With most of our summer plans put on hold — or just flat out canceled — some people may have suddenly found some extra time on their hands.

If that’s the case for you, and you’re looking for something new to try out, the Plateau has you covered.

Here are a few places where you can pick up a new hobby or learn a new skill while staying safe and healthy. Please note that many of these activities may require you to comply with wearing a mask and social distancing guidelines.

MUSIC LESSONS

Located on Cole Street, Enumclaw Music has myriad opportunities for learning to play a new instrument.

The business offers both private one-on-one lessons with dozens of teachers that specialize in everything from guitar and ukulele to even songwriting and music production.

Those interested in private lessons can visit www.enumclawmusic.com/lessons.htm to see all there options available and sign up for a class.

People who enjoy group classes also have options; on Wednesdays, there are beginner and intermediate ukulele classes from 6 p.m. to 7, and 7 p.m. to 8 respectively. The classes, which start today, July 29, are six weeks long, and costs $60 to attend.

Thursdays are reserved for guitar lessons, with a beginner class at 6 p.m., and an intermediate class at 7. These six-week long classes begin tomorrow, July 30, and cost $60 to attend.

If you already have some experience with a string instrument, there’s also two intermediate homeschool strings classes, which is wholesome fun for friends and family. Not only do students continue to develop their musical skills, but they also learn how to properly care for their instruments and even some basic music theory and ear training.

Unlike the ukulele and guitar classes, students can drop-in at any time; classes are held Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 10, and 10 a.m. to 11.

No instrument? No problem — you can rent-to-own whatever you want to learn to play, whether it be a french horn or a string bass (guitars are not included). You can reserve an instrument at www.enumclawmusic.com/rentals.htm.

ARCHERY LESSONS AND PRACTICE

Despite the rural-ness of the Plateau, there are few opportunities for learning archery — the closest range that offers classes is Orion Archery in Auburn (2703 Auburn Way North).

If you’re brand-new to archery, introduction classes are held every Thursday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Equipment is provided, or you can bring you own. Participants must be at least six years old, and classes cost $10 per person.

Private and group lessons are also available, with the former offering one 30-minute class for $40, or five classes for $160; the latter are held every Wednesday from 4 to 4:30 p.m. or Fridays from 3:30 to 4 p.m., and up to six people can participate for $120. Both classes include equipment.

Orion Archery also hosts a Ladies Night every first and third Saturday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. Equipment is available to use, or you can bring your own. Attendance is $10 per person, and yes, your other half is welcome to attend, too.

If you already have some skill with a bow and your own equipment, you don’t have to go far to practice — the Flint Tip Archery Club is just east of the city at 29150 Chinook Pass Highway.

The range is open dawn to dusk; adults can shoot on the range for $5, but teenagers 19 years and younger can shoot for free. You can also become a member at $50 a year, which bypasses the $5 walk-on fee for the member and their family.

More information can be found at www.facebook.com/groups/flinttiparchers/about/.

The club includes a lighted indoor range, a 14-target walking course that varies between 10 and 60 yard distances, play equipment for kids, and a covered picnic/fire pit area, though you have to supply your own wood.

There is also the Cedar River Bowmen, located north of Enumclaw at 37892 Enumclaw Franklin Rd. SE. Unlike the Flint Tip range, the CRB requires membership to use their facilities, which includes a flat range, two broadhead pits, two walk-through field courses, two walk-through animal courses, and a clubhouse for indoor shooting and tuning equipment.

CRB is a members-only range; more information about can be found at www.cedarriverbowmen.org.

HORSEBACK RIDING

There are myriad opportunities to learn how to ride a horse on the Plateau.

The Feather Equestrian Academy, located at 45521 212th Ave. SE, Enumclaw, and 24408 126th St Ct. E., South Prairie, offers classes on weekday afternoons and two to three Sundays a month (no Saturdays). Classes accommodate between two to four people, and include teaching participants how to care for a horse and some basic groundwork along with riding lessons.

Classes cost $120 for two one-hour lessons, one every other week, or $220 for four lessons, once every week.

There’s also the Horsemanship Package, which includes classes once a week for six months, as well as three equestrian clinics and two showmanship classes for $1,200.

More information can be found at www.featherequestrianacademy.com/clinicscamps.

Triple C Pleasure Horses also offers classes by appointment only — head to www.triplecpleasurehorses.com/lessons.php or call 253-569-4804 for more information.

Echo River Ranch (37901 304th Way SE, Enumclaw) does not offer horseback riding classes, but does offer basic trail rides, even if you’ve never ridden a horse before. Due to the pandemic, the ranch is only offering one-hour rides for groups up to four people (groups won’t be combined) for $60 per rider. Once the pandemic is under control, the ranch will once again offer two-hour rides for $100 per rider. To make a reservation for your ride, call 360-367-1201.

The ranch recommends not following GPS instructions to get there, so head to http://www.echoriverranch.com/home/contact.html for directions.

DANCE LESSONS

If you’re interested in getting into something a little more athletic, the Plateau has a couple of dance studios where you can learn ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and contemporary dance.

The Academy of Ballet in Buckley (861 Main St.) has several beginning dance classes a week.

On Mondays, children ages 7 to 10 can learn jazz dance from 4 to 5 p.m., or kids ages 11 to 13 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Tuesdays start off with creative movement classes for ages 3 to 5 from 4:45 to 5 p.m. This is followed by tap dance lessons for kids ages 7 to 9 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and pre-ballet for ages 6 and 7 and basic ballet for ages 7 to 8 from 4:45 to 5:30.

Beginners contemporary dance for ages 7 to 9 is on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m., followed by basic hip hop for ages 8 to 10 from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

More advanced classes become available after a couple years of study.

Tuition is based on the number of classes you sign up for, with discounts offered for additional classes. More information can be found at www.academyofballet.org/.

Across the White River is The Ballet Workshop (1634 Railroad St., Enumclaw), which offers ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary and lyrical dance.

The summer program is already full, but the schedule for the fall season is expected to be released in early August.

For more information, head to https://www.theballetworkshop.com/.