All Personal Enrichment   

Design a serene fused glass beach scene sized at 8" x 6", perfect for hanging in a sunny window or displaying on a shelf. In this creative, hands-on class, you’ll learn basic glass layout techniques while layering colors and shapes to evoke sand, sea, and sky. Whether you’re dreaming of the coast or missing the ocean breeze, this project lets you bring the beach to you. All materials are provided, and no prior glass experience is needed—just your imagination and love of coastal vibes.
 

Brighten your garden or flowerpots with color that lasts all year. In this hands-on fused glass class, you’ll create two decorative garden stakes, each measuring 3" x 16". Choose from a variety of glass colors and learn basic design and layout techniques to create bold, eye-catching pieces that shine in any season. Finished stakes are perfect for outdoor beds, planters, or even indoor displays. All glass materials are provided, and no prior glass experience is required—just come ready to create.
 

Explore the charming world of alpine pikas as you experiment with mixed media inspired by their expressive poses and colorful wildflower habitats. In this short, hands‑on workshop, you’ll practice drawing, layering, and playful mark‑making to bring these mountain dwellers to life. Whether you’re new to art or expanding your creative toolkit, you’ll leave with a delightful finished piece, fresh techniques, and renewed creative confidence.

Step outside and discover the joy of painting directly from nature in this relaxing plein air watercolor workshop. We’ll explore essential principles of outdoor painting—how to choose dynamic compositions, simplify complex scenes, and start with confident sketches before building luminous layers of watercolor. Enjoy the freedom and versatility of the medium while capturing the beauty of Silverdale’s Sound Side, including the occasional cameo of Mt. Rainier.

Offered in partnership with Kitsap Art Center, this class welcomes curious beginners and seasoned artists alike. The class will meet at an offsite location in Silverdale. Location will be sent to students prior to the session.

This hands-on workshop introduces adult learners to the fundamentals of watercolor painting in a relaxed and supportive environment. Come explore essential materials, basic color mixing, and core watercolor techniques such as washes, layering, and dry brush. Through guided exercises and a simple painting project, participants will learn how watercolor behaves on paper while building confidence and enjoyment in the painting process.

Supplies required for class:

• 140lb cotton watercolor paper
• watercolor paint pan set
• assorted round watercolor brushes, assorted sizes 2-10
• 1 pencil
• 1 roll of painters tape
• paper towel/rag
• 1 water container
• Recommended: P1 flat watercolor wash, brush size 1 inch

Step onto the dance floor and glide into the timeless elegance of the Foxtrot. Originating in the early 1900s, this classic ballroom dance is known for its smooth, flowing movements and long, graceful strides. In this welcoming class, you’ll learn foundational steps, proper posture, and the relaxed, sophisticated style that makes the Foxtrot a favorite for social dancing. Whether you’re new to ballroom dance or looking to refine your skills, this course offers a fun and confident introduction to a true classic.

Come hike along shorelines and forested bluff paths where you will learn about local marine life, habitat conservation and the coastal landscape. We will keep watch for marine mammals offshore and feeding in kelp beds while learning about why marine habitat conservation matters as it supports fish, shellfish, and mammals and the local economy. Come dressed for the weather, wear solid shoes, and stay hydrated. Exact location will be sent before the class begins. 

Develop an affordable system where fish and plants thrive together!

This step by step class is approved for Clock Hours.

In this hands-on studio class, you'll create your own 5x7" painting while following step-by-step demonstrations from a skilled instructor. Learn techniques in real time and receive personalized tips to bring your artwork to life. All materials are provided, including watercolors, brushes, paper, and a project sketch so you can focus on painting and having fun. No experience needed—just come ready to explore your creativity!

Join us this week as we paint sea otters.
 

This 6 week course is designed to help you navigate important conversation topics in Japanese. 

Topics will include how to introduce yourself, eating, shopping, transportation, and even how to navigate getting lost or becoming ill/injured and getting the help you need.

Don’t pack your bags yet, because your first journey is through language learning in this crash course to Japanese: Travel Edition.

