Guide
Lifelong Recreation offers activities for people aged 60 and older. Use the links below to view activities offered throughout the city.
View all activities for people aged 60 and older with available space
In addition to Lifelong Recreation activities, designed for people aged 60 and older, you are welcome to participate in all other activities open to adults. Activities for all age groups can be found on the pages listed on the right-side menu on a computer or at the bottom of the screen if using a mobile device.
In-Person Activities
Lifelong Recreation activities are offered at a variety of locations across Portland. If program spaces have accessibility considerations, they will be listed in the online description of the class.
Arts
| Class | Description | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramics - Handbuilding | Explore ceramics, creating hand-built bowls or sculptures using pinch, coil, and slab forms. Beginners will learn fundamentals in a nurturing environment. | Multnomah Arts Center | Check availability |
| Dance – Flamenco | Learn the fundamentals of this expressive Spanish art form through accessible and supportive exercises. Participants may choose to learn from a seated position. | Multnomah Arts Center | Check availability |
| Dance – Rhythm & Moves | Enjoy dancing to different types of music while staying active. World music, jazz, and classical pieces will invite participants to "Move as you are." You can participate seated or standing. | St Johns Community Center | Check availability |
| Dance – Tap | Explore this lively American dance form and develop a sense of rhythm and body coordination while having fun! | Multnomah Arts Center | Check availability |
| Drumming Together for Women | Find freedom of expression and gain fundamental techniques through playing drums and percussion with others. | Community Music Center | Check availability |
| Literary Arts - Writing your Memories | Learn to easily write your thoughts and recollections and preserve them for future generations. Bring a prepared story each week to share with the class. | St Johns Community Center | Check availability |
| Mixed Media | Discover how elements of design unite to create works of art. All levels are welcome. | Multnomah Arts Center | Check availability |
| Painting | Express your creativity exploring basic to advanced methods. Acrylic and watercolor classes are available. | East Portland Community Center | Check availability |
| Piano | Beginning and continuing classes are available. | Community Music Center | Check availability |
Continuing Education
| Class | Ages | Description | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Smart Driver | 50 and older | A driver safety course designed especially for drivers age 50 and older. Become a smarter, more confident driver today, and you could save money on auto insurance. | Charles Jordan, Southwest, and Parkrose High School SUN Community School | Check availability |
| Aging With Elegance | 60 and older | This workshop helps identify us as role models who engage in self-acceptance, pride, and higher self-esteem as we clearly define our elegant aging self. Participants are led on a positive pathway of individual positive self-discovery. | East Portland Community Center | Check availability |
| Book Club | 60 and older | Connect with new people through reading and discussion! Meet monthly to talk about books in a facilitated round-table format. | East Portland Community Center | Check availability |
| Conversations on Aging | 60 and older | These interactive conversations provide a forum for discussion as well as opportunities to explore new possibilities and resources. This series is presented in partnership with Cascadia Health | Peninsula Park Community Center | Check availability |
| Retirement, Managing Life Transitions | 60 and older | Participants can take advantage of information and tools to help navigate this new phase of life and establish personal priorities. | East Portland Community Center | Check availability |
| Understanding Medicare 2026 | 60 and older | This workshop will educate and inform Medicare consumers with easy-to-understand explanations of the Medicare system. And for those on OHP, there are important changes to understand. | Charles Jordan, East Portland, and Southwest Community Center | Check availability |
Fitness
View more registered fitness classes and links to drop-in fitness schedules.
| Class | Description | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chair Core Strength | Tone and stretch your core muscles (abdomen and hips) while reducing joint stress. Enjoy a mix of light cardio, core exercises, and yoga stretches, primarily from a seated position, with optional standing movements. | St. Johns Community Center | Check availability |
| Qigong | Qigong is translated to mean ‘breath work’ or the art of managing breathing to achieve and maintain good health. Easy movements, sitting or standing, enhance energy, mobility, and improve flexibility and stamina. | First Congregational Church | Check availability |
| Tai Chi | Incorporate slow, gentle movements that increase flexibility, balance, and lung capacity. | St Johns Community Center | Check availability |
| Yoga | Choose from a variety of practices, including Yoga in chairs. Yoga gently works muscles and joints to enhance strength, range of motion, balance, and circulation. | First Congregational Church, Montavilla Community Center, and St Johns Community Center | Check availability |
Sports
| Class | Description | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennis | Tennis mixers and classes for players aged 55 and older, with a rating of 2.0–3.5. | Portland Tennis Center | Check availability |
Virtual Activities
Lifelong Recreation offers a variety of live online classes using Zoom. You can participate from wherever you have internet access.
Continuing Education
| Class | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Mindful Fall Prevention | Explore how Mindfulness, Movement, and Making Safe your environment are the building blocks to feel more confident and secure as you age. | Check availability |
Fitness
| Class | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Chair Yoga | This class features stretches and movements linked to the breath, inspired by yoga, and done some while seated, and some while standing (optional) with hands on the chair. This class is accessible to most fitness and ability levels and can build mobility, balance, strength, and flexibility. | Check availability |
| Mindfulness Meditation | Mindfulness Meditation can reduce stress, increase attention, improve sleep, and provide other benefits. Teachings will be offered in a secular format, and each session will include a guided meditation. | Check availability |
| Qigong | Come explore techniques that pair breath and movement. Tap into your creative energy, balance your life, and learn to calm your mind. | Check availability |
| Gentle Yoga | Gentle classes for older adults featuring slow-flowing, mindful movement, linked to the breath. | Check availability |
| Zumba Gold | Enjoy modified moves and pacing with the same elements Zumba is known for. It's a dance-fitness class that feels friendly and fun. | Check availability |
Excursions
Join fellow Lifelong Recreation participants to explore the city, state, and region. The mobility rating for each trip is listed in the description of the outing. You must register for each trip you would like to participate in.
Van Trips: Due to the high demand of these programs, we limit enrollment to 3 trips per participant during the first week of registration. After that, you may enroll in as many additional programs as you wish.
| Activity | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Meet Us There | Meet the group at a designated location for a local tour. | Check availability |
| Van Trips | Meet at the community center listed and travel together in a 15-passenger van for the day. If using the TriMet lift to get to the community center, please call and notify us of the lift times. | Check availability |
Hiking
Free Hiking Program Orientation - check availability
Receive information that helps you have a successful outdoor experience. It’s optional to attend an orientation session before participating in our program. Attend if you’re interested in learning more about Metro Movers, Hike for Health, Advanced Hike for Health, and Snowshoeing Programs. Beginner to advanced hikers are all welcome.
| Activity | Description | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Movers | Metro Movers is our level 1 program, and hikes are two hours long. Hikers meet up at the trailhead. There is no qualification required to participate in this program, but you must be able to walk a 25-minute mile without shortness of breath. | Check availability |
| Hike for Health | Hike for Health is our more advanced program. These hikes require different levels of qualifications to participate in to ensure safety on the more difficult trail experiences. Hikers must have qualified for Level 2 Hike for Health or completed a Level 2 or higher hike within the last year to participate. Hikers meet at the designated community center and travel to the trailhead in our 15-passenger van. | Check availability |