Lincoln Land Community College is known for its transfer degrees and its workforce and health care training, but do you know about all the other classes, workshops and learning opportunities designed for ages ranging from 5 to 105?

As our name suggests, the LLCC Community Education Department is here to serve the community. These classes are not the kind we might typically think of that are focused on homework assignments and grades — just the opportunity to learn for personal enrichment, skill building and, yes, … even fun.

There are learning opportunities that cover a wide variety of topics. We provide a space for people to explore new interests, engage in lifelong learning, learn a new language, paint a picture, participate in fitness classes, discover beekeeping, plan for retirement, use Photoshop and broaden their culinary skills. Our class offerings range from art to Zumba and everything in between.

Our culinary classes, workshops, dinners and events are always a popular choice. Local chefs and food experts share their knowledge on a variety of topics and experiences in our state-of-the-art culinary facility. In our hands-on baking classes this fall, you can learn the techniques for making pretzels at home, gluten-free desserts, macarons, sourdough breads, palmiers (also known as elephant ears), crème brulee, holiday candy and more. In our fall cooking classes, you can learn the skills for making cheese, pasta, budget-friendly meals, soups, holiday appetizers and more.

We also offer an opportunity to make special memories with your little chef as you decorate prepared cookies with royal icing in our Parent & Me Christmas Cookie Decorating class. And we also have Special Night Out events to spend a fun night watching chef demonstrations and preparing some of the dishes on the menu for a fun and tasty night out.

In addition to our short, open enrollment classes for the community, we have the Academy of Lifelong Learning. Also known as ALL, the Academy is a membership organization designed for people 50 and greater. Members enjoy access to 12-15 monthly programs and special interest groups encompassing a wide array of activities from learning to play Mahjongg to social events featuring guest speakers. Members explore our community through local tours, take day trips, play golf and learn about history, technology and other topics of interest.

There are also opportunities for youth, including Black Rocket technology and Dungeons and Dragons camps. In the summer, we offer College for Kids camps. Your little ones can come to college for the week and get their hands dirty digging for dinosaurs in our paleontology camp, create digital music, explore the topic of writing, discover history, build with Legos and learn the culinary arts.

All of these opportunities offer the community a great place to belong, to build comradery and to enjoy learning together. Learning doesn’t always have to be structured and formal. It can take place anywhere people gather. We learn together when we share our knowledge and ideas through conversation with one another. We build a community when we come together for a shared purpose. I invite you to check out the opportunities at www.llcc.edu/community-education. We are here for your pursuit of lifelong learning.