Summer Class Options for KC Seniors Offer Exciting Learning Opportunities
Kansas City, MO – This summer, seniors in Kansas City are proving that learning and connectivity don’t have an age limit. The Seniors Peers Active Renewing Knowledge (SPARK), in partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is offering a range of dynamic classes this quarter billed to ignite inspiration for knowledge, community, and active living amongst seniors.
SPARK: Bringing Senior Minds Together
According to the SPARK President, LeeAnne Hays, the group consists of the “best, best folks.” These individuals are seniors who take pride in continuing their journey as lifelong learners. Under the warmth of this summer, community camaraderie has significantly improved as members now enjoy in-person meetings after a pandemic-induced hiatus.
“It’s so wonderful to come and be here in person,” says Judy Kirk, a SPARK participant. “We always call ourselves seniors. [But] I don’t feel that way, though — I feel young,” she adds, highlighting the positive ambiance that the initiative exudes.
Differentiate and Stimulate: Expansive Class Options
Seniors within the SPARK group have a wide array of class offerings to pick from – from intimate knowledge on recent Supreme Court opinions to insightful literature on America’s favorite pastime, baseball. These classes provide an engaging platform for seniors to explore topics that impact their lives whilst fostering a zest for learning.
Michael Smith, an 81-year old active member, underscored the power of such opportunities especially as people age. He found intrigue in activities like Tai Chi and was more than delighted to explore the practice. It’s the desire for such novel experiences that keep the SPARK community lively and interactive.
Necessary Continuity: The Never-ending Process of Learning
The general sentiment among SPARK members is the necessity to keep the brain active during retirement years. This is well encapsulated in a bold statement by Smith who said, “If you’re not learning you, might as well die.” From that perspective, learning becomes the lifeblood of their existence.
Alongside the classes, SPARK also offers thematic weekly tours, social outings, and engaging games like Mahjong. The door for enrollment for this summer’s classes is still wide open and seniors are encouraged to tap into these offerings for an enriched lifestyle.
The world of retirement, for many seniors, can present an unknown territory; a sudden silence that replaces the clamor of busy working years. But initiatives like SPARK create a lively platform where, along with staying active, these individuals can instigate interest, provoke conversations, generate laughter, and foster a sense of community. This summer in Kansas City, seniors are not only sitting under the shade – they’re also creating and coloring their own horizon, one class at a time.
