Spore Explorer "Young Mycologists Building Lasting Connections With Nature"

Name: Spore Explorer "Young Mycologists Building Lasting Connections With Nature"
Start: 2026-01-17T14:00:00-08:00
End: 2026-01-17T16:00:00-08:00
Location: Upper Bidwell Park

Schedule

Sat Jan 17 2026 at 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

Upper Bidwell Park | Chico, CA

We meet twice a month the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. All programs are weather permitting and will take place in various outdoor locations.
Join us for our first events of the year January 10th (date change due to rain on the 3rd) and January 17th, 2-4pm.
We will meet in Upper Bidwell Park at Parking Space A.
The Spore Explorer Kids Program is a new, proud and vibrant component of the North Sierra Spore Society (NSSS), designed to foster a love for fungi and nature in the next generation. Aligned with the NSSS's overarching mission to advance mycological interests, education, and research throughout our region, Spore Explorer invites young adventurers of all ages to explore the magical world beneath our feet.
Through this program, NSSS aims to ignite curiosity surrounding the fungal kingdom while instilling a deep respect for natural ecosystems and the roles fungi play. We aim to equip children with the knowledge and skills to safely and responsibly engage with fungi, ensuring a future generation of informed and passionate mycological enthusiasts and stewards.
Spore Explorer is a teacher and parent led program open to children ages 5 and up. Having parents join us in our adventures we hope to empower both the parents and kids to become curious explorers and responsible stewards of the natural world.
Safety First! Always!!
A core tenet of both the Spore Explorer Program and the North Sierra Spore Society is safety. Our program emphasizes critical lessons in safe observation, respectful interaction, and the paramount importance of never consuming wild mushrooms without expert identification.
Children will learn how to appreciate fungi responsibly in their natural habitats.
What Your Child Will Discover Exploring the Magical World of Fungi?
Through enchanting forest walks and captivating activities, children will uncover the diverse forms, colors, and roles of mushrooms and other fungi. We believe in sparking wonder and making learning about nature an exciting journey of discovery.
****For the safety and enrichment of all participants, a guardian must be present with their child(ren) throughout the program.
From guided foraging expeditions to creative projects like spore printing, nature journaling, and building miniature mushroom habitats, our activities are designed to be interactive and memorable. We encourage direct engagement with the natural world, transforming abstract concepts into tangible, exciting discoveries.
We will introduce foundational concepts of fungal biology, ecology, and their vital role in forest health. Children will learn to identify common species, understand their life cycles, and appreciate fungi as essential components of our regional ecosystems.
How to get involved? Programs will begin in January and are held twice a month at various outdoor and indoor locations. If interested in adding a young spore explorer, please inquire at [email protected] Follow us on Facebook @mycolovers for updates.
Program Support: To help us continue offering these enriching experiences and to support the broader efforts of the North Sierra Spore Society in mycological education, a suggested donation of $10 per program/child is requested.
Cash donations can be made in person the day of or through our NSSS PayPal Pay Pool
https://www.paypal.com/pool/9lheex78U0?sr=wcco