Education for Older Adults

SCOSA offers educational, socialization, and recreation programs for older adults (60 and over) that encourage vitality through physical, social, mental and spiritual engagement.

SCOSA programs are partially funded under Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, through grants from the Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services and the Cape May County Department of Aging And Disability Services. Each funding source requires us to collect basic demographic information from our participants. The NJ Division of Aging Services also compels us to inform participants about their Privacy and Non-Discrimination policies, available for review by Clicking Here.

SCOSA gladly accepts voluntary donations. Such donations are not a fee and are not required. Donations are used to develop and operate future programs. To donate directly to SCOSA please make checks payable to SCOSA and send them to: SCOSA/SOBL, Stockton University, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205-9441. Please indicate if you need your donation to potentially be tax deductible. If so, we will put it into one of our Foundation funds; if not, we will deposit into a revenue account that directly supports our operating expenses.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) Celebrates 50 Years of Service

Since 1973, Area Agencies on Aging has provided a platform of services that helps older adults, and individuals with disabilities age well in their homes and communities. The agency provides support for older adults by providing meals, health and wellness programs, transportation, social engagement activities, health insurance, counseling, and other services. The USAging video (https://youtu.be/_iemam2c6tY) (takes less than two-minutes to watch), which highlights the work of the department and AAA throughout the country. More information about AAA is found at www.usaging.org.

Upcoming Older Adult Education, Socialization and Recreation Events

* We also encourage you to visit our Stockton Institute for Lifelong Learning listing by Clicking Here.

Players and Playwrights Meeting

January 20 - December 21

Players and Playwrights Meeting Third Saturdays, 1/20- 12/21/2024, 1-4pm, John F Scarpa Academic Center, Room 311 | Players and Playwrights (P&P) is a collective of playwrights and readers (aka players) who meet monthly to read original plays. Performances are organized several times a year. Interested players and playwrights are invited to attend a meeting once before committing to join.

Knit & Crochet: Fall Session 1

September 09 - October 28

Knit & Crochet: Fall Session 1 Mondays, 9/9-10/28/2024, 9-11am, Stockton at Manahawkin, 712 E Bay Ave. | This eight-week class will teach you to knit and/ or crochet like you are a pro! You will learn to read patterns and make something for yourself, or as a gift. Supply list: 2 balls of light-colored yarn, Weight 4 Knitting needles size 10 OR Crochet Hook size H; $60 for 8 lessons 

One Stroke Painting: Fall Session 1

September 09 - October 28

One Stroke Painting: Fall Session 1 Mondays, 9/9- 10/28/2024, 11am-1pm, Stockton at Manahawkin, 712 E Bay Ave.| One Stroke Painting is sweeping the decorative painting world. It's fun!  It's easy!  It's quick!  One Stroke is a multi-loading style of acrylic decorative painting that is very friendly to novice painters. It is equally usable on metal, plaster, glass, wood, fabric and ceramic surfaces.  You will be excited too, when you find out for yourself how easy One Stroke is. Imagine, blending, shading, and highlighting all in One Stroke!  Classes teach you to freehand various strokes and to build your own unique pattern. Supplies needed: Apron, Set of multicolor acrylic paints, wax paper, paper plate, container for water, Book of watercolor paper, set of Donna Dewberry brushes; $60 for 8 lessons 

Discover the Secrets of the Blue Zones

September 10 - December 17

Discover the Secrets of the Blue Zones Tuesdays, September 10-December 17, 11a.m.- Noon, Online via Zoom | Join Peppy and Gina as we creatively delve into Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, a Netflix documentary that chronicles the work of longevity researcher Dan Buettner. Buettner's documentary takes us on a journey to re-visit each of the original Blue Zones and be immersed in their culture and lifestyles. We will see how the Blue Zones research can be applied to create communities across the United States. Buettner's Blue Zones Project has cracked the secret code for longevity and transformed health outcomes for centenarians. As Dan Buettner said, "The only thing better than looking good as you age, is feeling good as you age."

