Community Education Programs for Adults embrace the belief in lifelong learning and aim to enhance learning opportunities; empower people and build community. Our programs include: AARP Safe Driver Courses, Adult Enrichment, Adult Recreation & Adult Day Trips. If you've opted in for text messaging, you’ll receive notifications regarding any class updates. To stay informed, please make sure you have opted in for text messaging. Cancellation/Refund Policy: To receive a refund, cancellation requests must be submitted no later than two full business days before the class start date OR by the listed registration deadline.

Community Education offers a variety of Adult Enrichment opportunities including AARP Safe Driver Courses, Adult Technology Classes, Instant Piano & Guitar, Beginner Crochet, Fondant Cake Decorating & Thrivent Financial Workshops.

Community Education offers a variety of Adult Recreation options including Pickleball, Step Aerobics, Line Dancing, Co-Rec Volleyball, Karate, Walking Clubs & Women's Weight Room. If you are interested in teaching an adult recreation class, contact Community Education!

Community Education offers HWY 12 Adult Day Trips in collaboration with the ACGC, Dassel-Cokato & Howard Lake communities.

American Heart Association Blended Learning First Aid CPR AED Options Andrea Michels First Aid and CPR blended learning class requirements. Register for and complete the online training through the American Heart Association. Complete the course survey at the end of the training and print off the certificate of completion to be submitted prior to your skills assessment. Register for and attend a skills assessment through Community Education. Provide the certificate of completion from the online training. You will receive an eCard certification through email following completion of Parts 1 & 2 of the blended learning format. Certificates of completion for Part 1 MUST be provided upon arrival at the skills assessment. Need training for your employees? Give us a call at 320.693.2354 and see what we have available for class dates!

We offer a variety of options including Swim Lessons, Lap Swim, Waves Swim Club, and Certifications. If you've opted in for text messaging, you’ll receive notifications regarding any class updates. To stay informed, please make sure you have opted in for text messaging. Cancellation/Refund Policy: To receive a refund, cancellation requests must be submitted no later than two full business days before the class start date OR by the listed registration deadline.

Lifeguarding Courses Water Safety Instructor Courses

Discovery School is a program for for children ages 2.5 years-4 years old (By September 1, 2025) - 2025-2026 school year class is FULL (register to get on the waitlist) Come discover what preschool is like. This class offers the best of ECFE with a more formal preschool experience. Parents and students will start with 20 minutes of guided Mindful Movement. After which, students and parents will separate. While teachers and students focus on becoming familiar with preschool routines and skills, parents will return to pick-up their child at 10:45am. Tuition $30 per month

2025-26 Dragon Kids Club School Year Care Information (Lake Ripley Elementary) Dragon Kids Club is ISD #465 Community Education & Recreation’s school-age childcare program for children entering grades K-4 for the 2025-2026 school year. We have a professional and caring staff, a variety of enrichment programs, engaging recreational choices, outdoor play, and large and small group games. Join us for some fun at Dragon Kids Club! Call 320.693.2354 for more information. Call Community Education at 320.693.2354 with any questions.

What is Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)? ECFE is a parenting education program for all Minnesota families with children birth to grade 3. The goal of ECFE is to support and enhance the abilities of parents/caregivers, while also providing the best possible environment for their child’s learning and development. Litchfield ECFE employs certified teachers and experienced support staff. The Early Childhood Center is located in the Wagner Education Building 307 E 6th Street, Suite 110 Litchfield, MN 55355

Litchfield Public Schools Preschool is an on-site, all early childhood service combined in the pre-k-grade 3 continuum with Lake Ripley School. We have early childhood licensed teachers and use curriculum and assessment tools approved by the Department of Education. We are a 4-Star Parent Aware program and have beautiful facilities for learning that include a playground and gymnasium at the Wagner Education Building. All preschoolers must be potty-trained prior to attending. Busing Information: Transportation to and from preschool needs to be set up by the parents/guardians of the preschooler. We have a partnership with the Central Community Transit (CCT) to be able to offer busing before and after class for our preschool families for a fee. Our hope is that by providing this convenience it will be easier for families to participate in high quality learning experiences. There are only preschoolers on the bus. If you are interested in more information regarding busing and/or fees for busing, contact CCT or visit https://www.cctbus.org/. Scholarships: There is tuition assistance available to help pay for your child’s tuition if your family financially qualifies. To be considered for a scholarship we need the School’s Educational Benefits Application filled out and returned to the office. There are a limited number of scholarships available. Applying for scholarships is highly encouraged. 2025-2026 School Year Rates: All 2025-2026 preschool classes have been filled. Ms. Teresa - 4 Mornings 1/2 day (ages 4 & 5) $170.00/month Ms. Teresa - 4 Afternoons 1/2 day (ages 4 & 5) $170.00/month Ms. Aimee - 3 Mornings 1/2 day (ages 3 & 4) $145.00/month Ms. Aimee - 2 Mornings 1/2 day (ages 3 & 4) $125.00/month *Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 8:00am.

