Page 32 - Family Resource Guide Spring/Summer 2025

EDUCATION
Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek. csuchico. edu/bccer/education/outdoor-ed.shtml. For public hikes visit facebook.com/bigchicocre- ekecologicalreserve. 3521 14 Mile House Rd. jaull@csuchico.edu. (530)898-5010. Gateway Science Museum; Chico. Inspiring young people to become future scientists, engineers and technology professionals through NGSS based field trip activities
for grades K-12. Hands-on and minds-on exhibits change seasonally. csuchico.edu/ gateway/. 625 Esplanade. (530)898-4121. Gray Lodge Wildlife Area; Gridley. Year-round wildlife viewing in a 9,100-
acre wetland area. In fall and winter see
vast numbers of migratory waterfowl. A museum, paved trail to a viewing platform and seasonal guided tours Oct-Feb. Annual events include a children’s fishing day. Open sunrise to sunset. wildlife.ca.gov/ Lands/Places-to-Visit/Gray-Lodge-WA. 3207 Rutherford Rd., along the Pacific Flyway. (530)846-7500, Sat-Sun (530)846-7505. Kinetics Academy of Dance & Gymnastic; Chico. Bring your group to us or we can come to you. Besides providing a basic dance or gymnastic lesson we talk about the benefits of these disciplines and provide students with take-home knowledge they can apply. We can tailor our expertise to fit your desired needs. 18 months & up. kinet- icsacademyofdance.com. 627 Broadway St., Suite 100. (530)345-2505.
Lott Home; Oroville. The C.F. Lott Home in Sank Park was built in 1856 by Charles F. Lott, a gold-rush pioneer, California senator and judge. Book a guided school or group tour to learn captivating stories of the Lott family and their importance to early Califor- nia history. The house & garden encompass an entire city block. Fri & Sat 10:30am- 2:30pm. See Museum Listings under Parks & Tree Department at cityoforoville.org. 1067 Montgomery St. (530)538-2401.
Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA); Chico. Inspire curiosity, cre- ativity and a love for the arts with a field
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North State Parent Family Resource Guide Spring/Summer 2025 • www.northstateparent.com
trip to the MONCA. Students can explore thought-provoking exhibitions, dive into a world of imagination in our art library and even play the piano in a space designed to spark inspiration. Whether they’re discov- ering new artists, reflecting on powerful works or finding their own creative voice, MONCA offers students an unforgettable experience that blends education with ar- tistic discovery. Email Pat Macias contact@ monca.org to book field trips. monca.org. 900 Esplanade. (530)487-7272.
National Yo-Yo Museum; Chico. The world’s largest public display of yo-yos and yo-yo memorabilia. Free weekly yo-yo club prac- tices and lessons. Check website for current hours. nationalyoyo.org. 320 Broadway. (530)893-0545.
Oregon City School; Table Mountain.
The oldest standing one-room school in Butte County. Photos of past students. See the covered bridge and tour the nearby Cherokee Museum (by appt). During the wildflower season stop and picnic under the trees. buttecountyhistoricalsociety.org for opening hours. 2100 Oregon Gulch Rd. (530)533-9418.
Gold Nugget/ Depot Museum; Paradise. The museum currently features rotating mini-exhibits in the lobby while they work towards opening their exhibition hall. Ad- mission is free, though donations are graciously accepted. Website offers online artifact collection. gnmuseum.art. 475 Pear- son Rd. (530)762-2613.
Northern Buttes District of California State Parks; Oroville. Whether virtual or in-person, there are several free educa- tional opportunities for classrooms to enjoy here. Learn about the smallest su- perheroes and their contributions to our environment or discover how pollinators, plants and people are interconnected. NBDK12Program@parks.ca.gov for more information and to begin scheduling your parks experience.
Paradise Gem & Mineral Club; Paradise. Adventures that inspire appreciation for rocks and minerals, earth sciences, lapi- dary techniques and general rockhound- ing. Monthly activity nights and field trips that include rock hunting and trips to gem and rock shows. facebook.com/para- disegemandmineralclub. (530)343-0894. Patrick Ranch Museum; Durham. Dedi- cated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the area's rich agricultural heritage. Tour the beautiful 1877 Glen- wood Farmhouse Museum and visit our Gift Shop and Visitor Center exhibits. Annu- al events include the California Nut Festival, Country Fair & Tractor Show, Artisan Fair & Craft Show, and Autumn Fest. School and group tours available. patrickranchmuse- um.org. 10381 Midway, halfway between Chico and Durham. (530)342-4359.