Adult Ballet: Fall Session 1 

September 11 - October 30

Adult Ballet: Fall Session 1 Wednesdays, 9/11- 10/30/2024, 10-11:00 am , Stockton at Manahawkin,712 E Bay Ave. | Join Lois Allen of Lois Allen's School of Dance to learn ballet! $60 for 8 lessons 

Chair Yoga: Fall Session 1

September 11 - November 06

Chair Yoga: Fall Session 1 held on Wednesdays and 9/11- 11/6/2024, Stockton at Manahawkin, 712 E Bay Ave. | Join Lois for Chair Yoga, for modified poses that can be done while seated, which makes the poses accessible to more people. $60 for 8 lessons 

Adult Tap Dance: Fall Session 1

September 13 - November 01

Adult Tap Dance: Fall Session 1 Fridays, 9/13- 11/1/2024, 10-11am, Stockton at Manahawkin,712 E Bay Ave. | Join Lois Allen of Lois Allen's School of Dance to learn adult tap dancing, an exciting and social activity. $60 for 8 lessons 

Adult Belly Dance: Fall Session 1 

September 13 - November 01

Adult Belly Dance: Fall Session 1  Fridays, 9/13- 11/1/2024,11am-12pm, Stockton at Manahawkin,712 E Bay Ave. | Join Lois Allen of Lois Allen's School of Dance to learn belly dancing! $60 for 8 lessons 

Chair Yoga: Fall Session 1

September 13 - November 01

Chair Yoga: Fall Session 1 held on Fridays 9/13- 11/1/2024, Stockton at Manahawkin, 712 E Bay Ave. | Join Lois for Chair Yoga, for modified poses that can be done while seated, which makes the poses accessible to more people. $60 for 8 lessons 

SILL: Artificial Intelligence and You: What AI Will Mean for Your Future

October 04 - 25

SILL: Artificial Intelligence and You: What AI Will Mean for Your Future Fridays, 10/ 4, 11,18, 25/ 2024, 10-11am, Stockton at Galloway, Room F210 | By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of AI, its current uses, and its future potential. You'll feel more confident navigating the evolving landscape of AI and better equipped to make informed decisions about how you interact with these technologies in your own life. We will explore the connection between society, technology and science, both practical and ethical considerations.$45, Free for those age 60 + who live in Atlantic County.

Tour of Poetry

October 05 - December 14

Tour of Poetry Saturdays, October 5, November 9, December 14, 12-2pm, Otto Bruyns Public Library of Northfield | During each session of this monthly program, an established poet will read original work, present an engaging lecture, and encourage participants to write & share something of their own. Participants will have an opportunity to have their poetry included in the Tour of Poetry Anthology.

SILL: Women in Aviation during WWII

October 08 - 29

SILL: Women in Aviation during WWII Tuesdays, 10/8, 15, 22, 29/2024, 12-1pm, Stockton Hammonton, Room 201 | During World War II, home front shortages created a pressing need for skilled workers. Women entered the field of aviation in areas previously closed to them. They worked as aeronautical engineers, aviator's mates, machinists, and more. Women also joined the WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots), flying as civilian pilots working with the military. This course will focus on the essential work women did in the field of aviation during WWII. $45, Free for those age 60 + who live in Atlantic County.

Knit & Crochet

November 04 - December 09

Knit & Crochet: Mondays, 11/4-12/09/2024, 9-11am, Stockton at Manahawkin, 712 E Bay Ave. This six-week class will teach you to knit and/ or crochet like you are a pro! You will learn to read patterns and make something for yourself, or as a gift. Supply list: 2 balls of light colored yarn, Weight 4 Knitting needles size 10 OR Crochet Hook size H. The class fee is $45.

One Stroke Painting

November 04 - December 09

One Stroke Painting: Mondays, 11/4 - 12/09/2024, 11am-1pm, Stockton at Manahawkin, 712 E Bay Ave.| One Stroke Painting is sweeping the decorative painting world. It's fun! It's easy! It's quick! One Stroke is a multi-loading style of acrylic decorative painting that is very friendly to novice painters. It is equally usable on metal, plaster, glass, wood, fabric and ceramic surfaces. Imagine, blending, shading, and highlighting all in One Stroke! Classes teach you to freehand various strokes and to build your own unique pattern. Supplies needed: Apron, Set of multicolor acrylic paints, wax paper, paper plate, container for water, Book of watercolor paper, set of Donna Dewberry brushes. The class fee is $45.

Time to Tell Memoir Writing

November 04

Monday, November 4, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Stockton at Manahawkin, 712 E Bay Ave.| Personalized instruction with monthly meetings to help you chronicle the stories of your life. Creative writing styles, including poetry and photographs, can also be used to tell your story.

