Personal Enrichment
Community Programs
Johnston Community College offers fun Community Program courses for individuals - 16 years of age and older - who are seeking personal enrichment opportunities.
Course offerings are designed to meet the wants and needs of the community, and the list continues to grow.
- Discover a new hobby.
- Learn a new language.
- Improve your baking skills.
- Explore everything from creative arts to personal enrichment.
Course Information
Beginning Beekeeping
Discover the art of beekeeping and learn how to care for your own hive! This entry-level class is perfect for anyone curious about honey bees—no experience required.
Even experienced beekeepers can benefit from brushing up on skills and building confidence.
You’ll explore:
How to select and use beekeeping equipment
Bee life cycles and colony care
Identifying and managing pests and diseases
Swarm control and seasonal maintenance
Honey harvesting and hive inspections
The class includes hands-on training in the JCC apiary with active bee colonies. Protective clothing is required, but your instructor will explain what to purchase during the first class.
Location: JCC Cleveland Center, 9046 Cleveland Road, Clayton, NC
Fee: $125
Certified Beekeeper Option
This class also prepares you to take the Certified Beekeeper exam through the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association (NCSBA). Certification is optional but a great way to demonstrate your skills and commitment to beekeeping.
To become a Certified Beekeeper, you must:
Join the NCSBA – Become a current member of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.
Pass the Written Exam – The test is offered through local NCSBA chapters or at statewide conferences and testing events.
Gain Experience – Have at least four months of hands-on beekeeping experience.
Pass the Practical Exam – Complete a hands-on evaluation with a Certified Level Beekeeper or higher after passing the written test.
Learn how to bake and decorate a delicious cake completely from scratch! In this fun, hands-on class, you’ll take part in live demonstrations and practice step-by-step techniques for baking a perfect cake and decorating it with buttercream icing.
You’ll explore:
How to read and follow a basic cake recipe
Cake baking tips for texture and flavor
Buttercream mixing, coloring, and piping techniques
Basic cake decorating designs and finishing touches
Requirements
Before class begins, review the Cooking Class Safety and Sanitation Guidelines (PDF) and follow them during all classes.
Conversational Spanish – Level I
Build your confidence speaking Spanish in everyday situations! This beginner-friendly class focuses on practical conversation skills rather than grammar, helping you communicate effectively with the growing Hispanic community.
You’ll explore:
Basic Spanish words and common phrases
Pronunciation and conversational techniques
Listening and speaking practice through oral exercises
Conversational Spanish II
Prerequisite: Conversational Spanish – Level I
Continue building your Spanish communication skills in this engaging, hands-on class. Designed as a continuation of Level I, you’ll strengthen your pronunciation, expand your vocabulary, and gain confidence speaking in real-world conversations.
You’ll explore:
Advanced conversational techniques
Expanded word phrases and sentence structures
Pronunciation improvement
Oral practice and interactive exercises
Required Textbook For Both Courses
Spanish Now, Level 1 (Eighth Edition) by Silverstein and Wood
ISBN-13: 978-0-4380-7523-5
Available for purchase at the Jaguar Junction Bookstore.
Explore your love for food in a fun, hands-on environment!
JCC’s cooking classes are designed for everyone—from beginners learning basic kitchen skills to couples enjoying a date night or experienced home cooks looking to refine their techniques.
Requirements
Before class begins, review the Cooking Class Safety and Sanitation Guidelines (PDF) and follow them during all classes.
Picture Framing: Readymades I
Learn the art of picture framing in this beginner-friendly class—perfect for anyone interested in framing photos, diplomas, watercolors, or other works on paper. No prior experience is needed!
You’ll explore:
How to frame artwork using readymade (store-bought) frames
Measuring artwork and hand-cutting mats
Selecting mat colors and designing framed pieces
Cutting and safely handling glass
Fitting, closing, and wiring frames for a professional, ready-to-hang finish
Fee: $75
In the Garden Series: Vegetable
Grow your gardening skills with this 6-week class focused on the essentials of vegetable gardening. You’ll learn how to prepare soil, choose and care for vegetables, manage weeds, and identify common pests and plant diseases.
This class combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning in the JCC Arboretum, giving you real experience starting and maintaining a vegetable garden.
