Free* and Low Cost Programs for All Ages
Fall 2025 Program Schedule
MONDAYS
- Strength Training, Treadmill Walking & Spinning (9-11am)*
- Needlecrafts Group (10am-12pm)*
- Albany Aikido (12pm)
- Bridge (Alternating Mon 1-3pm. Starts 9/15)*
- Archery (6:30-7:30pm Starting Nov 3)
TUESDAYS
- Albany Aikido (7:30am)
- Cooking Class (Alternating Tues 10am-12pm starting 10/28)*
- Chair Yoga (5:30-6:15pm)
- Paint & Drip Art Café (6-8pm Alternate Tues Starting Aug 26)
WEDNESDAYS
- Strength Training, Treadmill & Spinning (9-11am)*
- Mexican Train Dominoes (10am-12pm)*
- Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support & Memory Café for People with Symptoms
(11am-12:30pm Nov 19 & Dec 17)*
- Mah Jongg Club (1-3pm)*
THURSDAYS
- Albany Aikido (7:30am)
- TOAST - Thursday Open Art Studio Time (1-4pm)*
- Story Writing (1-3pm)*
- Community Ping Pong (6:00-7:30pm)*
FRIDAYS
- Strength Training, Treadmill & Spinning (9-11am)*
- Foam Ball Tennis (Blue Room) (10am-11am)*
- Tablet & Smartphone Tech Help (10-12pm) (By Appointment Email: Maggie@SHACcenter.org)*
SATURDAYS
- Women's Self Defense (10am-12pm, Nov 29)
SUNDAYS
- Albany Aikido (10am)
Community Events
Free Thanksgiving Dinner at SHAC
Mom Starts Here - Baby Supplies for Families in Need
Free Thanksgiving Dinner at SHAC
Don't have any plans for Thanksgiving? Come celebrate it with us at SHAC! Starting at 1pm on Thursday, November 27, SHAC will be hosting a free Turkey dinner for all to enjoy.
SHAC Turkey Trot 5K & Walk
Mom Starts Here - Baby Supplies for Families in Need
Free Thanksgiving Dinner at SHAC
SHAC Center will be hosting a 5K Turkey Trot and Walk on Thursday, November 27 with a start time of 9am. This event is open to all ages and abilities to attend.
Mom Starts Here - Baby Supplies for Families in Need
Mom Starts Here - Baby Supplies for Families in Need
Mom Starts Here - Baby Supplies for Families in Need
Mom Starts Here is a Capital Region nonprofit organization that walks with families along their parenting journey, providing support for their internal and external needs and enabling parents to show up their best for themselves and their children.
Starting November 1, 2025, the SHAC Center joins the Mom Starts Here network around the Capital Region. Once registered as a member of Mom Starts Here, families in need can arrange a scheduled appointment to pick up baby supplies right here at SHAC.
Low Cost Programs & Classes at SHAC
Paint & Drip Art Café
Paint & Drip Art Café
Paint & Drip Art Café
Local artist Ryan Smithson will host a Paint & Drip session every other Tuesday starting August 26 from 6-8pm. Unlike a Paint & Sip that features alcohol, Paint & Drip is family friendly - offering drip coffee, teas, and pastries while you paint. All art supplies will be provided and coffee, teas, and pastries will be available for purchase.
Cost: $35
Archery
Paint & Drip Art Café
Paint & Drip Art Café
National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) Certified Instructors, Jeanne Bubie & John Slyer will offer introductory youth & adult archery opportunities & practice. All equipment provided. This 6 week class will be held on Mondays, November 3 - December 8 from 6:30-7:30pm.
Cost: $100 for all 6 weeks or $20 per class
Chair Yoga
Paint & Drip Art Café
Rensselaer County Redtails Mountain Bike Team
Certified Yoga Instructor Kim Favro will lead an 8 week class where participants can enjoy the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of less strenuous Chair Yoga. All experience levels welcome. Classes will occur on Tuesdays starting October 14 from 5:30-6:15pm.
Cost: $15 per class
Rensselaer County Redtails Mountain Bike Team
Rensselaer County Redtails Mountain Bike Team
Rensselaer County Redtails Mountain Bike Team
The Rensselaer County Redtails is a composite youth mountain bike team in the New York Chapter of National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).
The Redtails are a SHAC Center program led by volunteer parents and coaches.
The team is open to all 6-12th grade students within Rensselaer County, NY and surrounding areas.
For more information, CLICK HERE https://shaccenter.org/mountain-bike-team
Women's Self Defense Class
Rensselaer County Redtails Mountain Bike Team
Women's Self Defense Class
Join self defense instructor, Dan Prendergast, for an in person self defense workshop for women ages 16+. This class will help you learn and practice de-escalation techniques, situational awareness, as well as repeatable methods to protect yourself from common attacks. This one day session will be on Saturday, November 29 from 10am-12pm.
Cost: $20
CPR & First Aid Training
Rensselaer County Redtails Mountain Bike Team
Women's Self Defense Class
Certified CPR & First Aid Instructor John Slyer will teach participants how to perform CPR using a training dummy and how to administer basic first aid in emergency situations.
Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid
Certified First Aid Instructor John Slyer will teach participants the basics of First Aid that can be used in situations where you are isolated in the wilderness.
FREE Programs & Classes at SHAC
Story Writing
Strength Training, Treadmill Walking, & Spinning
Tablet/Smartphone Help for Seniors
Join Karl Michael as he leads a story writing workshop for creative individuals 18 years and older. This workshop is held on Thursdays from 1pm-3pm.
A suggested Donation of$5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Tablet/Smartphone Help for Seniors
Strength Training, Treadmill Walking, & Spinning
Tablet/Smartphone Help for Seniors
Volunteers Maggie and Marcia lead a tech help class for seniors on Fridays by appointment only. Instructors will help set up email accounts, provide tips for texting, and more. You may bring in any smartphones or tablets that you would like assistance with.
Contact Maggie at maggie@shaccenter.org to make an appointment.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Strength Training, Treadmill Walking, & Spinning
Strength Training, Treadmill Walking, & Spinning
Strength Training, Treadmill Walking, & Spinning
Free and open gym sessions that allow participants to use equipment at SHAC to exercise. These self guided sessions are available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am-11am at SHAC.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Albany Aikido Class
Albany Aikido Class
Strength Training, Treadmill Walking, & Spinning
Aikido is a non-competitive martial art from Japan that focuses on using an opponent’s energy and flowing, graceful movements to redirect the opponent into a throw or a pin to defuse a hostile situation.
Aikido is suitable for all ages, body types, and fitness levels.
Mon 12:00pm, Tue 7:30am, Thur 7:30am, Sun 10:00am
More information can be found at albanyaikido.com or by calling Nan at
518-629-5925
Cooking Class
Albany Aikido Class
Cooking Class
Learn simple recipes and cooking basics with instructor, Candylee Budesheim. Cooking class will take place every other Tuesday from 10am-12pm at SHAC starting October 28.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Pickleball
Albany Aikido Class
Cooking Class
Join facilitator Karl Michael for free practice/games of pickleball at the basketball court in Butler Park on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm. This group is open to anyone 16 and up. Beginners and all skill levels are welcome. Paddles can be provided by SHAC.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Mah Jongg Club
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group and Memory Café for People with Symptoms
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group and Memory Café for People with Symptoms
Join Debi Michael at SHAC to participate in our Mah Jongg Club! This club will meet every Wednesday from 1pm-3pm starting September 8.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group and Memory Café for People with Symptoms
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group and Memory Café for People with Symptoms
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group and Memory Café for People with Symptoms
Our caregiver support group and memory café offers a supportive, welcoming environment for caregivers and their loved ones who are experiencing memory loss due to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
This group will meet at SHAC from
11am-12:30pm on the following days of each month: November 19 and December 17.
No reservation required. All are welcome to attend!
Needlecrafts Group
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group and Memory Café for People with Symptoms
Community Ping Pong
Join facilitator Marcia Middleton as she hosts a craft time for various needlecrafts, such as knitting, quilting, sewing, crocheting, and more! This club will meet every Monday from 10am-12pm at SHAC.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Community Ping Pong
Mexican Train Dominoes
Community Ping Pong
Join Karl Michael for free games of community Ping Pong! This is a casual time for players of all experience levels to play a few rounds in a relaxed environment. Ping Pong will take place on Thursdays from 6-7:30pm at SHAC.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Mexican Train Dominoes
Mexican Train Dominoes
Mexican Train Dominoes
Join instructor Maryann Francis who will be hosting a dominoes playing group (Mexican Train style) on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm at SHAC.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Bridge Club
SHAC Seniors Foam Ball Tennis
Come together to play Bridge hosted by Pat Mulligan. This club will meet every other Monday from 1-3pm on the following dates 9/15, 9/29, 10/6, 10/20, 11/3, 11/17, 12/1, 12/15, & 12/29.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
SHAC Seniors Foam Ball Tennis
SHAC Seniors Foam Ball Tennis
USTA Certified Tennis Coach Joe Behson will guide Seniors through the fun of tennis, but using a foam ball. This class will be held on Fridays from 10-11am. All equipment will be provided by SHAC.
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
A suggested Donation of $5/$10 is appreciated and not required
Zumba Gold
Licensed Zumba instructor Concetta Snyder will be leading 2 FREE demos of Zumba Gold at the SHAC Center on Monday, November 3 & Friday, November 14 from 1-1:45pm. Zumba Gold is an interactive and fun way for older adults to participate in a full body workout. This class recreates moves in normal Zumba workouts but at a lower intensity that it suitable for all while listening to music and rhythms from around the world!
Fall 2025 Programs and NEW SHAC Center Programs & Classes
Sign up for SHAC Center Programs with the SportsEngine registration platform!
When you register for classes at SHAC, you will be asked to create an account with our new class registration service, SportsEngine. With this service, you can view class schedules, contact the instructors of a class, and access program/class information directly from the SportsEngine Motion mobile app!
SportsEngine Motion App for Android Devices: HERE
SportsEngine Motion App for Apple Devices: HERE
NOTE: A valid phone number and email address will be required to set up an account, contact instructors, and receive order confirmations.
