being a volunteer reader for OK's library for the blind and physically handicapped. There really should be signing classes somewhere as well, signing is one of the most used languages in the US, I think it used to be third after spoken English and Spanish. No one really has the money for advertising these days, so you have to pick something that interests you and do some research on your own.

[Talisman09]

Check with the community colleges and regional colleges near to your location for their Community Service and Continuing Education programs. Usually a wide variety of classes are offered with low or even no tuition for seniors. Photography, cooking, wood working, art, ballroom or CW dancing... if I'm not mistaken I have even seen sign language classes offered by one college at one time.

BTW, these are meant to be fun classes, not college grind course work. Most can be enrolled in for credit or non-credit and are offered as a service to the community.

[ron1999]

Originally Posted by karibear

No one really has the money for advertising these days, so you have to pick something that interests you and do some research on your own.

That's what I am doing.

[ron1999]

Originally Posted by Talisman09

Check with the community colleges and regional colleges near to your location for their Community Service and Continuing Education programs. Usually a wide variety of classes are offered with low or even no tuition for seniors. Photography, cooking, wood working, art, ballroom or CW dancing... if I'm not mistaken I have even seen sign language classes offered by one college at one time.

BTW, these are meant to be fun classes, not college grind course work. Most can be enrolled in for credit or non-credit and are offered as a service to the community.

Does being 40 make me a senior?

As for the community college idea I did check the OCCC website. I didn't see any ASL classes being offered that didn't require getting a degree.

I'm going to keep checking the WIMGO site that I found.

[karibear]

Originally Posted by ron1999

Does being 40 make me a senior?

As for the community college idea I did check the OCCC website. I didn't see any ASL classes being offered that didn't require getting a degree.

I'm going to keep checking the WIMGO site that I found.

Did you try calling OCCC to ask about classes in signing? Generally, most classes offered for credit may also be audited. Just because a class may be required for a degree, it doesn't mean one has to be working toward a degree to take one.

[prerunner1982]

I hear women like a man that can cook...... might help you out in the long run.