Summertime in Boulder constitutes sunshine-filled afternoons, craft beer-laden patios, outdoor concerts, mountain excursions, and much more. Yes, it’s a time for relaxation, but those long leisurely summer days are often also catalysts to filling that free time with new experiences and active learning.
It’s part of Boulder’s entrepreneurial identity that its citizens are constantly looking for new hobbies and adventures and, catering to that motivation to have new experiences, the city doesn’t disappoint. With unique and interesting opportunities to teach their crafts and expand minds and skills, Boulder’s businesses give you the chance to pick a new interest, any interest, and charge ahead. Whether you’re looking to get your kids involved in the outdoors or personally for a new crafty hobby, there is an educational program, workshop, or class in Boulder for you.
Here are a few of the unique opportunities available to Boulderites to get involved in and learn about during the remainder of the summer.
Master Chef in Training
If you’ve been looking to up your game in the kitchen, Boulder is a creative culinary capital where there are opportunities galore to learn about flavor combinations and cooking techniques. Head over to Food Lab on Pearl Street and take advantage of their jam-packed class schedule. With multiple sessions each week ranging from sushi rolling to Thai cooking to healthy weeknight meal options and more, no matter what food skill you’re looking to learn, Food Lab can teach it to you.
After you’ve honed your new dinner skills, gain extra credit by whipping up some delectable chocolate desserts. Piece, Love & Chocolate, a local Boulder favorite and staple, imparts its divine chocolate wisdom to class-goers multiple times a month. Between now and the end of August, sign up to learn how to make chocolate soufflé, flourless chocolate cake, éclairs, chocolate lava cakes, and more!
Hone a Hobby
Whether you have an itch to try your hand at painting or would like to introduce your family to creative expression, Boulder is an especially vibrant place in which to expand your knowledge of art.
Boulder’s youth can get an extended introduction into various art forms at the Sunflower Kids Art Studio here in town with weeklong summer camps with spots still available for registration in August. From the Wild Jungle class from August 1st – 5th to the Favorite Masterpieces class from August 8th – 12th and the shorter duration Creative Drawing class from August 15th – 17th, local kids can learn about painting, drawing, form, and more.
The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) likewise still has summer sessions available to register for this August. Check out their Phone Photography class from August 11th – 15th to learn how to use your smartphone to snap top knotch spur of the moment photos and selfies that are truly works of art.
A place where both adults and kids can get in on the fun, check out PoshSplat and their instructor-led painting classes held nearly every day of the week. From youth-specific painting sessions to public adult classes (where beer, wine, and champagne is available for purchase), PoshSplat allows you to hone your artistic skills, enjoy an evening out, and create a lasting finished piece for your home.
Athletic Adventures
If you’ve been sweating it out and beating the heat this summer and are looking for a new athletic challenge, look no further than FractalTribe. A collection of local performers, athletes, and artists, FractalTribe offers weekly classes on athletic endeavors from mastering the art of the handstand to getting an introduction to acrobatics and more, giving you an opportunity to turn your hard work into impressive and agile performance art.
For nature-inspired hikes and outings and to learn more about the local Boulder ecosystem, there are a wealth of Nature Hikes and Programs offered by the City of Boulder and Open Space and Mountain Parks to give you a glimpse into our city’s natural habitat. From kid-specific beginner fishing classes to instructor-led hikes and nature drawing classes, these programs not only teach you valuable skills, but also about our community.
Enriching Education
If summer is a time when you revel in curling up on the couch or lounging by the pool with your favorite book in hand, checking out summer events happening at the historic Boulder Book Store is for you. From new book release parties to author readings to signings to book clubs and more, the Boulder Book Store is a wonderful resource to expand your literary horizons throughout the summer.
Invest in yourself, your interests, and your goals this summer and take advantage of the wealth of learning that Boulder offers to its adventurous, knowledge-hungry citizens!
