Columbia Education Center (Ilwaco)   

Connect art and nature through a hands-on creative practice that supports reflection, well-being, and mental health. Using locally gathered natural materials, you’ll create a cyanotype print and a frame while exploring nature as both inspiration and artistic medium. Before class, participants may follow a provided map for a reflective walk and collect materials; natural materials will also be available in class and all other supplies and materials will be provided. The workshop includes art-making, discussion, and examples of artists whose work incorporates the natural world.

Connect art and nature through a hands-on creative practice that supports reflection, well-being, and mental health. Using locally gathered natural materials, you’ll create a cyanotype print and a frame while exploring nature as both inspiration and artistic medium. Before class, participants may follow a provided map for a reflective walk and collect materials; natural materials will also be available in class and all other supplies and materials will be provided. The workshop includes art-making, discussion, and examples of artists whose work incorporates the natural world.

Explore art journaling as a creative practice for reflection, well-being, and mental health. Through guided prompts and hands-on activities, you’ll use collage as a foundation while incorporating drawing, painting, photography, writing, and other media. Each week includes time for reflection, art-making, and optional group discussion. The focus is on expressing feelings, processing experiences, and deepening your relationship with yourself through creativity, without pressure to produce a polished final product.

Note: This class is for personal enrichment and is not a substitute for professional therapy.

Planning ahead can bring clarity and peace of mind for you and your loved ones. In this two-hour informational workshop, participants will learn about the core documents commonly recommended for estate planning in Washington State, including Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, and Advance Health Care Directives. The session will also introduce key concepts related to trusts and the probate process, helping you understand how these tools can work together in a basic estate plan. Participants will gain an overview of what these documents typically include, what they can legally address in Washington, and what to expect when preparing them.

Note: This workshop is intended for educational and planning purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Receive your certification at this one-day training event.

The flagger training course uses the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) curriculum. It will give you the opportunity to work as a certified flagger and be listed on the National Flagger Database. You'll earn a certification valid for three (3) years in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, as well as a national certification that will allow you to work in all other states.

As a trained flagger, you will be able to establish proper warning and traffic control in a work zone to assure the safety of workers and to ensure traffic moves safely and consistently.

Registration fee includes book, test, and flagger certification cards.

Course Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age at the time of the class.
• Must have picture ID to present on the day of class.
• Must pass test with 80% or better to obtain certification. Must pay in full to retake.
• Must arrive no later than 7:55 am to be admitted. Entrance is prohibited after 8:00 am.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Each attendee for this class needs their own email address in order to be added to the ATSSA flagger database. Duplicate emails during the registration process will not be accepted.

Good to Know
Grays Harbor College cannot provide replacement cards. If you lose your flagger card, call 1-800-272-8772 + 0 (or email customerservice@attsa.com) for the customer service representative. You will need to tell the representative you took the Washington class. There is a card replacement fee of $10 per card. WA cards are good in WA, OR, ID, and MT. ATSSA cards are good in all states except WA and OR.

Turn your experience, interests, and resources into new income opportunities that fit your life. Designed for retirees, people considering a career or lifestyle change, and anyone looking to supplement their income, this course explores practical ways to earn close to home through services, seasonal work, small-scale business ideas, and other flexible income streams.

Participants will identify skills and assets they already have, consider what people in their community need, and explore simple pricing, budgeting, and low-risk ways to test an idea. The course focuses on realistic opportunities for rural and coastal communities, with no need to return to school, launch a large business, or make a major investment.

Move beyond casual conversations with Claude AI and learn how to use it for practical, productive work. Explore how to structure conversations, work with documents, organize ongoing tasks with Projects, verify AI-generated information, and understand how Claude handles your data. Bring a real task, such as a letter, plan, or research question, and use Claude to complete it during class. Optional one-on-one help will be available during the one-hour lunch break.

This course is offered in person at the Columbia Education Center in Ilwaco or online from anywhere via Zoom.