Line dance is taught in a fun, friendly, and inclusive environment.

During each session, in addition to learning a variety of line dances, you’ll also learn and become familiar with dance steps, terminology, and the counts for each of the dances taught.

This session is designed for summertime family fun. An all-ages series designed for parents, children and grandparents, in a light hearted all-inclusive environment. Please note that all minors must be registered with an adult enrollment
 

What makes a summer session lager so crisp, refreshing, and perfect for hot-weather sipping? In this hands‑on class, we’ll break down the ingredients, brewing techniques, and fermentation practices that set session beers apart from other styles. You’ll explore grain bills, yeast choices, and tricks of the trade used to keep flavor high and ABV low. Then roll up your sleeves for practical experience with processes like dry hopping and beer transferring—complete with tastings along the way. Finish your day with a guided, formal tasting and a behind‑the‑scenes facility tour.
 

Discover the joy of making music with one of the world’s friendliest instruments! This class is intended to get you started and comfortable with playing the Ukulele.

Whether your trip to Hawaii piqued your interest, or you simply love the sound of this stringed instrument, this class will having you tuning and strumming your instrument before the week is out. In this upbeat beginner class you will learn how to play simple tunes and traditional sounds while focusing on hand positions, tuning, strumming, and chords.

Don't have your own ukulele and tuner yet?  You can buy them at Ted Brown Music Company.

Whether you are preparing for a trip or simply want to gain confidence speaking Spanish, this course will offer you a safe and fun environment to learn. You will increase your vocabulary while discussing daily activities, voicing opinions, asking cultural questions and sharing stories.

Through a combination of hands-on practice, guided instruction, and discussion, participants will learn how to recognize and respond to choking, perform infant CPR, and take appropriate action in high-stress situations. In addition to emergency response skills, this class emphasizes prevention and everyday safety. 

Topics include safe feeding practices, choking prevention, safe sleep, car seat safety, Poison Control, and common household risks. 

Participants will engage in hands-on skill practice using infant manikins and will leave with practical, easy-to-understand techniques that can be applied in real-life situations.

This course equips participants with the confidence, clarity, and leadership presence needed to show up with credibility in both professional and personal environments. 
Through a focus on mindset, communication, and self-presentation, learners explore what executive presence is, why it matters, and how to cultivate behaviors that signal leadership readiness at any career stage. Learn more about Model Executive at this website.

 

Become a certified flagger by learning safety for both the public and fellow employees. Learn how to manage interference from vehicle/pedestrian traffic, learn proper use of traffic control devices and other flagger duties. Certification issued upon passing exam.

Students who successfully pass the course receive a certification valid for three years in Washington and an additional certification accepted nationally.

Everyone has a story worth telling. In this inspiring memoir-writing course, author Irina VanPatten guides you through the process of shaping your life experiences into a compelling narrative. Learn how to craft a story that’s both insightful and engaging, while exploring practical ways to share your work and promote yourself as a published writer. Whether you're just starting out or refining a draft, this class will help you find your voice and bring your story to life.

Come reset your nervous system, relax your body, and calm your mind through the power of sound.

How does sound healing work? When our bodies are in a state of inflammation or stress, our cells vibrate at a faster rate than our natural frequency. After prolonged periods of stress, it can become like a disease in the body, mind, and spirit. Humans are mostly water, and sound waves move through our bodies like ripples in a lake or ocean. When our bodies align with the resonance of sound, we strengthen our life force energy and feel better. Sound healing benefits everyone but can especially help those looking to reset their nervous system, relax the body, and calm the mind.

The class will have guided meditations that begin each sound experience, which are also wonderful for those who desire a deeper mind/body connection and want to tap into their imagination in new ways. Students should bring a yoga mat or something comfortable to lay on and wear comfortable clothing and bring anything they need to feel cozy (pillows, blankets, etc.)

If you'd like to learn more about Danielle, you can check out her web site at Entropy Healing or visit her YouTube Channel.