Special Olympics Unified Sports combine athletes with and without disabilities on the same team. By participating together, Special Olympics Athletes and Unified Partners improve their physical fitness, sharpen their skills, challenge the competition and encourage teamwork. Athletes will attend competitions when possible. These activities are FREE thanks to Unified Team and their Polar Plunge fundraising efforts, as well as our wonderful sponsors. Let us know if you would like to be a sponsor!

*If any classes are full, please register for the waitlist as we may be able to add a 2nd instructor to allow for more registrations from the waitlist. American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Lesson Descriptions: This recognized program is instructed by certified staff. A skills test on the first day of lessons will determine if your child is in the appropriate level. It is not unusual to repeat levels before mastering all the skills. Below you will find the skills taught for each level of lessons. Feel free to call the Community Ed office to check which lessons your child took last year. Baby Swim Lessons Ages 6-23 months Enter & exit the water safely Feel comfortable in the water Experience wearing a life jacket Play safely in the water Submerge & explore breath control & floating on back/front Child must be accompanied by an adult and a swim diaper must be worn. Tot Swim Lessons Ages 2-4 Enter & exit the water safely Submerge in rhythmic pattern Change body position Glide on front/back with aid Experience wearing a life jacket Child must be accompanied by an adult. A swim diaper must be worn if child is not potty-trained. Preschool Level A (Recommended for Ages 4-5) This will be your child’s first lesson without an adult. Introduction to basic skills that will lay the foundation for future skill development. Enter/exit water safely Roll to back & float for 3 seconds Submerge mouth & blow bubbles for 3 seconds Glide on front for at least two body lengths Swim at least 5 yards Preschool Level B (Recommended for Ages 4-5) Build on skills taught in Preschool Level A. For students who are not afraid in the water & have had lessons on their own before. Step from side into chest-deep water Move into a front float for 5 seconds, rolling to back Push off & use combined arm/leg actions on front for 5 body lengths Roll to back, float for 15 seconds, roll to front & continue for 5 body lengths Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills (Recommended for Ages 6+) Enter/exit water safely Submerge mouth, nose & eyes Open eyes under water, retrieve submerged item Use life jacket · Float on front/back Exhale underwater through mouth & nose Explore arm/hand movements Basic water safety rules Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills Rotary breathing Swim on front & back using combined arm and leg actions, 5 body lengths Back float for 15 seconds Front, jellyfish, & tuck floats, 10 seconds Change direction of travel while on front and back NEWLY ADDED Level 2B: Fundamental Aquatic Skills Tread water for 30 seconds Back float for 30 seconds Rotary breathing Intro to flutter, scissors, breaststroke & dolphin kicks Change from horizontal to vertical position on front & back Front and back crawl & elementary backstroke Level 3: Stroke Development Side deep water jump Survival float Fully submerged head bob Retrieve submerged item Kneeling/standing dive Reaching assist Horizontal rotary breathing Front/back crawl/glide Butterfly kick HELP/Huddle position Emergency Check-Call-Care Switch from horizontal/vertical to front/back Level 4: Stroke Improvement Shallow, stride position or feet-first surface dives Swim underwater Tread water using sculling arm motions & kick Front/back crawl Throwing assist Safe diving Front/back open turns Conscious choking victim care Breaststroke/butterfly Elementary backstroke Scissors kick on side Compact jump from a height, wearing a life jacket Level 5: Stroke Refinement Tread 2 different kicks Front/backstroke flip turns Standing-tuck/pike surface dives Survival swimming Rescue breathing Butterfly, breaststroke, sidestroke Front/back crawl, elementary backstroke Shallow dive, glide 2 body lengths into front stroke Level 6: Swimming & Skill Proficiency Options that focus on preparing to participate in advance courses like Water Safety Instructor & Lifeguard Training. Individual needs are determined on the first day.