Education Notes
Cape Coral
Cub, Boy Scouts
For nearly 100 years, Scouting has helped young men develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills and citizenship skills that influence and guide them the rest of their lives. To join or learn more about Scouting, attend the sign-up night from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at all public elementary school cafeterias in Lee County. Cub Scouts is for boys in first grade through fifth grade. Boy Scouts is for ages 11-18. To find out about the Southwest Florida Boy Scouts or to get involved, call the Southwest Florida Council at 936-8072 or visit: www.swflcouncilbsa.org.
Adventure camp
If children are looking for adventure and fun on their days off, the adventure camp is for them. It will offer kayaking, tennis, fishing, swimming, beach, tennis and more. The adventure camp is from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 25 and Sept. 28. Resident fee is $25 and non-resident fee is $30. For information or to register, call 574-0806.
Boating class
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-10 Cape Coral/Fort Myers presents a basic skills and seamanship class from 7-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays through Sept. 14 at the Publix at Santa Barbara Boulevard and Veterans Boulevard. Cost is $30. Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, who are qualified, trained and proficient in the program, present the class. Upon course completion, a certificate will be awarded. Many insurance companies honor the certificates for rate discounts. The state of Florida requires that persons 21 years of age or younger complete an approved National Association of State Boating Law Administrators course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more. Graduates will be mailed a Florida Boater Education Identification Card from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For information, call Dave McDonough at 283-2208.
Little Karate Kids
Little Karate Kids, for ages 3-5, will be held from 6:45-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court. Cost is $45 per resident and $50 per non-resident. Pre-registration required. A traditional Japanese karate-do program, it teaches concentration, coordination and self-discipline, all in a format that makes learning fun. Uniform not included but can be purchased from instructor. No class Nov. 11, Nov. 25, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. For information, call 574-0804 or visit: www.CapeParks.com.
Fort Myers
Training seminars
FGCU Small Business Development Center presents the following training seminars.
– Tuesday: Budget and Forecasting from 3-5 p.m. at FGCU Cape Coral, 1020 Cultural Blvd. S., Unit 3. Cost is $20.
– Wednesday, Sept. 16, 23 and 30: Marketing Series from 6-8:30 p.m. at FGCU Cape Coral, 1020 Cultural Blvd. S., Unit 3. Cost is $99.
– Sept. 12: Fourth Annual Business and Breakfast meeting, formerly Eggs, Grits, and Business, from 9 a.m.-noon at SWFL Enterprise Center, 3903 D. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers. Free.
Online registration and seminar descriptions available at: cli.fgcu.edu/sbdc.
Gulfshore Ballet
There is still time to register for the 2009-10 school year at Gulfshore Ballet, Southwest Florida’s only nonprofit ballet school. An open house week will be held from 4:30-8:45 p.m. Tuesday-Sept. 12 during the first week of classes. For information, call 590-6191 or e-mail office@gulfshoreballet.org.
Senior tutors needed
Senior volunteers, 50 years or older, are needed for tutoring this new school year in elementary schools and head start centers for The Foster Grandparent Program of Southwest Florida. A tax-free stipend of $2.65 per hour and mileage reimbursement of 35 cents per mile is provided for those who qualify. The Dr. Piper Center for Social Services Inc. is located at 1771 Evans Ave. in Fort Myers. For information, call Joan Willoughby at 332-5346 or visit: drpipercenter.org.
Poster contest
In honor of Grandparent’s Day, Shell Point Retirement Community is calling upon children to create a poster to depict the positive aspect of their relationship with their grandparents. All children are invited to enter by creating a poster to illustrate one of the following three topics: What makes my grandparents so special? What do my grandparents mean to me? What have I learned from my grandparents? The official entry form and photo release can be located at: www.shellpoint.org. Entries must arrive no later than 4 p.m. Sept. 18. Entries can be mailed, flat or folded, to Grandparents Poster Contest, Shell Point Welcome Center, 15101 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33908. Posters may also be hand delivered to the same address, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, visit: www.shellpoint.org.
Business & Industry Services
Business and Industry Services is partnering with Greenmind Inc. to provide Green and LEED training at High Tech Center Central, 3800 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers. To register, call 939-6320.
Teacher workshop
Water education for teachers from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 19 at CREW Land & Water Trust, 23998 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Registration required. ProjectWET, Water Education for Teachers, is water-based science education using hands on activities and proven teaching and learning skills. The materials are adaptable for adults and students at all levels. Participants will be introduced to the instructional materials and teaching activities will be demonstrated. Dress comfortably and bring a sack lunch. A $10 refundable registration fee. For information or to register, contact Brenda Thomas at 657-2253 or e-mail bthomas_crew@earthlink.net.
After School Arts Program
The Alliance for the Arts has created an After School Arts Program for students seeking supplementary instruction in visual and performing arts classes. The program is offered for students in first grade through eighth grade and coordinates with the school year calendar running today-Dec. 18. Bus routes will stop at the Alliance for the Arts, on the corner of Colonial and McGregor, and pick up time will be 6 p.m. for parents. Students who do not attend public school are invited to attend as well. For information or to enroll, contact Scott Guelcher, education director, at 939-2787 or e-mail education@artinlee.org.
Hodges University
Registration for the fall term at Hodges University for enrolled and continuing students has begun. Registration began in August. Those interested in attending can call the Fort Myers campus at 482-0019 or the Naples campus at 513-1122 to set up an appointment with the Admissions Department. The fall term begins Sept. 10.
Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy
Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy is accepting 2009-10 enrollments for students with special needs. The academy, a Lee County Charter School for students with developmental disabilities, still has a handful of student openings remaining for the year. L.I.F.E. Academy students who graduate from the school’s Vocational Training Program are guaranteed employment with Goodwill or a community partner for one year. Parents interested in learning more about the school can contact the principal for a meeting to determine how the school can best meet their student’s needs. Call 334-4434 or e-mail lynn@goodwilllifeacademy.org.
Private Pilot Ground School
A Private Pilot Ground School will be offered from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 17 at Cypress Lake High School. Registration will be held at 5:45 p.m. Thursday. Cost is $113 plus a tax. The instructor will guide the student through airplanes and aerodynamics; airplane instruments, engines and systems; airports, air traffic control and airspace; Federal Aviation Regulations; airplane performance, weight and balance; aeromedical factors; aviation weather; aviation weather services; navigation charts, publications and flight computers; radio navigation; and cross country flying. For information, call the instructor Ed Fink at 489-0443. This is a Lee County Adult Community Education Program.