Learn how to use Google Workspace to communicate, organize, and collaborate more effectively in your business. Explore professional email with your own domain, shared file organization in Google Drive, scheduling with Google Calendar, and real-time collaboration in Google Docs and other Workspace tools. The class will also help business owners using free Google tools decide whether a paid Google Workspace account meets their needs. Optional one-on-one help will be available during the one-hour lunch break.

This course is offered in person at the Columbia Education Center in Ilwaco or online from anywhere via Zoom.

Do you have a sewing maching that you rarely or never use, but sure wish you could? Learn the basics of sewing in this hands-on class for beginners! You’ll become familiar with your sewing machine, practice essential techniques, and build the skills to complete projects independently. Designed for teens and adults with little or no sewing experience.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Using a sewing machine: Safe operation, threading, winding a bobbin, and basic troubleshooting
• Working with patterns: Reading a pattern envelope, choosing the correct size, and understanding fabric grain
• Seams and construction: Sewing a standard 5/8-inch garment seam and a precise 1/4-inch quilting seam
• Understanding fabric: Identifying and working with woven fabrics, flannel, and cotton knits

 

PROJECTS

You'll complete three-four projects that introduce new skills at each stage:

• Tote or zippered bag: Practice straight stitching and learn to create box corners
• Lounge or pajama pants: Sew curved seams and add an elastic waistband
• Quilt top: Practice accurate piecing and nesting seams for a clean finish
• Optional independent project: Use your new skills to complete a project of your choice, as time allows

 

CLASS SCHEDULE

• Class time: 6 - 8 PM
• Optional Lab for extra time to work with instructor support: 8 - 9 PM

 

SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

Please bring your own sewing machine and the items on THIS LIST to the first day of class. Having your own tools allows you to practice at home and ensures your equipment is sharp and ready for use. If you already have similar sewing items at home, please feel free to bring and use them! There is no need to buy brand-new items if you already have functional tools that meet the project requirements.

Create a personalized Christmas card in Adobe Express, using your own photos or stock images. Learn to arrange images and text, customize your design, and prepare the finished file for professional printing. You’ll leave with finished designs ready to be professional printed, along with the skills to make more. Optional one-on-one help will be available during the one-hour lunch break.

Learn to manage your organization’s Facebook and Instagram presence more efficiently with Meta Business Suite. Set up and organize your account, schedule posts in advance, respond professionally to messages, and use Insights to understand what reaches and engages your audience. The class also offers practical guidance on when paying to boost a post may be worthwhile. Optional one-on-one help will be available during the one-hour lunch break.

This course is offered in person at the Columbia Education Center in Ilwaco and online from anywhere via Zoom.

Build practical confidence using the Microsoft Office programs businesses rely on every day. Learn to manage email and calendars in Outlook, create and format professional documents in Word, and organize information and use basic formulas in Excel. The class also covers sharing and moving content between programs and introduces Copilot’s AI features within Microsoft 365. Optional one-on-one help will be available during the one-hour lunch break.

This course is offered in person at the Columbia Education Center in Ilwaco or online from anywhere via Zoom.

Explore the natural forces that have shaped the Pacific Northwest coast and the Columbia River Estuary. This three-session course offers an introduction to the region’s geology and oceanography, including plate tectonics, geologic history, coastal landforms, and erosion. Participants may also examine coastal currents, upwelling, sediment transport, tsunamis, marine debris, and the ocean’s influence on weather and climate. Together, these topics provide a broader understanding of how land, water, and natural processes interact along our coast.

Build confidence in everyday Spanish. In this course, you'll practice essential vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation skills for real-life situations. Depending on the interest and skills of participants, topics may include introductions, travel, dining, family, and community interactions. Along the way, you'll gain cultural insights that deepen your understanding of traditions, values, and regional differences across the Spanish-speaking world. All levels welcome.

Turn your channel idea into published content through a day of hands-on learning. Learn to set up a YouTube channel, plan content, record effective videos with your phone, edit with free tools, upload videos, and write searchable titles and descriptions. The class also provides a realistic introduction to building an audience and earning money from YouTube. Optional one-on-one help will be available during the one-hour lunch break.

This course is offered in person at the Columbia Education Center in Ilwaco and online from anywhere via Zoom.