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PROGRAMS

At Blue Heron Collective we offer a wide range of inclusive, community-centered programs designed for individuals of all abilities and skill levels. Each program and service is rooted in strength-based learning, celebrating the unique talents, interests, and perspectives that every participant brings. Programs are intentionally crafted to foster growth, confidence, and empowerment, providing supportive spaces where individuals can build skills, form connections, and explore their passions without judgment. Whether through creative expression, life skills, wellness, or social engagement, Blue Heron Collective is committed to creating welcoming environments where everyone can thrive.

  • Brain Builders

    200$
    This inclusive class is a workout for your brain designed for adults of all abilities. Improve your memory, work on organization skills and emotion regulation, through focused activities.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Learn self-monitoring and impulse control skills
    • Learn about regulation strategies that work for you
    • Play group games to enhance memory skills
    • Role play with a group to enhance flexible thinking
    • Learn strategies for planning, organization, time management

  • Get Outside

    200$
    We will use the natural playground of the Erie Canal to explore seasonal recreation opportunities. Do what you love or try something new!
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Wednesday 10-11 am
    • Community-building through shared experiences in nature
    • Learn how to use a compass and read a map
    • Practice navigating outdoor spaces in the community
    • Learn how to fish or snowshoe depending on the season
    • Practice bird, animal and plant identification
    • Learn safety in crossing the road, navigating around bikers
    • Learn life cycles of native plants and animals

  • Financial Well Being

    200$
    This inclusive course is designed specifically for individuals who wish to gain essential skills and knowledge for managing their finances with confidence.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Create a budget and money management plan
    • Create a weekly journal distinguishing needs vs. wants
    • Role play to develop self-Control skills around spending
    • Identify Savings Habits
    • Do research to become an informed consumer
    • Learn how to navigate credit through guest speakers
    • Receive guided help to open and manage bank accounts
    • Explore taxes and other financial topics through role play

  • STEAM Pathways: Real World Readiness

    200$
    STEAM Pathways is an inclusive class that integrates skills—such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management—with STEAM concepts
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Thursdays 12:00 - 1:00pm
    • Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math
    • Participate in research about STEAM topics
    • Complete experiments, basic engineering, simple machines
    • Learn how to complete a project from planning to finished
    • Practice executive function skills through hands on projects
    • Learn strategies to maintain focus
    • Learn how to use the 3D printer
    • Learn about different art mediums to add to projects
    • Practice time management skills in order to complete project

  • Fitness Classes Adult 17+

    200$
    Build strength, boost energy, and improve well-being with guided workouts led by facilitators who value safety and accountability. All abilities are welcome.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Fridays 11:00 - 12:00pm
    • Inclusive and adaptable for all fitness levels
    • Builds strength, balance, and flexibility
    • Boosts energy levels and reduces daily stress
    • Supports focus, attention, and mental clarity
    • Encourages healthy routines and accountability
    • Promotes better sleep and overall wellness
    • Fun, motivating environment that builds confidence

  • Shelter Helpers 1

    200$
    In Shelter Helpers, animal lovers will create and design enrichment toys through meaningful, hands-on projects.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Mondays 10:00 - 11:00am
    • Create enrichment toys for shelter animals
    • Explore humane care and animal needs
    • Practice kindness, teamwork, and empathy
    • Learn about dogs, cats, farm animals and small animals
    • Compare and Contrast animal and human needs
    • Learn skills to care for a variety of animals
    • Research animal topics
    • Learn about community resources for animals

  • YouTube Star

    200$
    Through interactive projects, guided instruction, and real-world practice, YouTube Star empowers participants to build digital literacy, self-awareness, and confidence.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Thursdays 10:00 - 11:00
    • Work with facilitator to brainstorm ideas
    • Express knowledge and interests in a creative way
    • Learn how to organize thoughts and stay on topic
    • Learn how to write scripts that people can understand
    • Learn how to use lighting, green screen, camera angles
    • Analyze personal recordings and edit content

  • Food Fit 2.0

    250$
    This class focuses on helping participants unlock the mystery of food ingredients and how different foods support the body, energy levels, and overall well-being.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+ Mondays 11:15 - 12:30pm
    • Learn the current food groups and recommendations
    • Analyze ingredients, calories, serving size, preservatives
    • Learn about and plan and build balanced meals
    • Learn about the importance of hydration habits
    • Create healthy snacks like smoothies, infused water
    • Relate healthy eating recommendations to individual goals
    • Tour the grocery store to understand the layout
    • Learn where to find specific items like produce
    • Practice reading food labels for ingredients
    • Recognize the difference between protein, carbohydrates, fat
    • Create food labels
    • Draw and build balanced meals
    • Learn food safety skills in a commercial kitchen