Explore mixed media techniques inspired by nature. In this short, hands on workshop, you’ll practice drawing, layering, and creative mark making to capture both character and environment. Whether you’re new to art or building your skills, you’ll leave with a finished piece, new mixed media confidence, and a deeper understanding of your materials.

This session's subject will be raccoons washing their hands creekside.
 

American Heart Association (AHA) HeartCode® BLS (blended learning) course includes:

• Approximately 2 hours of self-paced online coursework, completed in advance.
  • Includes content review, skills videos, and the written exam completed online.
  • Students may retake the online written exam as many times as needed to achieve a passing score prior to attending the skills session.
  • Students must have passed the written exam with a minimum score of 84% (21/25) prior to the start of the 2-2.5 hour in-person skills practice session. 
• After succesful completion of the online coursework and passing the written exam, the student will attend an approximately 2-2.5 hour in-person skills practice and testing session on the scheduled date and time.
   

Students must arrive at the skills session with proof of successful completion of the online portion. If proof cannot be provided, the student cannot participate and would need to reschedule.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and beyond, through the lens of acclaimed photographer Brian Walsh. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience and inspiration from masters like Ansel Adams and Eliot Porter, Brian shares stories, techniques, and lessons from his travels across the American West. Learn how he captures iconic landscapes and wildlife, and explore the creative process behind his award‑winning work, including We Are Puget Sound. Perfect for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Gain proficiency and confidence in the use of your digital cameras to achieve creative results. This course combines picture taking and classroom instruction so you will understand how to control depth of field and motion utilizing aperture and shutter speed settings. 

The instructor will assist you with understanding the principles and how to apply them when taking pictures to achieve satisfying results.

This class begins on the Poulsbo Seaside, shooting photos of the bird and marine life as well as water vessels.

Class will then head over to the OC Poulsbo Campus, to critique and discuss techniques and ideas of the photos taken.

Join us on a once in a lifetime sunset hike on Mount Rainier (Tahoma). This hike offers lavish wildflower displays and some of the best opportunities to view the flowers in the glow of the afternoon sun highlighted by the early evening sunset. 

It’s a phenomenon you must see to believe.

Mt. Rainier’s wildflower displays are often heralded as the world’s best. Pinks, purples, blues, yellows are represented in awe-inspiring displays. Come see for yourself, from an up-close look at a delicate glacier lily, to expansive fields of purple lupine. Dress ready for what ever the weather has to offer, wear solid foot ware, stay hydrated, and bring along a snack. You will need to arange travel to the site.

In this hands-on studio class, you'll create your own 5x7" painting while following step-by-step demonstrations from a skilled instructor. Learn techniques in real time and receive personalized tips to bring your artwork to life. All materials are provided, including watercolors, brushes, paper, and a project sketch so you can focus on painting and having fun. No experience needed—just come ready to explore your creativity!

Join us this week as we paint a Washington State Ferry.

American Heart Association (AHA) HeartCode® BLS (blended learning) course includes:

• Approximately 2 hours of self-paced online coursework, completed in advance.
  • Includes content review, skills videos, and the written exam completed online.
  • Students may retake the online written exam as many times as needed to achieve a passing score prior to attending the skills session.
  • Students must have passed the written exam with a minimum score of 84% (21/25) prior to the start of the 2-2.5 hour in-person skills practice session. 
• After succesful completion of the online coursework and passing the written exam, the student will attend an approximately 2-2.5 hour in-person skills practice and testing session on the scheduled date and time.
   

Students must arrive at the skills session with proof of successful completion of the online portion. If proof cannot be provided, the student cannot participate and would need to reschedule.

Become a certified flagger by learning safety for both the public and fellow employees. Learn how to manage interference from vehicle/pedestrian traffic, learn proper use of traffic control devices and other flagger duties. Certification issued upon passing exam.

Students who successfully pass the course receive a certification valid for three years in Washington and an additional certification accepted nationally.

Come reset your nervous system, relax your body, and calm your mind through the power of sound. How does sound healing work?

