“Bored? Got Stuff/Interests? Develop Hobbies, Collections and Expertise”

Research suggests that people with hobbies, regardless of age, especially collectors, are seldom bored, have strong communication skills and are comfortable with intergenerational  conversations.

Pack Rat participants will:
--Improve their understanding of what it means to be a hobbyist,  collector, and the vital role collectors play in our society. In addition to enjoying the fun of collecting, they will learn why it matters.

--Strengthen their interpersonal communication, networking, research and presentation skills.

--Exercise important evaluation skills, including respectfully critiquing collections, and methods of categorizing objects.

--Practice being a productive member of a group, brainstorming ideas for extending existing collections or suggesting new ones.

I’m known as “Tom the Global Guy” in Outschool. Elsewhere, I’m known as “Tom the Food Museum Guy” or “The Potato Museum Guy” as I’ve developed major food history-themed collections that have been featured in exhibitions in major museums, books and educational programs. 

40 minutes per week in class, and maybe some time outside of class.