Classes, presentations and virtual adventures abound

Are you looking for an escape, or a fun adventure? If you answered "yes!" then we've got you.  Our award-winning "Adventures in VR" program has plenty of offerings to keep you entertained, bring joy and wonder to your life, and improve your outlook as you share these experiences with others and talk about them.

After researching the emerging use of virtual reality in health care, in October 2022 the District launched “Adventures in VR,” teaching digital literacy and helping older adults get up to speed on the latest technology while having fun, meeting people and sharing experiences as a group. Since that time, more than 500 people have participated in virtual reality classes, with an age range of 22-94, and 96 percent responded in a survey that they “strongly” enjoyed the experience. (Ages 13 and up welcome!)

Studies have shown VR can improve quality of life and a sense of well-being in older adults by reducing loneliness, addressing depression and reducing barriers to socialization through common experiences. Read more about that in the study “Impact of Virtual Reality Experience on Older Adults’ Well Being” published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Design and Management and MIT AgeLab.

A multiyear study involving Stanford University tested virtual reality in 16 senior communities across 10 states. Eight out of 10 seniors (and the clinical staff, who also participated) reported an improvement in mood.

"Shared experiences in VR, like revisiting a senior's hometown or traveling to a place they've always wanted to see, can stimulate greater communication, bridge emotional gaps, and create deeper bonds," Chris Brickler, CEO of Mynd Immersive, said in an article about the study.

So now you may be asking yourself, "How do I get started with VR and what experiences are available to me?" Dive in with us:

Adventures in VR classes

INTRODUCTORY LEVEL

Nature Treks:

(individual class, intro level -- at least one intro class is required to go on to intermediate level.)

Explore the natural world, choosing different settings in nature at night or during the day, with music or soothing sounds of nature, and encountering 20 different animals, including dinosaurs, tigers, elephants and giraffes, or spend your time meditating in nature. If this is your first time using Oculus/Meta 2 virtual reality headsets and controllers, no worries. We’ll spend 20-25 minutes showing you how to use them, plus discussing the benefits of VR. The next 50 minutes will be spent enjoying our adventures before we all chat about our experiences and document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport. To register, call 805-388-1952.

10-11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16

10-11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12

2-3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4

Cost: $5 per class (non-district residents add $4)

Ocean Rift:

(individual class, intro level -- at least one intro class is required to go on to intermediate level.)

Explore the ocean as a virtual scuba diver getting introduced to and learning about the different sea creatures, from Great White Sharks, Beluga and Humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions to sea snakes and the now-extinct Pliosaurus and Mosasaurus aquatic lizards. If this is your first time using Oculus/Meta 2 virtual reality headsets and controllers, we will teach you. We’ll spend 20-25 minutes showing you how to use them, plus discussing the benefits of VR. The next 50 minutes will be spent enjoying our adventures before we all chat about our experiences and document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport. Call 805-388-1952 to register.

10-11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9

2-3:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24

2-3:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14

10-11:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12

Cost: $5 per class (non-district residents add $4)

Family & Friends VR Night:

(individual class, intro level -- at least one intro class is required to go on to intermediate level.) 

Join us for an evening VR class and bring along the family. We provide the equipment and teach you how to use it using the application "First Steps." Next, choose either to explore the natural world using "Nature Treks" or become a virtual scuba diver using "Ocean Rift." This is an hour of fun for the whole family (13 and older), friends night out or after-work with your colleagues!

5:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11

Cost: $5 (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CLASSES

After taking one or two introductory classes, you may sign up for our Intermediate Level class.

BRINK Traveler: POSTCARD-INSPIRED NATURAL LANDSCAPES

Visit Horseshoe Bend, Colorado; Mount Morrison, California; White Pocket, Arizona; Mount Whitney in Lone Pine, California' Alabama Hills in California; Arches National Park in Moab, Utah; the north and south side of Death Valley National Park straddling the California-Nevada border; Crystal Crag, a dramatic and rugged mass of rock south of Yosemite, plus many other locations, followed by discussion and optional journaling in our Adventures in VR passport.

1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17

Cost: $10 (single class) (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

Alcove: world traveler 

So you’ve completed one of our Intro VR classes or you already have experience in VR, then you’re invited to join our intermediate class "Alcove: World Traveler." Choose your mode of transportation: a convertible sportscar for a U.S. road trip, Las Vegas to Ventura, and eight other trips; take a hot-air balloon and view Kenya and the Swiss Alps from the sky; or hop on a double-decker bus for a guided tour of Washington, D.C., Paris, Tokyo, Dubai, Rome and  many other places across the globe. We’ll discuss the benefits of VR, chat about our experiences and document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport.

10-11:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19

Cost: $10 (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

Wander:

Go wherever your heart desires, whether the address of your childhood home, your college campus, the streets of your hometown, a tropical or historical destination, somewhere you’ve always wanted to explore or return to a favorite vacation spot to bring back those memories. We’ll discuss the benefits of VR and participate in a post-survey, chat about our experiences and document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport.

2-3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5

Cost: $10 (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

National Geographic's Explore VR:

Jump into a kayak and traverse the waters in Antarctica while on a faux photo assignment for National Geographic. Search for a lost emperor penguin colony and then climb an iceberg to base camp. At base camp, you'll set up for the cold, blistery night. Alternatively, travel virtually to Machu Pichu, Peru, where you'll see llamas and learn about the ancient ruins.