When our bodies are in a state of inflammation or stress, our cells vibrate at a faster rate than our natural frequency. After prolonged periods of stress, it can become like a disease in the body, mind, and spirit. Humans are mostly water, and sound waves move through our bodies like ripples in a lake or ocean. When our bodies align with the resonance of sound, we strengthen our life force energy and feel better. Sound healing benefits everyone but can especially help those looking to reset their nervous system, relax the body, and calm the mind.

The class will have guided meditations that begin each sound experience, which are also wonderful for those who desire a deeper mind/body connection and want to tap into their imagination in new ways. Students should bring a yoga mat or something comfortable to lay on and wear comfortable clothing and bring anything they need to feel cozy (pillows, blankets, etc.)

If you'd like to learn more about Danielle, you can check out her web site at Entropy Healing or visit her YouTube Channel.

Learn to maneuver a forklift through an obstacle course. Instruction includes machine design, product handling, pre-shift inspection, and on-site logistics. Review WISHA and OSHA requirements.

Certification issued upon successful completion of both the didactic learning and the field driving.

This course is offered through TomKat Safety.

Uncover the geologic events leading to the 1980 eruption of the most active volcano in the Cascade Range. Explore the economic and political underpinnings that shaped the local and regional reactions as the mountain prepared to explode. Understand the multiple volcanic events that made up the May 18, 1980 eruption.

 Learn how the ecosystem has recovered over the five decades since the catastrophic events that forever changed over 230,000 square miles of forest. Discover the significance of the volcanoes to local indigenous populations.

Join us for added adventure on the mountain Sept 5 in this additional outdoor class!
 

Explore mixed media techniques inspired by nature. In this short, hands on workshop, you’ll practice drawing, layering, and creative mark making to capture both character and environment. Whether you’re new to art or building your skills, you’ll leave with a finished piece, new mixed media confidence, and a deeper understanding of your materials.

This session's subject will be common seals in a harbor.
 

This course will cover the planning considerations and operational process for starting and running a mobile food business. The course will cover financial planning, operational and logistical processes as well as administrative requirements for starting and operating a mobile food business. 

We will conduct a detailed financial analysis of what it takes to start and operate a food business and examine how to start, grow and develop a food business.

The class will be based on the instructor's personal journey running a local mobile food business and include lessons learned from his own experiences and observed from watching other peer businesses. 

All participants will also share a Santa Maria Style BBQ Sandwich dinner plate cooked on site by Pedro's Santa Maria Style BBQ. 

Learn Maintenance and Repair Basics: Hands-on training for building trades careers 

This comprehensive 160‑hour program offered through Tessera is designed to give you foundational, hands‑on skills across core building trades: basic carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. This training prepares you for general maintenance roles, OSHA credentials, and further opportunities. 

All applicants must pass a background check to be considered for enrollment. Because this program is fully inclusive and serves individuals who may be considered vulnerable, we are required to follow the DSHS Secretary’s List of Crimes and Negative Actions. Candidates who meet these requirements will be eligible to move forward to attend an instructor-led screening.   Final acceptance into the program requires instructor approval. Applicants will be contacted after applying to complete a Washington State Patrol Background Check Authorization form. 

About this class: 

• Application is open to all, ages 18 and over
• Applicants with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply  
• ASL interpretation or CART services will be provided for Deaf and Hard of Hearing participants. Please let staff know after joining waitlist if you require ASL or CART services
• Students must pass a background check based on DSHS Secretary’s List of Crimes and Negative Actions
• Students must be able to make decisions independently 
• Students must be able to safely perform fine and gross motor tasks 
• Classes are small and hands-on, with 2 instructors guiding 20 adult students
• Tessera will pay students a stipend of $18.75 per hour
• Learn to use power saws, drills, and nail guns 
• Classes will be held at West Sound Technical Skill Center
• Work with a team of people on maintaining and repairing facilities equipment 

Contact & Questions 

• Applicants will be contacted primarily via email.
• All questions about the screening process, course details, and stipends should be directed to TechTrades@tessera.org
• Questions on the online application process should be directed to continuingeducation@olympic.edu, 360-475-7142. 
• This course listing is posted in partnership with Tessera (formerly Skookum).