Serene Ranch; Cottonwood. Equine lessons and fun with the horses. Everyone gets to ride. Certified in Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy. We offer group
and individual lessons. Learning horse- manship and riding skills translates into life skills. Safety and fun come first. Find
us on Facebook or email sereneranchnor- cal@gmail.com. 3871 Rancho Estates Rd. (530)440-1808.
Square Deal Mattress Factory; Chico. Facility tours for individuals, families, youth groups and school classes. Tours in- clude a mix of manufacturing knowledge along with the rich history of California’s beautiful North State. Call for hours. squaredealmattress.com. 1354 Humboldt Ave. (530)342-2510.
The Worm Farm; Durham. Family farm with 5,000 linear feet of windrows of red- worms. Hands-on group tours year-round by appt. Wear gardening clothes when vis- iting. Provides gardeners with a means of producing healthy plants while positively affecting the environment. Call for appoint- ment. thewormfarm.net. 9033 Esquon Rd., 7 miles south of Chico. (530)894-1276.
Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropol- ogy; Chico State. Hands-on, in-person field trips for all K-12 levels. Plus virtual options. New exhibits annually explore histories and diverse stories of the world around us. Free admission. Call 530 898- 5397 or visit csuchico.edu/anthmuseum to set up a class visit.
Wild Things; Weimar. Let Wild Things share a fun-filled and energetic experience with your school, library or private event. Wild Things brings rescued exotic and native wildlife to you and utilizes the animals’ personal stories to teach natural history, unique adaptations and a conservation message. Wild Things has something for everyone with topics such as: the Amazing Amazon, North American Wildlife, Beasts of the Backyard, Animals of the World, and Scaly Wonders, among others. In-person & live or recorded virtual programs. Wildth- ingsoutreach.org. programs@wildthing- soutreach.org. (530)878-2618.
MARIN COUNTY
Guide Dogs for The Blind; San Rafael, CA. & Boris, OR. School groups grades 2 and up can tour the facilities to learn how guide dogs assist blind people. All tours are at 10am and require advance reserva- tion. Tours can also attend canine gradu- ations. Virtual tours offered. guidedogs. com. (800)295-4050 or (415)499-4000. Marine Mammal Center; Sausalito. With tours for every age, the Marine Mammal Center exposes kids to the importance of healthy oceans for humans and marine mammals. The center rescues and reha- bilitates sea mammals. Open Fri-Mon. marinemammalcenter.org. 2000 Bunker Rd. (415)289-7325.
NEVADA COUNTY
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park; Nevada City. Hydraulic mining washed away mountains in pursuit of gold. Visit California’s largest hydraulic mine & learn about the gold mining era through the Environmental Living Program. Day and overnight programs. Visitors center offers exhibits and info. sierragoldparksfounda- tion.org/page/malakoff-diggins-state-his- toric-park. 23579 N Bloomfield Rd. (530)265-2740.
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum; Nevada City. Dedicated to the preservation of local transportation his- tory and artifacts from the narrow gauge railroad era. Docent-led historical tours
of the museum, rail yard and restoration shop. See wooden rail cars and more, in- cluding an 1875 Baldwin locomotive that hauled lumber, passengers and freight, then was a movie engine at Universal Studios in Hollywood. School & group tours available. Free. Check website or call for change of hours. Open Sat & Sun 10am-4pm. ncngrrmuseum.org. 5 Kidder Ct. (530)470-0902.
Montessori Schools in Upper California
“Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society” ~Maria Montessori
BUTTE COUNTY
Chico Montessori Children’s House
Director: Sarah Livingston
Preschool, ages 2 1/2 - 6
814 Glenn St., Chico chicomontessori.com
(530) 342-5518 Lic# 0454406630
Sherwood Montessori
Director: Michelle Yezbick
TK-8th grade, public charter school 1010 Cleveland Ave., Chico sherwoodmontessori.org
(530) 345-6600
SHASTA COUNTY
Montessori Children’s House of Shady Oaks
Director: Julie Helart
Private learning environment
for PreK-6th grade
1410 Victor Ave., Redding shadyoaksmontessori.com (530) 222-0355 Lic# 455405949
Each school is individually operated.