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Beaufort County Community College’s Personal Enrichment programs offer a chance to relax in the midst of this stressful moment we are all facing. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many local residents have skipped trips, scaled back their social time and even dealt with the painful and real consequences of the virus. The following classes offer safe and enjoyable outlets for joy, creativity and stress relief. Participants can register and pay for these classes online at www.beaufortccc.edu/conedregistration. The college requires masks to be worn inside and outside where a distance of six feet cannot be maintained.

Tai Chi

This ancient Chinese exercise art has become a popular pastime for Americans. This class meets twice each week to give you sessions of gentle stretching and breathing. Tai Chi improves strength, flexibility, balance and bone density, and it maintains muscle mass. Folks who participate often report that they just feel better. Choose our morning or evening class to fit your schedule.

Please join Eric Humphries and learn the “8 Essential Pieces of Brocade” which are the foundation of Tai Chi. Classes will take place outside except during rain, in which case they will take place in a large indoor space.

This $45 class is available at four times. One morning class will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 8 to Oct. 8. A second evening class will take place 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 8 to Oct. 8.  A third morning class will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Oct. 20 to Nov. 19. A fourth evening class will take place 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Oct. 20 to Nov. 19.

Welding for Women

Tracey Bidwell is an excellent welder, and she wants to empower women to enjoy this skill. We have noticed that women enjoy the precision and the creativity welding allows. This class will follow the same format as our Welding for Fun class and will benefit from camaraderie and support from fellow women students. We have all the supplies you will need, and the safety equipment too. Just join this class and you will learn the basics of MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and stick (SMAW) welding. By the end of five sessions, you will have made your own art project to keep. This class takes place from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Fridays from Sept. 11 to Oct. 9. It costs $140.

Lawnmower and Small Engine Repair

Here is an opportunity to become your own repair person and to fix your own stuff. In this class, students will learn the skills needed to diagnose, repair and maintain both two-cycle and four-cycle engines. These include weed eaters, tillers, chain saws, leaf blowers and lawn mowers. We use a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Students are encouraged to bring their own equipment to our shop for tune-up and repair. This $90 class will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays from Sept. 16 to Nov. 4.

Motorcycle Safety: Basic Rider Course, Two Wheels

We are pleased to offer this new service to area motorcycle riders, and this class will show off our brand-new driving pad. More importantly, students will learn the safe driving skills for operating a motorcycle in traffic. Please come and learn the operation of motorcycle controls as you practice riding on our protected range. Here are some details:

• We will provide motorcycles, helmets and training manuals.
• You must wear an approved helmet, over-the-ankle footwear, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, full-fingered gloves and protective eye wear at all times while training.
• Successful completion achieves a skills waiver card for the NCDMV.
• Class size is limited to insure personal instruction.
• We will operate rain or shine.
• A mandatory free e-course provided by the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Foundation must be completed before the start of class. The class coordinator will contact students with e-learning login information two weeks prior to class. (Those who desire help with online learning may receive assistance. Please ask.)
• A copy of the e-course certificate of completion must be presented to the instructor on the first day of class. Participation without this certificate is not allowed, and refunds are not given for lack of completion.

Two $145 classes are available, and they will take place on BCCC’s new driving pad. The first class will take place 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27. The second class will take place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15. Please contact Clay Carter at 252-940-6357 or clay.carter@beaufortccc.edu for more information.

Motorcycle Safety: Basic Rider Course, Three Wheels

To accommodate those riders who are using three-wheeled vehicles, we have added this session. The structure is the same as listed above. In this class however, the focus is on operation and safety on a three-wheeled cycle. This class will take place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11. It costs $145.

Welding for Fun

Have you ever thought about all the cool things you could make if only you knew how to weld? Well, here is your chance to find out how. We have all the supplies you will need, and the safety equipment too. Just join this class and you will learn the basics of MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW) and stick (SMAW) welding. By the end of five sessions you will have made your own art project to keep. This $140 class takes place from 9 a.m. to noon, Fridays from Oct. 16 to Nov. 13.