QUICK LINKS — OLLI home page | OLLI digital catalog home | Questions? Email olli-online@udel.edu
UD OLLI Summer Selections: June 22 – July 25, 2026
Five weeks of fun topics, short courses and field trips — Priority registration May 11-22 — REGISTER NOW!
Use the dropdowns below to view available offerings by day of the week, category, or other filters.
View all updated or canceled courses | Clear form/view all courses
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 22, 2026 to July 20, 2026
Monday at 9:00 AM
Join us for a cooperative workshop for art students of all levels and mediums. Exchange ideas and gain knowledge and new perspectives from fellow artists. Students should bring their own art supplies, reference materials and setup.
Taught by: Peter Feeney, Nancy Horan
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Additional fee: $25 lab fee to cover the cost of materials. Students learn the Tiffany method of stained glass creations. They design a pattern, cut glass, grind, foil and solder a project. This course is open to beginners and advanced artists. The instructor must approve all projects. Closed-toe shoes are required. No sandals or flip-flops should be worn. Please note additional fee mentioned above.
Taught by: Bette Kaupa, Rodney Lau, Paul Puch
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Learn the fundamentals of basket weaving in this hands-on course. During the first class, participants will create a coaster while gaining essential weaving techniques. In subsequent sessions, you will design and complete a trivet or small basket, building on the skills introduced.
All supplies for the first class will be provided. A $7 materials fee (cash) is payable to the instructor at the first session. Participants will need to purchase additional yarn after the initial class. Ongoing guidance and instruction will be provided throughout the course.
Taught by: Loren Hubbell
Lewes (off site, Cinema Art Theater): June 23, 2026 to July 14, 2026
Tuesday at 2:30 PM
In this weekly series, guest hosts will introduce a movie of their choosing, show the movie on the big screen at the Cinema Art Theater in Lewes, and lead a post-movie discussion. Movie themes: to be determined.
Taught by: Martin Rosensweig
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
The Civil War, the most violent and traumatic episode in U.S. history, resulted in some 720,000 deaths. It is the defining moment of the Republic. July 1863, the 87th anniversary of the nation’s founding, was the most significant month of the four-year conflict: Vicksburg fell to Grant, the Union Army defeated Lee at Gettysburg, racially driven draft riots erupted in New York City and the heroic bravery of the all-black 54th Massachusetts at Fort Wagner dramatically changed prejudicial preconceptions.
Taught by: James Patterson
Location changed and hybrid/online section added since catalog publication.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): July 1, 2026 to July 2, 2026
Wednesday, Thursday at 10:45 AM
Spanning more than 5,000 years, Egyptian history is special and marked by pyramids, tombs, mummies and more, including the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza in Egypt. The instructor describes a two-week trip up the Nile from Cairo to Aswan, featuring side trips to Luxor and Abu Simbel, amazing sites and sights. Students view a glorious photographic tour that is the next best thing to being there.
Taught by: Larry Meinert
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 23, 2026 to July 14, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
During the first two sessions, this class covers the handling of thousands of the Civil War dead; the disruption of Victorian death practices; and the federal attempt to locate, identify, recover, rebury and mark the graves in newly created national cemeteries. The second two sessions explore the creation, selection process, training and field use of the sharpshooter units in both armies.
Taught by: Ray Glick
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 23, 2026 to July 21, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Participants explore and discuss the following poems by Robert Frost: Desert Places, At Woodward’s Gardens, Neither Out Far nor in Deep, The Wood-Pile and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening as well as Pigeon Feathers, a short story by John Updike. These two American ironists plumb experiences of profound spiritual crisis to deeply curious effect. Please read At Woodward’s Gardens and Neither Out Far nor in Deep in preparation for our first class meeting.
Taught by: William Zak
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Required text: Identical Misfortune, Richard Zappa, ISBN 979-8-697031-04-02. This course introduces participants to novel writing, covering the fundamentals of storytelling, genre, plot, characters, narration and dialogue. To facilitate discussion, participants should read and bring to each session the novel, Identical Misfortune, which is available for purchase on Amazon, and will be used as a teaching aid. This course is designed for anyone who has an interest in writing a novel or memoir.
Taught by: Richard Zappa
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 22, 2026 to July 20, 2026
Monday at 10:45 AM
This course is for those who want to cut through the hyperbole, fear, and today’s news headlines, and gain a sound, long-term perspective on artificial intelligence (AI). Topics will include: What is AI? What are the potential ways it can benefit and harm society and individuals? How will the technology evolve from here? What is the role of Public Policy, whether to encourage its growth or constrain it from causing harm? What are the implications of AI use by military and security forces?
Taught by: Jeff Alger
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 23, 2026 to July 21, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
Have you ever wanted to decipher Russian, Ukrainian or other Cyrillic-based languages? In this fun and approachable class, students learn to recognize and read the Cyrillic alphabet step by step. The instructor shares letter sounds, common patterns and practical tips to help participants quickly begin decoding signs, names and simple texts. Students also learn how to use tools such as Google Translate more effectively by entering Cyrillic text, unlocking a whole new world of language exploration.
Taught by: Harry Banks
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 24, 2026 to July 22, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
Live near the beach? It’s time to learn more about Delaware’s #1 natural treasure – sea glass! In this all-new series, participants discover 28 tips to improve their odds of finding sea glass in Delaware, the secrets of shard identification, stories of amazing sea glass colors, and what to look for when sea glass isn’t found. Students share their favorite finds during each session. The instructor plans a day trip to look for sea glass on an undisclosed Delaware beach!
