Community Education Opportunities

Waukesha County Public Health & Community Education

At Waukesha County Public Health, we’re dedicated to helping people of all ages live healthier, happier lives. Through partnerships with community organizations, libraries, schools, businesses, and the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC), we offer a variety of free or low-cost educational classes and health events that empower you with knowledge, tools, and support.

What We Offer: Lifelong Learning for Better Health

Whether you’re planning for the future, managing a health condition, or simply curious about wellness, our classes are designed to meet you where you are.

Flexible & Community-Driven

Most of our classes and presentations are designed to meet people where they are. We’re happy to bring educational sessions right to your:

  • School, business, or workplace

  • Neighborhood organization or non-profit

  • Senior center or community space

  • Library or local meeting room

Just submit our Public Health Event Interest Form if you want something brought to your group!

💡 Ready to Learn More?

Want to stay updated on upcoming classes and workshops?

  • Check our online events calendar (below) — new sessions are added regularly.

  • Sign up for the CHIP Report newsletter to learn how Waukesha County’s Community Health Improvement Plan may connect you to helpful resources and opportunities in our community.

Public Health Event Interest Form

Upcoming Events

  • Scarecrow Install (Retzer) September 18, 2026

    BUILD-A-SCARECROW AT HOME

    Be part of the fun on Scarecrow Lane! Schools, churches, families, businesses, scouts, 4-H groups, daycares, and individuals are invited to build a family-friendly scarecrow at home and install it at Retzer Nature Center. Your creation will be on display along the Orange and Blue Trails from September 19 to October 31, 2026, as part of a self-guided autumn hike.

    Want to learn more about Scarecrow Lane? Click here.


    DATES/TIME: Build your scarecrow at home, then install it between September 12–18, 2026 • Sunrise - 10 p.m.


    LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)


    COST: Free, this is a volunteer activity.


    REGISTRATION: Required; register online by noon on September 13, 2026. You will need to create an account in our system. 

    NOTE:
    • Read the Build-A-Scarecrow instructions before creating your scarecrow at home.
    • Print the scarecrow ID card on page 2 of the instructions. Insert it into a zippered or sealed bag and pin it to your scarecrow.
    • Install your scarecrow on the stakes provided along the marked trail starting along the Orange and Blue Trails from September 12 -18, 2026.
    • No violent or gruesome scarecrows. Retzer Nature Center reserves the right to remove any inappropriate entries.
    • Remove your scarecrow November 1-8, 2026.
    • Any scarecrows not removed by November 9, 2026, will be discarded.
    • Retzer Nature Center is not responsible for any loss or damage to displays.

  • Scarecrow Lane (Retzer) September 19, 2026

    FRIENDS OF RETZER NATURE CENTER’S SCARECROW LANE

    Explore the magic of autumn at Retzer Nature Center with our fan-favorite self-guided hike along Scarecrow Lane! Wander the Orange Trail and take in the fall colors while discovering a variety of creative, one-of-a-kind scarecrow displays. Start your journey near the Discovery Trailhead and follow the Orange and Blue loop to the scenic Retzer pond.

    Check back soon for a fun Scavenger Hunt activity sheet!

    Feeling creative? Join our Build-A-Scarecrow at Home fun! Learn more.


    DATES/TIME: Daily, September 19 - October 31, 2026 • Sunrise – 10 p.m.


    LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)


    COST: Free (all ages)*

    *September 19 only - $15 admission per car during Apple Harvest Festival.


    REGISTRATION: No registration; walk-ins welcome.

    NOTE: Expect woodchipped and mowed grass trails with some sloped terrain. The trail is not paved and is not lit after dark.

  • Story Hike (Retzer) September 19, 2026

    FALL STORY HIKE 

    Join us at Retzer Nature Center as we hike, read, and enjoy this fall’s Story Hike! Set out on the White Trail to read “The Acorn and the Oak” by Rhonda Accardo and learn more about oak trees and their fascinating ecosystem, all while enjoying a heartfelt story along the way.

    Story Hike is provided through a partnership with Retzer Nature Center and the Bridges Library System.


    DATE/TIME: September 19 – October 31, 2026 • 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.


    LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)


     COST: FREE (all ages)*

    *September 19 only - $15 admission per car during Apple Harvest Festival


    REGISTRATION: No registration required; walk-ins welcome.

    NOTE: The White Trail is an approximately 0.6-mile trail. Expect gravel and mowed grass trails with some sloped terrain. Wayfinding signage along the route will keep you on track until the story hike ends where the orange, blue, and green trails meet near the paved Discovery Trail. The trail is not paved and is not lit after dark.

    For any questions, please contact retzer@waukeshacounty.gov.

  • CCW - Concealed Carry Weapons Class September 19, 2026

    Registration is required 

  • Apple Harvest Festival (Retzer) September 19, 2026

    APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL 2026 – PRESENTED BY THE FRIENDS OF RETZER NATURE CENTER & GENERAC

    Celebrate fall at our family-friendly Apple Harvest Festival! Purchase fresh apples and enjoy delicious apple treats like pies, crisps, and cider at the Apple Market. Visit the Delafield Brewhaus Beer Garden for food, creamy root beer, and beer (21+).

