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2. VOLUNTEER AS A MUSEUM DOCENT Have an interest in history or archaeology? How about art or hands-on science? Consider teaching others as a docent at a museum, zoo or historic site. Len
Maynard, 59, joined as a volunteer docent with the San José Museum of Art during COVID-19, when she lived nearby. “Being a docent is the best of both worlds, because it gives you an
opportunity to deepen your learning and meet new people — and you’re also helping other people learn,” says Maynard, who remains active as an online tour guide and docent cochair for the
museum, despite her recent move to Montana. Worried you might not be qualified? Most institutions offer docents thorough training. Maynard spent a year in training, deepening her already
strong understanding of art and art history. Yet the course was accessible enough that even class members who had no art background came away feeling confident about leading tours, she says.
3. BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST Increase your understanding of animal science, nature or history by answering the call for citizen science volunteers. Help count birds in the Audubon
Society’s annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Monitor water quality in a lake or stream. Participate in archaeology digs at historic sites. Find projects in your area seeking volunteers at
Citizenscience.gov/catalog. 4. DISCOVER YOUR GREEN THUMB Have your relationships with plants always ended in failure? Make this the year you conquer your gardening fears. Sign up for a
low-cost flower maintenance workshop at an area arboretum or garden club, or learn planting skills through a nearby master gardener program. 5. TAP INTO ART LESSONS WITH YOUR PARKS
DEPARTMENT When you think parks and recreation, you may envision playgrounds or city tennis courts. But many also offer extensive schedules of free and low-cost arts classes — from painting
and photography to instrumental music, dance and more. Nandita Godbole, 51, has taken affordable pottery classes offered by her parks and recreation department in Roswell, Georgia, for the
past year. In the process, the professional cookbook author gained an exciting skill — as well as a chance for self-care. “I signed up for pottery as a way to learn something new and not get
stagnant, but the studio became this therapeutic place for me,” Godbole says. “You’re forced to disconnect from your phone and focus on what your hands are doing. Through pottery, I’ve
found creativity and peace. It’s been a wonderful way to make time for myself.”