Discover and Celebrate the Bliss of Retirement Education Opportunities in the Asheville Area

UNCA's Creative Retirement Programs Bring a Whole New Perspective to Retirement-Age People

North Carolina for Creative Retirement
"... an integral part of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement (NCCCR) has the threefold purpose of promoting lifelong learning, leadership, and community service opportunities for retirement-aged individuals... NCCCR's long-range goal is to encourage the development of an age-integrated society. In response to the aging of America, NCCCR serves as a laboratory for exploring creative and productive roles for a new generation of retirement-aged people, many of whom will blend education with post-retirement careers... Our year round programs, which include intergenerational opportunities, serve people in the greater Asheville area and periodic workshops, seminars and retreats attract individuals from across the nation..."

Creative Retirement Exploration Weekend
"... seventeenth successive year that the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement has offered a unique learning vacation for those considering relocating in retirement--whether to western North Carolina or elsewhere:

* What does the community have to offer me?
* How do I assess whether living in a new place will be as good as visiting there?
* Will I fit in?
* What should I be doing right now to make my retirement what I want it to be when I get there?
* What lifestyle changes should I consider as I approach retirement?
* What new opportunities can I find in a new community?

".... The Retirement Weekend, usually attended by 150 people from more than 26 states, is a great opportunity to learn from others who are addressing similar issues.

Leadership Asheville Seniors (LAS)
"... The North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement's Leadership Asheville Seniors... is a program for retirement aged people in Buncombe County. During eight day-long sessions in a variety of locations around the community, participants meet with community leaders, activists, and politicians to gain in-depth understanding of the area's history, people, institutions, challenges, and opportunities...."

The Blue Ridge Naturalist
"... The Blue Ridge Province of the Southern Appalachians is an area of incredible beauty, diversity of life and culture. The Blue Ridge Naturalist offers classes, field studies, and workshops designed to provide residents of western North Carolina with an opportunity to learn more about the natural world and cultural heritage of our mountains...."

"... The program will allow participants to:

* Have fun exploring the natural world with like-minded people
* Learn from regional naturalists about the biodiversity and ecology of the Blue Ridge through participation in outdoor education and classroom studies
* Appreciate the cultural heritage of the region and learn how the geography and environment have shaped the folklore and culture of the mountains
* Participate in service opportunities as educators and hands-on workers in activities that enhance the environment of western North Carolina
* Become educated advocates for a sustainable future for the Asheville area and all of western North Carolina

"... Classes include botany, vertebrate zoology, geology/meteorology, ecology, various field studies, and how to convey this knowledge to others. Field studies cover such topics as wildflowers and trees, birds and butterflies, forest habitats, rocks and minerals, reptiles and water systems...."

Developed and coordinated by the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement at UNCA. Open to adults of all ages.

Three Day Workshops Helps Baby Boomers Plan for a Bright and Creative Future

Paths to Creative Retirement
"... How do you plan to spend your next decades? The next generation of retirees won’t be satisfied with a life of early bird specials or shuffleboard games. Seventy-seven million Baby Boomers have something else in mind, such as new careers, continuing education, a rich and varied social life, and giving back to their communities. Amid all of these choices, one thing is clear: careful planning is essential for creating the future you truly desire.... Paths to Creative Retirement, a lively three-day workshop... helps couples and individuals assess what they want and devise strategies to get there. Through topical lectures, group exchanges, visioning exercises and more, “Paths” will help you bring focus to the future and generate an outline for a personal action plan...."

Click on each of the dozens of categories to the left to uncover what makes the Asheville area so vital, so intriguing and so, well, UTTERLY BLISSFUL!

Leadership Training for Older Persons (LTOP)
"... is a free public program for adult’s age 50 or better. Its purpose is to help older adults become comfortable voicing their views on issues and taking a more active role in becoming a leader. Participants work towards creating positive changes in their community.... During this free 6 week course participants will develop practical skills in leading groups, running meetings, team building, and public speaking, project planning and much more. Participants will continue their work after class by putting their new skills into practice by working in collaboration with UNCA Health & Wellness majors on community projects which tie into the Center’s celebration of The Year of Health and Wellness... All are welcome to apply for this free course, but preference will be given to applicants from our underserved communities who are 50 years of age or better. Membership in the Center is not necessary to participate...."