Enrichment

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Pick up a new hobby or skill in one of our Enrichment classes! Participants can build their knowledge of wine in Tasting Wine, how to properly pair it with food, as well as serve and store wine. Guitar is offered at both the beginning and intermediate level, giving our Recreation go-ers with either the opportunity to start learning the basics, or hone their existing skills. American Sign Language provides the necessary preparation on communicating through the hands and face, and interpreting through the eyes. Beer 101 breaks down everything you need to know about beer, anyone can be an expert! Lastly, our Out & About Series is the perfect class for those in need of a local getaway. Our Enrichment classes are the perfect mix of instruction and fun!

View current schedules and register here. 

American Sign Language

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Have you ever wanted to learn another language? You've come to the right place! The Gaucho REC American Sign language classes are taught by Instuctor Eric Brody. Eric is a deaf person and member of several deaf organizations. He encourages those who are losing their hearing, have some degree of hearing loss or have deaf family or friends to take the class.

American Sign Language - Level 1
Level One is for students with little to no background in American Sign Language. You'll learn vocabulary, basic sentence structure, negation, finger spelling and more. The goal of this course is to give students exposure to ASL and deaf culture. I

American Sign Language - Level 2
Level 2 is designed for students with a basic background in American Sign language. Course content will focus on conversational ASL and deaf culture/history.

The Beer Class

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Enjoyed in the proper setting and in responsible and reasonable amounts, beer is uber fun, but you already know that. No quarters or ping pong balls will be harmed in the instruction of this class. There is so much to understand about beer, beginning with the 10,000-year history of brewing and how that led to the creation of beer styles from around the world. By the end of this course, you’ll learn the difference between lagers, classic pub ales, and the varietals of IPAs being brewed today. Whether you’re on the first step of beer’s thousand-mile-journey or have already logged a few miles, everyone (who is 21 or older and isn’t allergic to gluten) is welcome in The Beer Class.

Guitar

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Acoustic Guitar - Beginning
This is a basic course for students who have never played a guitar before. A guitar and a desire to learn to play are the only requirements. The emphasis of the class will be on playing the guitar and having fun. Basic chords will be stressed so that students can progress at their own rate. Students should bring their own guitar.

Acoustic Guitar - Intermediate
The Intermediate Guitar class is designed for anyone who currently plays the guitar and would like to improve. The class covers a variety of material designed to help the average guitarist become a more knowledgeable and advanced player. Topics include: Technique, theory, fingerpicking, and better chordal and single string understanding. An assortment of songs and styles will also be covered. Students should bring their own guitar.

Out & About Series

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Getting outside and exploring while you’re living in Santa Barbara is an absolute necessity. Don’t know where to start? Get pointed in the right direction with this four week series that is packed with inspiration and local insight. We will show you where to go, what to see and how to fall in love with this breathtaking city.

Great Adventures Within 25 Miles of UCSB
Join us for a quick look at a number of local adventures in and around UCSB! From budget to bougie, there are all kinds of options on the menu. Get the information and motivation you need to plan your next local outdoor adventure.  We hope to inspire you by ending the evening with a campfire right here at the Rec Cen… S’mores included!

Refresh Your Social Feed at Inspiration Point
Feeling like your social feed needs some updating? Inspiration Point is a destination that was made for Instagram. No hiking experience needed to get the photo-worthy rewards of this iconic Santa Barbara hike. Get your heart rate going with a moderate trek that gives you city views, coastal views, and a dose of inspiration that will last all day long. You're living in Santa Barbara, so go ahead and show it off. 

Lunch At Lizard’s Mouth
Pack a sack lunch; the view is about to get incredible. The iconic rock formation that looks like a lizard opening its mouth is a local favorite destination. This is an easy walk that leads to amazing scenic views with plenty of room to spread out a blanket and enjoy a bite or two. 

Travel Smarter Not Harder! 
Thinking about a trip abroad this summer? Our resident travel expert will share insider tips to help you take your out-and-about skills to the next level. Learn how to prevent stressful and expensive mistakes, plan an itinerary, and maximize fun while staying safe. You’ll even be able to book a passport appointment if you need one.

Each of the following sessions are included when you register for the series. No outdoor experience necessary!

Register Here

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Tasting Wine

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In our Tasting Wine class, participants are exposed to a wide range of wines and learn how to compliment them with food. The curriculum touches on the process of wine making (growing and purchasing of grapes, choosing equipment, fermenting, bottling and storing) as well as explains the many health benefits of wine. 

Instructors

BrianYaeger

Brian Yaeger
The Beer Class Instructor

Brian Yaeger, a self proclaimed beer geek but not a beer snob, has been a certified Cicerone since 2009 (it’s Italian for docent; it’s basically beer’s equivalent to Sommeliers). He started his own beer journey as an undergrad here at UCSB and went on to earn a Masters in Professional Writing from USC with a thesis on craft brewers. He spent seven years in Portland—a city regarded as “Beervana”—where he covered the beer beat for several publications, authored and contributed to beer books, and organized beer festivals. Brian is now back in town and reviewing beers for the Santa Barbara Independent. With this course, instead of educating about beer by writing for invisible readers, he is looking forward to elevating the study of beer to the university level. His passion for this storied and complex beverage is instantly palpable and he treats it with a healthy mixture of the respect it deserves and the cheerfulness it brings to social settings, from backyard barbecues to taproom bar stools.