You’ll explore:
Soil preparation and planting basics
Selecting and caring for vegetables
Weed management and pest control
Identifying and preventing common plant diseases
Location: JCC Arboretum at 1240 E. Market St. Smithfield, NC 27577
Length: 6 weeks
Acrylic Painting Strategies
Discover your creativity and learn how to paint with acrylics! This beginner-friendly class is perfect if you’ve always wanted to paint but didn’t know where to start. No prior painting or drawing experience is required.
You’ll explore:
The elements and principles of design
Using color theory to create harmony in your artwork
Planning and composing a strong painting
Practicing brushstroke techniques for texture and depth
Modifying photographs for artistic inspiration
Knowing when your painting is truly done!
Fee: $130
Location - Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at the JCC Arboretum at 1240 E. Market St. Smithfield, NC 27577
French Macarons
Master the delicate art of French macarons in this fun, hands-on class! You’ll learn how to prepare French-method macarons, set up and sanitize your workstation, and use a digital food scale for precise measurements. Get ready for a fully immersive, action-packed day of baking fun!
You’ll explore:
Preparing macaron batter using the French method
Measuring ingredients accurately with a food scale
Setting up and sanitizing your workstation
Baking and assembling macarons with flavorful fillings
Royal Icing Cookies
Create beautifully decorated sugar cookies in this interactive class! You’ll learn how to prepare cookie dough using the creaming method, make royal icing, and apply decorative finishes to your baked creations.
You’ll explore:
Mixing sugar cookie dough and royal icing
Decorating cookies with custom royal icing designs
Proper workstation setup and sanitation
Using a food scale for accurate preparation
Get ready for a fully hands-on baking experience that’s as fun as it is delicious!
Requirements
Before class begins, review the Cooking Class Safety and Sanitation Guidelines (PDF) and follow them during all classes.
Location - Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at the JCC Arboretum at 1240 E. Market St. Smithfield, NC 27577.
Sewing: Sew Ezee - Sewing Basics
Learn the essentials of sewing in this 6-week beginner class designed to build a lifelong skill you can use for fun or professionally. You’ll get hands-on experience using a sewing machine, reading patterns, and creating simple, practical projects like aprons, pillow covers, placemats, and pajama pants.
You’ll explore:
Understanding the parts and functions of a sewing machine
Learning sewing terminology and basic techniques
Identifying and using essential sewing tools
Laying out and cutting fabric from a pattern
Completing a variety of sewing projects from start to finish
Introduction to Basic Sign Language for the Beginner
Bridge the communication gap and learn how to connect with members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. This beginner class introduces you to entry-level sign language skills that you can use to communicate with family, friends, and others in daily life.
You’ll explore:
Learning basic sign language vocabulary and phrases
Practicing simple sentences and conversational signs
Developing confidence communicating with the deaf community
Understanding deaf awareness and communication etiquette
Intro to Basic Sign Language II
Continue building your sign language skills in this follow-up class designed for students who have completed the beginner course. You’ll expand your vocabulary, learn new phrases, and practice constructing more complex sentences through hands-on communication activities.
You’ll explore:
Reviewing and reinforcing foundational vocabulary
Learning new signs, phrases, and expressions
Building confidence in signing full sentences
Practicing through interactive exercises and peer communication
Earn your ServSafe Certification, a nationally recognized credential in safe food handling and sanitation. This class is ideal for anyone working in food service or hospitality who wants to strengthen their knowledge of proper food safety practices and meet industry standards.
You’ll explore:
Food safety and sanitation best practices
Proper food handling, storage, and preparation
Preventing foodborne illnesses
Meeting health and safety regulations
Certification:
Students who successfully complete the class will earn the ServSafe Certification, recognized nationwide for food handling safety.
Requirements:
Review the Technical Standards for this course (PDF) before registering.
Purchase the ServSafe Manager 7.0 with Answer Sheet from the Jaguar Junction Bookstore before the first class meets and bring it to both class meetings.
Attendance is required at both back-to-back Friday class meetings for your course section.
Location: JCC Workforce Development Center 135 Best Wood Drive Clayton, NC 27520.
Register for Available Courses
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The Community Programs are offered as a self-supporting course. Self-supporting courses are not eligible for a refund as these programs are funded by registration fees collected. Students are eligible for a 100-percent refund if the classes are cancelled by the College.
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If you have a course suggestion, want to be notified about upcoming classes, or are
interested in teaching a community program, complete the the Interest Form.
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JCC Community Programs