2-3:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

7 wonders of the world:

Visit the 7 Wonders of the World in VR: The Colosseum in Rome; The Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India; Christ the Redeemer in Brazil; Machu Picchu, Peru; Chichen Itza, Mexico; and Petra, Jordan.  This is an intermediate class. You must have taken the introductory class "Nature Treks" or "Ocean Rift" to join. Document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport.

2-3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 20.

You can explore the AirPano immersive videos using the YouTube VR application in Independent Adventures.

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

Cost: $10 (non-district residents add $4)

Independent Adventures:

So you’ve completed one of our Intro VR classes or you already have experience in VR, then you’re invited to join our intermediate class Independent Adventures, where the world is your oyster. In Independent Adventures, you’ll be assigned a VR headset with pre-loaded apps. You can choose virtual travel, guided Tai Chi or meditation, cook in a virtual kitchen, go on "photo assignment" in Antarctica or Machu Picchu, Peru, experience heightened senses with Notes on Blindness, or snorkel or hangout in nature with animals. There are also musical concerts, brain training exercises, movie shorts, and more! A staff member will be available to help troubleshoot any issues with the equipment or apps, or give you tips and tricks on navigating to the place you want to go. Below is a small list of some of the applications you can explore in Independent Adventures.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

JURASSIC WORLD:

Join our interest list or explore this application in Independent Adventures (dates/times below)

Follow Blue, a highly intelligent velociraptor as she fights to survive the tumultuous island of Isla Nublar. Experience heightened senses as Blue encounters threats of epic proportions. After you choose “Blue” and click “Play,” you’ll find Blue napping. She wakes up and starts to walk path in the jungle. But then she runs off and you may wonder why. A beautiful butterfly enters the scene, followed by a baby dinosaur. Blue returns to see what’s going on and engage with the creature, but a flying dinosaur grabs the baby. Blue defends her, but then a volcano erupts, covering the area in dirt and dust. Once the debris clears, Blue wanders around the jungle. But something is lurking right around the corner … It’s a T Rex and a battle ensues. But don’t worry. Blue survives. Try other VR applications, too. There will be plenty of time.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

vr concert series:

Join our interest list or explore this application in Independent Adventures (dates/times below)

Join us for an opportunity to rock or mellow out, get down, or go country during a concert in Horizon Worlds or YouTube. Pick your genre, favorite band or singer.  This is an intermediate class. You must have taken the introductory class "Nature Treks" or "Ocean Rift" to join.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

for thrill seekers only:

Join our interest list or explore this application in Independent Adventures (dates/times below)

Thrill seekers are invited go on a roller coaster ride, skydiving or stand at the brink of a cliff while looking at the horizon in three different VR applications: Roller Coaster, YouTube and BRINK Traveler. This is an intermediate class. You must have taken the introductory class "Nature Treks" or "Ocean Rift" to join through Independent Adventures.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

underwater adventures:

Join our interest list or explore this application in Independent Adventures (dates/times below)

Explore the deep blue sea. Go scuba diving virtually in the Philippines, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Pacific Ocean and other locations while encountering majestic sea creatures during your adventure. You must have taken the introductory class "Nature Treks" or "Ocean Rift" to join through Independent Adventures.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

scenic hot air balloon tours:

Join our interest list or explore this application in Independent Adventures (dates/times below)

Go up, up and away in this immersive 3-D video experience of hot air balloon rides in different locations around the world. You must have taken the introductory class "Nature Treks" or "Ocean Rift" to join through Independent Adventures.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

Guided Tai Chi:

Join our interest list or explore this application in Independent Adventures (dates/times below)

Choose "Tutorial" (5 minutes) to learn the movements, and then immerse yourself in the 3-minute "Arcade." Select your flow, such as Energized, Joyful, Relaxation, Spontaneous, Courage or Flourish. Then choose six environments in nature among 20 available to practice Tai Chi while relazing and connecting with your mind, body and spirit. Each session is about four minutes. Do as many as you wish to reach a full hour.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

SPACE INVASION:

Join our interest list or explore this application in Independent Adventures (dates/times below)

From the director of Madagascar and narrated by Ethan Hawke, comes a colorful VR story about Mac and Cheez, two bumbling aliens with grand ambitions to take over the world. Instead, they are thwarted by two adorable bunnies. Try other VR applications, too. There will be plenty of time.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.

CURIOUS CASE OF THE STOLEN PETS:

Join our interest list or explore this application in Independent Adventures (dates/times below)

Help your “grandfather” solve the mystery of the stolen pets by solving puzzles in dreamy, miniature worlds. Every world is unique, full of interactions and colorful life. In the first scenario, you’ll visit your summer house. Earn points as you find the pets hidden throughout this magical compound nestled high in the sky, touching the clouds and surrounded by flowers and a trees, with butterflies soaring around. Shake a bush, look in a teacup, unlock a treasure chest, where you’ll find one of the pets – a bunny! Open hidden doors, collect coins and more. Many surprises await. Next, take the train to the mountains and look for the missing pets in Grandpa’s next dream. Find hidden treasures beneath the snow. Is that a hair dryer? Melt the snow to reveal the green grass. Where do you think the pets are hiding to keep warm? Maybe inside a snowman?  There is so much fun and adventure in store for you with this application.

10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26

10-11 a.m.. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4)

Call 805-388-1952 to register.