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Holyoke Community College



Our Classes

Write Your First Novel (in 90 Days!) EXPR 070.51, CRN 26216

$45
Calendar Jul 17, 2026 at 7 pm

This intensive course provides a schedule of crafting a novel from start to finish, which you can finish in as little as 90 days! This class will also help you stay motivated throughout the journey. You will learn how to: • select your novel genre and develop a compelling premise • create multidimensional characters and immersive settings • craft a detailed plot outline • manage your time to keep your writing flow consistent • combat common roadblocks including writer’s block • master the art of self-editing: refining your plot, and fixing pacing, dialogue, and characterization problems. • receive constructive criticism from beta readers • explore publishing options. By the end of this class, you will know how to complete your novel and have the knowledge and confidence to move forward with the publishing process. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Around the world with Chef Swanigan (Ages 9-16) FOOD 124.51, CRN 26209

$425
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 9 am

Ages: 9 - 16

Cuisine around the world serves as a universal language that unites people across cultures through shared flavors, traditions, and stories. Join us for an exciting week of hands-on culinary fun, where young chefs will discover the joy of cooking delicious, easy-to-prepare meals to share with family and friends. Participants will work together to chop, season, cook, and taste a variety of recipes - all made from scratch. Each day introduces new menu themes, ingredients, and techniques designed to build confidence in the kitchen. Along the way, students will learn essential skills such as kitchen safety, proper sanitation, and effective teamwork. By the end of the week, your young chef will take home a collection of new recipes, improved culinary skills, and plenty of flavorful memories to share with others. By the end of the week, your young chef will take home a collection of new recipes, improved culinary skills, and plenty of flavorful memories to share with others.

The menu for each day will be as follows:

Monday- Asia Teriyaki Bowl (white rice, teriyaki grilled chicken, mix of vegetables)

Tuesday- Puerto Rico Spanish rice and beans, Fried Pork Chops, Sweet Plantain, Side Salad

Wednesday- Greek Lemon Potatoes, Herb Baked Chicken, Mediterranean Salad

Thursday- Italy Genovese (Rigatoni w sugo alla genovese sauce), Caprese Salad

Friday- Cajun French Jambalaya (andouille sausage, chicken, shrimp) Smothered Cabbage, Sweet Cornbread

Please alert us to any food allergies upon registration & bring a food safe container each day for leftovers to go home.

Dropoff no earlier than 8.45am & pickup no later than 3.15pm, both signed for by parents or guardians only.

No Uber, Lyft or Taxi’s permitted.

Make Your First Video Game (age 8-10) YUTH 109.51, CRN 26087

$199
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 9 am

Ages: 8 - 10

In this Black Rocket classic, you will go well beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D game design classes and create an immersive 3D world. Students will learn the physics behind 3D games, explore beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay, and storytelling. Student projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Projects are only compatible with Windows devices. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Students can only be registered if their actual age matches the advertised age range of the class. If a registration is received that does not comply, we will have to cancel the registration and issue a refund. 

Dropoff no earlier than 15 minutes prior to class start time & pickup no later than 15 minutes after class end time, both signed for by parents or guardians only.

No Uber, Lyft or Taxi’s permitted.

Instructor Brittany Pietskowski

Passport to Flavors with Chef Vargas-Gonzalez (Ages 9-16) FOOD 126.51, CRN 26213

$425
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 9 am

Ages: 9 - 16

Calling all young food lovers - it’s time to travel the world through food! This hands-on cooking camp takes kids on a delicious journey across global cuisines, exploring flavors, techniques, and ingredients that make each culture unique. They will dive into fun daily themes like diner classics, Mexican favorites, Mediterranean feasts, Filipino street bites, and Southern comfort food, all while building confidence one tasty dish at a time. Throughout the week, young chefs will practice kitchen safety, learn proper knife skills, and discover how to balance flavors using herbs, spices, and sauces from around the world. They’ll also work together on team cooking challenges that inspire creativity, problem-solving, and presentation skills.

The menu for the week will be as follows:

Monday (Diner Classic) Fried Chicken Sliders, Sweet Potato Fries, House pickles, Banana Cream Pudding Shooters

Tuesday (Mexican )Steak and Cheese Quesadilla with street corn salad, pico de gallo and sour cream (Cilantro rice as a group)

Wednesday (Mediterranean) Beef kofta, fattoush salad, tzatziki and pita

Thursday (Filipino Bowl) Chicken skewers, with white rice, topped with fried shallots, pickled carrots, scallions, cucumber

Friday (Southern Vibes) Baked Mac and Cheese, Pulled Pork, Slaw and Cornbread

Please alert us to any food allergies upon registration & bring a food safe container each day for leftovers to go home.

Dropoff no earlier than 8.45am & pickup no later than 3.15pm, both signed for by parents or guardians only.

No Uber, Lyft or Taxi’s permitted

Make Your First Video Game (age 11-14) YUTH 109.52, CRN 26088

$199
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 1 pm

Ages: 11 - 14

In this Black Rocket classic, you will go well beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D game design classes and create an immersive 3D world. Students will learn the physics behind 3D games, explore beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay, and storytelling. Student projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Projects are only compatible with Windows devices. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. 

Students can only be registered if their actual age matches the advertised age range of the class. If a registration is received that does not comply, we will have to cancel the registration and issue a refund. 

Dropoff no earlier than 15 minutes prior to class start time & pickup no later than 15 minutes after class end time, both signed for by parents or guardians only.

No Uber, Lyft or Taxi’s permitted.

Instructor Brittany Pietskowski

Writing for Children: A Beginner’s Guide EXPR 004.51, CRN 26217

$35
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 5 pm
Step into the magical world of children’s and YA literature—and learn how to captivate young readers like a pro! This dynamic class dives deep into the hottest market trends, age-smart storytelling techniques, and unforgettable character creation that speaks directly to kids and teens. You’ll also get insider tips on crafting submissions that grab the attention of kid-lit magazines and publishers. Whether you’re dreaming of picture books or YA novels, this is your launchpad to creating stories that kids won’t put down. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Launch Your Pet-Sitting/Dog-Walking Biz CRER 095.51, CRN 26218

$25
Calendar Jul 20, 2026 at 7 pm
Love animals and want to earn extra cash? Turn your passion for pets into a thriving side gig! This fun, interactive class is perfect for teens who dream of walking dogs, feeding fish, or caring for cuddly cats while making money. You’ll learn the basics of pet care, how to build trust with pet owners, set your rates, promote your services, and handle tricky situations like nervous pets. You’ll get cool handouts to keep and use anytime—no extra cost. The class is led by a longtime teacher, and a young pro who started pet sitting at 13 and knows the hustle inside and out. We’ll send the webinar login info the day before, so you’re all set to join in!

Beginner’s Guide to Using FREE ChatGPT (AI) for Writers EXPR 078.51, CRN 26219

$35
Calendar Jul 21, 2026 at 5 pm

ChatGPT (AI) is here to stay and is the future for writers and content creators. Don’t be left behind! No prior AI experience required. Do you want to learn how to incorporate the power of cutting-edge technology to gain ideas and inspiration, write web content, articles, and even novels or scripts? In this beginner-friendly course, you’ll learn how to: • register for a FREE ChatGPT account • input effective writing prompts to avoid nonsense responses • build creative content, from stories to marketing copy • determine its capabilities and limitations • understand ethical/legal considerations using ChatGPT. There’s no doubt ChatGPT and similar AI systems will force the job market to evolve. It’s crucial for everyone to adapt, learn new skills, and be open to working in collaboration with AI, so start building your expertise in the world of ChatGPT now! The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.





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