Madison, Wis.--This summer, plan to take an education vacation on the beautiful University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
The 49th annual College Days, scheduled for June 5-7, offers participants the opportunity to experience college life by taking part in exciting seminars taught by university faculty and other experts; staying overnight in Ogg Hall; and sharing campus-style meals in Gordon Commons.
There are seminars, tours and activities to interest everyone at College Days 2012, says Michele Dickinson, outreach specialist with Cooperative Extension Family Living Programs, which hosts the event. Presenters from the UW System and Wisconsin communities will share their interests, research and expertise on a variety of topics.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about things that touch their everyday lives such as Medicare changes related to the Affordable Care Act, estate planning, how to compost in their own backyard, and effective communication. And they’ll learn about the latest scientific findings from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory; how to build a telescope; and the genomes of Neanderthals.
“The College Days seminars cover nearly everything – from ‘need to know’ topics, to the fun and unusual. These are topics you’ll want to learn about if you’re 20 or if you’re 70,” says Dickinson.
Opening speaker Michael Perry, Wisconsin author and humorist, will kick off College Days with some stories of the “accidental” consequences of his college education and how his decision to go from a farm boy to a nurse ultimately led him to a life in the writing and performing arts.
Every year College Days features tours on Wednesday afternoon, early morning exercise programs, and entertainment Tuesday and Wednesday evening. This year’s tours will include Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the New Chazen Museum of Art, the UW-Madison Bascom Hill History tour, and a “bike tour of the solar system.” Tuesday evening entertainment will be provided by Uncle Ozzie, and one-man ten-piece band; the following night the Jan Wheaton Duo will perform many jazz standards at the historic UW-Madison Music Hall .
College Days has become an annual tradition for many participants. “Friends and family, from across the state, come together to enjoy this unique learning experience and become college kids once again. We have participants that have been coming for about 30 years. And many of our participants bring a new friend every year,” says Dickinson.
Early registration ends May 2; registrations received later may not be able to reserve housing in Ogg Hall.
For more information about College Days or to view the complete program brochure, visit http://blogs.ces.uwex.edu/flpconferences/college-days/ or call 1-888-391-4255.
Contact:
MIchele Dickinson
(608) 265-9101
michele.dickinson@ces.uwex.edu