Taught by: David Liemer
Rehoboth, Del.: July 11, 2026 to July 25, 2026
Saturday at 8:30 AM
Members will meet at the north end of the Rehoboth Boardwalk at 8:30 a.m. on 3 Saturday mornings in July (7/11, 7/18, 7/25). We will stroll the mile-long
boardwalk together and enjoy the sights and sounds of the shore. We will make it back in time to move our cars before the parking restrictions go into
effect at 10:00 a.m. There are plenty of benches for those who wish to stop along the way; however, the group will walk back and forth within an hour.
Taught by: Monica Browne
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): July 15, 2026 to July 22, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
We’ll discuss the differences between natural mined diamonds and lab-grown diamonds. We’ll explore the differences between the two and discuss if your next diamond should be lab grown.
Taught by: Lee Kuperstein
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): July 6, 2026 to July 13, 2026
Monday at 10:45 AM
Navigate the “alphabet soup” of Medicare with a clear breakdown of Parts A, B, C and D. This course simplifies the 2026 landscape, including the new $2,100 prescription drug cap and Delaware’s “Birthday Rule” (SB 71), which allows participants to switch Medigap plans annually without medical history checks. Learn to compare Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement plans, identify predatory marketing and use that birthday window to lower costs.
Taught by: John Lopez
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): July 14, 2026 to July 21, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
We discuss the benefits of appraisals and where to get jewelry appraised. The instructor also shares whether it’s best to insure jewelry through a homeowners or renter’s policy or through a carrier that specializes in jewelry insurance.
Taught by: Lee Kuperstein
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 22, 2026 to July 20, 2026
Monday at 9:00 AM
Have you ever been approached with a fraudulent offer or been a victim of identity theft? The AARP Fraud Watch Network is working to empower you in the fight, with proven resources and tools to help you spot and avoid identity theft and fraud. By taking a few practical steps, you have the power to fight back against fraud. This 30-minute session will arm you with the latest data on fraud trends and provide tips and resources to protect yourself and your family.
Taught by: Dave Reedy
Course added since catalog publication.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 22, 2026 to June 22, 2026
Monday at 9:00 AM
In one of nature’s remarkable sights, day turns to night as the Moon passes in front of the Sun, blotting out the Sun’s brilliance and exposing the beautiful solar corona. Stars and planets appear as the sky darkens, animals react in strange ways, and many humans will travel miles to see a rare occurrence, as the shadow of the Moon passes across planet Earth. See how and when to safely see solar eclipses, how eclipses occur, how the phases of the Moon determine what type of eclipse we see, and how our small Moon can completely eclipse our enormous Sun. We will also highlight the details of this August’s total solar eclipse, visible in Iceland where a group of OLLI members will be traveling, and visible here in Delaware as a partial solar eclipse.
Taught by: Jim O’Leary
Lewes (Moorings at Lewes): July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2026
Wednesday at 3:00 PM
Participants learn how wine is made and how to identify what they like and don’t like. By tasting several wine pairings, participants see, smell and taste the differences. Different people like different wines, so there is no right answer to which is the best. What you like is what you like! In addition to the wine, water and bread-as-palate-cleanser are supplied.
Held at The Moorings in Lewes.
Additional fee: $20 materials fee.
Required materials: Each participant must bring three stemmed wine glasses.
Taught by: Larry Meinert
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): July 22, 2026 to July 22, 2026
Wednesday at 10:00 AM
This is a one-time lecture that focuses on caregiving.
No matter where you are in the journey of family caregiving – just beginning to anticipate a need, helping to coordinate a big move, or taking care of a family member full-time – having a good framework to help guide both you and your loved one will make the process easier.
During this session, we will share a framework to help you make plans to care for friends, family members, or loved ones. You will have the opportunity to connect with other family caregivers, exchange tips and advice, and learn about resources available to you and your loved ones.
Taught by: Tracey Marino
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Combat Jump chronicles the first large-scale airborne invasion by American forces during the assault on Sicily in July 1943. The operation served as a critical test for the newly formed U.S. airborne units and was led by 36-year-old James M. Gavin in his first combat action.
Taught by: Ed Rugerro
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 25, 2026 to June 25, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
This lively lecture focuses on the origins of the Red Cross and its current structure. This is the perfect opportunity to learn what the Red Cross is and what it does. The instructor explains the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and National Societies.
Taught by: Timothy Downey
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
Coastal Concerts presents a classical music experience that delves into the background of guest artists, their instruments and the music they are performing. This session highlights Alkemie, comprised of singer-performers playing two dozen instruments including vielles, harps, psaltery, scheitholt, recorders, dulcians, bagpipes and percussion. They describe themselves as travelers to the intersections of medieval and Renaissance court, cloister and folk music. Participants receive a free ticket to a Coastal Concert of their choosing.
Taught by: Tracey Marino
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): June 23, 2026 to June 23, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
Coastal Concerts presents a classical music experience that delves into the background of guest artists, their instruments, and the music they are performing. A complimentary ticket for a future performance will be given to each of the participants in this course. This session will highlight the Beijing Guitar Duo.
Taught by: Tracey Marino
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): July 14, 2026 to July 14, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
Coastal Concerts presents a classical music experience that delves into the background of guest artists, their instruments, and the music they are performing. A complimentary ticket will be given to each of the participants in this course. This session will highlight pianist, Awadagin Pratt.
Taught by: Tracey Marino
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): July 16, 2026 to July 16, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
Coastal Concerts presents a classical music experience that delves into the background of guest artists, their instruments, and the music they are performing. A complimentary ticket will be given to each of the participants in this course. This session will highlight The American String Quartet. The American String Quartet is a renowned ensemble that has been celebrated for its exceptional performances and innovative programming since 1974.
Taught by: Tracey Marino
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Delaware
OLLI is an academic cooperative for adults 50 and over to enjoy classes, teach, exchange ideas and socialize together, with no exams or educational requirements for participation. OLLI welcomes you.
Kent/Sussex | Wilmington