SCOSA Art Camp

November 06

Thursday, November 6, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Stockton Galloway Campus SCOSA office F-227. | Join us as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Family History Month with a photography and fiber based project. You will need to be able to email a black and white family photograph in order to complete the project. 10 seats available.

SILL: Telling Your Health Story: Narrative-Based Medicine

November 06 - 20

SILL: Telling Your Health Story: Narrative-Based Medicine, 11/6, 13, 20/2024, 3-4pm, Online via Zoom | Stories of health, stories of overcoming illness, and stories of managing illness or disease are some of the most powerful and precious stories that we weave. Narrative-Based Medicine uses story us to make sense of our experiences with illness. This series will introduce you to the core concepts of narrative-based medicine and allow you to craft your own health stories. Tuition for this three-session SILL course ONLY is $35 due to only being three sessions. Courses are FREE for residents 60 years old or older, who live in Atlantic County. 

SO Good! The Neil Diamond Experience

November 08

Friday, November 8, 7:30 p.m., Stockton Performing Arts Center. | This is a show unlike any tribute you have ever seen or heard before. As a Broadway, television, and motion picture actor for over 35 years, Robert Neary creates a one of a kind, cut above the rest, production. He talks about the songs and tells stories behind them. You will swear you are watching the master himself, as he and the band perform 20 of Neil Diamond's greatest hits. Songs like "Cherry Cherry," "I Am, I Said," "I'm a Believer," "Solitary Man," "Holly Holy," "Coming to America," "Sweet Caroline," and so many more. So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience is guaranteed to leave you speechless! SCOSA has partnered with the PAC to offer a very limited number of SCOSA sponsored tickets to the older adult community (age 60+), online registration before 11/4/2024 required.

Chair Yoga

November 08 - December 20

Chair Yoga: Fridays 11/08- 12/20/2024, Stockton at Manahawkin, 712 E Bay Ave. | Join Lois for Chair Yoga, for modified poses that can be done while seated, which makes the poses accessible to more people. The class fee is $45.

Adult Tap Dance

November 08 - December 20

Adult Tap Dance: Fridays, 11/8 - 12/20/2024,10-11am, Stockton at Manahawkin,712 E Bay Ave.| Join Lois Allen of Lois Allen's School of Dance to learn adult tap dancing, an exciting and social activity. The class fee is $45.

Adult Belly Dance

November 08 - December 20

Adult Belly Dance: Fridays, 11/08- 12/20/2024,11am-12pm, Stockton at Manahawkin,712 E Bay Ave.| Join Lois Allen of Lois Allen's School of Dance to learn belly dancing! The class fee is $45.

Glove Basket

November 09

Saturday, November 9, 10 a.m.- noon, Swan Bay Folk Art Center, 300 Sooys Landing, Port Republic. | In this workshop students will create a very functional basket for winter glove storage. A method of weaving a decorative band will be explored. Materials fee is $30. To register, call Niki 609-652-0366.

Dear Esther by Richard Rashke

November 19

Tuesday, November 19, 10:30 a.m., Stockton Performing Arts Center.| "Dear Esther" is based on the true story of Esther Terner Raab, a Holocaust survivor who escaped from Sobibor, a Nazi death camp in eastern Poland, and the site of a rebellion by the death camp workers against their Nazi captors. Created by the author as a result of extensive interviews with Esther and incorporating real letters written to Esther by students who heard her speak, "Dear Esther," chronicles the main character's personal journey into understanding her past. Through interaction with her own conscience and the reaction of students as written in personal letters to her, Esther confronts many of the themes that define this devastating period in world history. SCOSA has partnered with the PAC to offer a very limited number of SCOSA sponsored tickets to the older adult community (age 60+).

SCOSA Senior Spotlight: Peppy Margolis: Why Discuss Kristallnacht?

November 19

SCOSA Senior Spotlight: Peppy Margolis: Why Discuss Kristallnacht? Tuesday, November 19, 12:30pm, Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, Room L 112, 101 Vera King Farris Dr, Galloway | Join SCOSA and the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center in honoring Peppy's work in Holocaust Education by attending her lecture Why Discuss Kristallnacht? Kristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass, also called the November Pogrom, was an event against Jews carried out by the Nazi Party with participation from the Hitler Youth and German civilians throughout Nazi Germany on November 9 -10, 1938. Learning about the brutal acts of Kristallnacht helps make vital connections between the past and the present. Lunch will be served at 12:30pm, registration required by 11/4.