    Browse eco-friendly arts & crafts vendors and explore fun, free kids’ activities. Take part in the Passport Expedition, silent auction, Scarecrow Lane scavenger hunt, Planetarium shows, and live music by J.J. and the Nickster. Cards accepted at select locations, and an ATM is on site. 

    Don’t miss this festive celebration, presented by the Friends of Retzer Nature Center and Generac in cooperation with Waukesha County Parks, Waukesha County Technical College, and more!


    DATE & TIME: Saturday, September 19, 2026 • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.


    LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)


    COST: $15 per vehicle


    REGISTRATION: No registration; walk-ins welcome.

    NOTE: An ATM is available beyond the entrance.


    APPLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
    • Fresh apples from Brightonwoods Orchard and Patterson Orchard
    • Apple treats prepared by WCTC Baking & Culinary students

    VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP:
    Make Apple Harvest Festival extra sweet! Sign up to enjoy free entry, volunteer for a bit, and have fun all day long.


    ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITORS:

    ***UPDATE: All vendor spots for this year's festival are now FULL. Thanks for the interest! 

    Apple Harvest Festival’s Arts & Crafts Fair features a nature-inspired, eco-friendly theme, with a focus on upcycling, sustainability, and original, non-commercialized work. Vendor spaces for the 2026 festival are now open. To apply, you will need to create an account in our system. Register by August 28, as space allows.

    To participate, exhibitors must meet at least two of the following criteria:
    • Artwork or craft theme is nature or wildlife related
    • Materials used are natural (e.g., wood, clay, natural dyes)
    • Items incorporate upcycled or repurposed materials (e.g., sweater mittens)

    **We only accept applications at wauk.co/webtrac (click “Apple Harvest Festival”) and will never solicit exhibitors over social media.**

Community Education Classes

Waukesha County Public Health offers a wide range of community education classes designed to support your health, well-being, and everyday life. Whether you’re looking to plan ahead, build healthy habits, manage stress, learn about disease prevention, or simply connect with others in a welcoming environment, these sessions provide practical, evidence-based information you can use right away. Our classes are interactive, approachable, and open to community members of all backgrounds — no prior experience or expertise required. Each topic is led by knowledgeable professionals who aim to create a supportive space for learning, reflection, and conversation.

Adult or Teen Programing

This one-hour session will teach participants about advance care planning. Advance Care Planning is a process of understanding, reflecting on, and discussing future medical decisions regarding of age and current health status. All adults should think about, discuss and create an advance care plan. Having an advance care plan is truly a gift for yourself and others.

The session will cover:

• What is advance care planning

• Understanding your healthcare treatment options

• Clarifying your healthcare goals

• Weighing options about the kind of care you would want/not want

• Why an advance care plan is important

• Steps to creating an advance care plan

• How to communicate your wishes with your family, friends and healthcare provider

While age is the number one risk factor for dementia, dementia is NOT a normal part of aging. Many individuals maintain high levels of cognitive function well into their late years, but what you do with lifestyle matters! This session will teach participants what they can do to lower their dementia risk and keep their brains healthy.

Quality sleep plays a critical role in physical and mental health. This class explores common sleep challenges, the impact of sleep on overall well-being, and simple habits that can help improve sleep quality, energy levels, and daily functioning.

  • 1 in 3 adults don't get enough sleep.
  • Learn what stops you from sleeping well and how to fix it.

Stressed out? This one-hour presentation will discuss chronic stress and its impact on physical and mental health. Participants will be introduced to and practice journaling as a coping technique to protect their well-being.

This session will cover:

• Normal stress vs. chronic stress

• Stress-related health consequences

• Personal stress assessment

• Journaling as a coping technique

• Journaling exercises

This one-hour session will teach participants about the importance of good bone health for overall wellness and longevity. Special emphasis is on osteoporosis and steps families can take to reduce their risk and stay healthy.

The session will cover:

• Why bones are important to our overall health

• What is osteoporosis and osteopenia

• Risk factors

• Warning signs/fractures

• Reducing risk of disease and injury

• Screenings

• Where to find more information and resources

Cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke kill 1 in 3 people each year, but because there are no warning signs, many women and men are unaware of their risk. Learning personal risk factors and making small lifestyle changes is vital for protecting your health – maybe even saving your life.

This class encourages open conversation about mental health and helps reduce stigma. Participants will learn about common mental health challenges, signs of distress, and ways to support themselves and others — emphasizing that mental health is an essential part of overall health.

  • Talk about mental health to remove stigma.
  • Learn why mental health is key to overall wellness.

We all know that we should eat well, but what does that really mean? With a focus on long-term solutions instead of short-term diets, learn about the basics of a healthy eating pattern.