  • Spotted Rabbit Art Class @ Blue Heron

    250$
    Our weekly art class is designed to give teens and adults the perfect place to learn new techniques, express themselves visually, and connect with other creative minds.
    Valid for 4 weeks
    • Thursdays 5:30 - 7:00pm
    • Facilitator: Evelyn Varlan, LCAT-P
    • Learn how to sew and engage in other fiber arts
    • Receive instruction in acrylic & watercolor painting
    • Practice collage & mixed media art through instruction
    • Explore 3D & found object art
    • Receive explicit ceramics instruction
    • Direct instruction
    • Learn new art techniques

  • Spotted Rabbit Bi-Week Art Class @BHC-

    125$
    Our bi-weekly art class is designed to give teens and adults the perfect place to learn new techniques, express themselves visually, and connect with other creative minds.
    Valid for one month
    • Every other Thursday 5:30-7:00pm
    • Facilitator: Evelyn Varlan, LCAT-P
    • Learn how to sew and engage in other Fiber Arts
    • Receive instruction in acrylic & watercolor painting
    • Practice collage and mixed media art through instruction
    • Explore 3D & Found object art
    • Receive explicit ceramics instruction
    • Direct instruction
    • Learn new art techniques

  • Dessert Designs

    275$
    Participants will follow recipes, try out their own, practice safe food preparation, and develop executive functioning, communication skills in a supportive, community-based environment.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • 17 + Wednesday 11:15am-12:15pm
    • Strengthen skills through planning, measuring, organizing
    • Collaborate and communicate with others
    • Following directions, problem solving, flexible thinking
    • Learn kitchen safety, hygiene and tools
    • Creative expression through decorating and design

  • The Collective Social Club

    200$
    This is an inclusive, community-based class designed for individuals to build meaningful social connections and practice real-world interpersonal skills through structured activities.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+, Fridays 10-11am
    • Build meaningful social connections
    • Practice real-world interpersonal skills
    • Strengthen communication, executive functioning
    • Learn self-regulation strategies in a supportive environment
    • Practice communication skills such as active listening
    • Learn strategies for self-advocacy
    • Engagement in group activities
    • Learn how to break goals into smaller steps
    • Practice turn taking while playing games and conversations
    • Learn strategies to stay focused and on topic

  • Golf

    300$
    In this community-based class, participants will build skills in coordination, focus, and social engagement through structured, supportive instruction to learn foundational golf techniques.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+, Mondays 2:30-4:00
    • Skill-building in motor coordination, balance
    • Development of executive functioning skills
    • Opportunities for social interaction, teamwork
    • Instruction in foundational golf skills
    • Emphasis on self-regulation, patience
    • Adapted teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs
    • Promotion of confidence, independence, healthy activity

  • Paranormal Podcasting

    200$
    This class is led by a self-advocate who has a special interest in the paranormal. Engage in creative story sharing, research, and digital media production.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 17+, Saturday, 12:30-1:30 pm
    • Development of communication skills through storytelling
    • Planning episodes, organizing ideas, time management
    • Guided research skills, including identifying sources
    • Hands-on experience with recording equipment and basic audio
    • Opportunities for collaboration, teamwork, and peer feedback
    • Support for self-expression, confidence

  • Game Story

    200$
    This class is video games meets Dungeons and Dragons where participants put their favorite video game characters inside of a campaign.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 13+, Saturdays, 11am-12pm
    • Practice communication skills through storytelling
    • Collaboration and teamwork through story creation
    • Creation of avatar using different art medium
    • Develop character identifiers
    • Build peer relationships through game development
    • Learn how to use the 3D Printer to create game board pieces
    • Learn how to organize steps in an organized sequence
    • Learn compromise and perspective taking through game play

  • Flower Power

    200$
    This inclusive class is perfect for the beginner gardener and naturalist at heart. We will cover everything from basic gardening skills, to designing beautiful bouquets.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 14+, all abilities welcome
    • Learn basic gardening skills
    • Identify different types of gardens, flowers, vegetables etc
    • Learn about pollinators and what attracts them
    • Research farm to table and understand where food is produced
    • Learn how to build flower bouquets
    • Learn about air plants and succulents

  • Fashion Design

    250$
    This inclusive class is made for the individual who is creative, innovative and passionate about making a fashion statement.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 14+, all abilities welcome
    • Create fashion sketches (croquis, flats, presentation)
    • Research different fashion trends
    • Learn different stiches (hand and sewing machine)
    • Practice safe use of scissors, sewing needles, iron etc.
    • Understand the use of different fabric, material and thread
    • Be creative and collaborate with others
    • Practice the design process and develop time management

  • Let's Get Crafty

    250$
    This inclusive class is designed for the individual who loves all things crafting.
    Valid for 8 weeks
    • Ages 14+, all abilities welcome
    • Learn how to upcycle and make old things new again
    • Practice scrapbooking, making junk journals
    • craft your own wellness products
    • Learn how to create felted wool projects
    • Learn craft tool safety (scissors, soldering, hot glue,etc)
    • Create and collaborate with others
    • Practice time management, planning and organization

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