AARP Wyoming's growing slate of healthy fun now includes birdwatching
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When the pandemic forced many organizations to pivot to online meetings and events, AARP Wyoming asked its members what they wanted to stay active and socially engaged.
Since then, the state’s largest advocacy group for people aged 50 and older has created a virtual events center offering everything from line dancing and yoga to photography and art classes.
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Jennifer Baier, outreach director for AARP Wyoming, said on Fridays through March and April, they are offering “For the Birds: From Backyard to Binoculars,” where participants will learn how to spot, identify and track wild bird populations.
"There are all sorts of cool websites where you can track bird migration," Baier pointed out. "And there are apps that you can use to listen to bird songs and identify birds while you’re walking."
There are also in-person birding field trips planned for Cheyenne, Laramie and Sheridan in partnership with the Audubon Society. Baier noted 99 percent of all events are free of charge and you do not have to be 50 years or older to participate. All of the Zoom events are also recorded and available on demand. For a complete list of events, visit AARP.org/WYEvents.
At first, Baier had to recruit people to conduct classes but now, experts from a variety of fields are contacting her with proposals. Laramie artist Lynn Jones teaches an art class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, blending colored pencils, watercolor, textured papers, wood, glass and natural elements. Baier said one of the many great things about Lynn is she is frugal.
"She always gives us options on like, ‘You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars, you can just grab this or that or the other thing,’" Baier recounted. "We appreciate that because art can get expensive pretty quickly."
In addition to all of the fun and creativity, she said classes can help people maintain good brain health and reduce stress and social isolation. Baier added she is especially excited about two Saturday classes planned for this month.
"We’re all going to try ballet for the first time ever," Baier reported. "And we’ve also got a world-renowned iPhone photographer who is going to teach us all the ins and outs of using our iPhones for photography."