The session will cover:

• How what we eat impacts our health

• Healthy eating patterns

• Portion control

• Reading food labels

• Science-based nutrition advice and helpful tools.

Did you know that more than 1 in 3 people have prediabetes? If left unaddressed, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes, which is a serious condition! Think of prediabetes as your window of time to take action and prevent further health complications. In this session, learn about your risk for prediabetes and what steps you can take to prevent it from developing into type 2 diabetes.

(Grapevine & Beyond the Roll Series Options)

Self-care is a necessary and unselfish tool for maintaining good health and well-being. This unit will educate individuals on the steps they can take for balanced physical, mental, and spiritual health needs amidst everyday responsibilities.

The session will cover:

• Symptoms of burnout and imbalance

• What is self-care?

• Health benefits of self-care

• Self-awareness activities

• Practical tips for physical, mental, and spiritual health

Substance Use Disorder Education 

Addiction doesn’t always look the way people expect.

And the words we use? They matter more than we think.

That’s why Waukesha County is expanding access to evidence-based training on stigma reduction, early intervention, and treatment.

Because when stigma goes down → people are more likely to ask for help.


Certified through the Addiction Policy Forum, local trainers are expanding access to evidence-based education across Waukesha County, focused on stigma reduction, early intervention, and effective treatment to help end addiction as a public health issue.

Want to bring this training to your team? Contact Heidi or Meghan. 

Heidi Begovatz at heidi.begovatz@rogersbh.org

Meghan Ballard at mballard@waukesha-wi.gov


 

Emergency Preparedness

Could you survive a Zombie Apocalypse? Come have fun and learn emergency preparedness skills that will make you ready for any disaster, even a zombie outbreak. If you are ready for the Zombie Apocalypse, then you can be ready for any emergency.

In this class we will discuss how to be prepared for any emergency, including special consideration to think about as we age. Topics will include common emergencies in Waukesha County and Wisconsin. What to do before, during and after an emergency to keep you and others safe. How to be informed, make a plan and build a kit for emergencies. Additional planning and supplies we may need as we age. Types of fraud that target older adults and others during emergencies.

Emergency Preparedness will discuss how to be prepared for any emergency. Topics will include common emergencies in Waukesha County and Wisconsin. What to do before, during and after an emergency to keep you and your loved ones safe. How to be informed, make a plan and build a kit for emergencies. 

*This class can be adapted for Families with young children and/or others and we can change the Name to fit the   group for example: Family Preparedness.

Kids & Family

Arrr! Captain Will Ness will be talking about the Pirates of ye Health. The pirates of ye health be the things that slowly steal ye health away like germs, not exercising and unhealthy food. Aye, explore fun ways to fight those germs, move more and eat the good stuff.  Don’t be a hammock potato. Swing on by and we’ll dive into ways to be healthy and stay aware of The Pirates of ye Health. Yaar!

Laughter and Health Topics

It has been said that laughter is the best medicine. Actually, in most cases medicine is the best medicine, but laughter can be good for your health. Come learn how laughter reduces stress, boosts our immune system, aids in protecting our heart, and even burns calories. Also learn fun simple ways to add more laughter into your life.

You may have heard about the health benefits of laughter including stress reduction, improved oxygen intake, boosted immune system and others. However, is there enough humor around us to get enough laughter throughout the day? Laughter yoga teaches anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes or comedy.  Laughter Yoga is a unique laughing exercise routine which combines unconditional laughter with breathing exercises. Come learn laughing exercises that can get you to laugh anywhere anytime to gain the health benefits of laughing….And have fun!

(Laughter Yoga uses laughing exercises, not stretching exercises. No yoga mats needed.)

We all know laughing is fun. But did you know it is good for your health? Laughing helps us relax, helps our moods to be happy, brings more air into our bodies, even helps our bodies fight off disease. However, is there enough humor around us to get enough laughter throughout the day? Laughter yoga teaches anyone can laugh without relying on humor, jokes or comedy.  Laughter Yoga is a unique laughing exercise routine which combines laughter with breathing exercises. Come learn laughing exercises that can get you to laugh anywhere anytime to gain the health benefits of laughing….And have fun!

(Laughter Yoga uses laughing exercises, not stretching exercises. No yoga mats needed.)

Suicide Prevention

The QPR course mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. Quality suicide prevention education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught Gatekeeper training in the world.

Note: This course would is great for a staff in-service and or the public.

          The course has a maximum attendance of 35 participants or less.

 

 

Women's Health

For the comfort of the participants, we have our female health educators or female nurses teach these two classes.

Many factors are linked to breast cancer and it's important to know how to reduce risks. Participants will learn screening recommendations and how to advocate for care. This session has a special emphasis on the issues and steps that women face prior to breast cancer diagnosis.

The stigma of talking about gynecologic cancers needs to be addressed, and this session aims to remove it. Participants will learn about the risk factors and warning signs of the five main types of gynecologic cancers, as well as how to protect themselves and others from these cancers.