Fitness & Movement   

This class is for both beginning and experienced birders. Through observation and the use of your binoculars, field guides, and birding apps, class participants learn to identify birds in their natural habitat. We will meet once a month at different birding locations for field trips that may involve 1-2 miles of walking.

This class is for students who have taken the "Birding in the Chico Area" class more than once. We will not cover birding basics and will spend more time in the field. We will meet once a month at different locations for field trips that may involve 2-3 miles of walking.

Join us for a rare opportunity to visit the Dye Creek Preserve, managed by The Nature Conservancy, with a resident scientist. Melding ethnobotany, geology, birds, flora, and fauna in the Park Fire burn scar, this uneven, rugged at times, moderately challenging trail is rocky in spots yet gentle uphill with one small creek crossing. The hike is 5 miles round-trip with 725 feet of elevation change over two miles. With a steady pace, we will reach the welcoming destination of Campo Seco Ridge.

Join experts from River Partners for walking tours of the landscapes they've transformed from flood-prone farmland into native habitat for ecosystem, community, and economic wins at the Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park and Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge. You'll learn how restoring California's historic floodplains improves habitat and biodiversity for an array of imperiled species, boosts flood safety for vulnerable communities, supports clean and abundant water supplies, provides important outdoor recreation that improves public health, stores greenhouse gases naturally to improve California's climate resilience, and more.

Sutter Buttes State Park is one of the newer state parks in California and has no public access. We will meet with park staff for an exclusive tour of the beautiful Peace Valley where we will learn about the unique geology of the land, explore several historic and prehistoric cultural features, and observe and identify abundant wildflowers and birds. This is a 3-4 mile moderately difficult cross-country hike over uneven, rocky terrain with some short, steep hills and possible stream crossings.

Physical well-being allows us to live our longest, most capable, and fulfilling lives. Come ensure your well-being through mobility exercises. We'll practice balance, strength, agility, and flexibility movements that improve your mobility. Each class follows a similar routine that can be done at home, allowing you to look after the health of your body for many years to come. All ability levels are welcome. Your body will thank you!

Physical well-being allows us to live our longest, most capable, and fulfilling lives. Come ensure your well-being through mobility exercises. We'll practice balance, strength, agility, and flexibility movements that improve your mobility. Each class follows a similar routine that can be done at home, allowing you to look after the health of your body for many years to come. All ability levels are welcome. Your body will thank you!

"Folkloric" means "for everyone" – all ages, all abilities. If you can walk, you can dance; if you can talk, you can sing. This interactive class weaves together lecture, movement, live percussion, and discussion to explore embodied practices that preserve culture and build community. Participants learn through doing, engaging mind, body, and spirit in traditions that entertain, educate, and strengthen. As a bonus, when you're done, you won't need a trip to the gym.

Stretch your body and relax your mind with one hour of gentle yoga. The instructor specializes in making yoga accessible to everyone at any age or physical condition. There is always a way to practice yoga. This class will include some discussion and lecture on the philosophy of yoga.

Joy for seasoned hikers! This hike of 5-7 miles begins with a drive in of 8-10 miles on dirt and gravel road. The hiking trail has good switchbacks on this steep, uneven terrain along with unstable rocks. We will start at about 6,000 feet of elevation with approximately 1,800 feet of elevation change throughout the hike. The Dixie Fire of 2021 burned this beautiful landscape, but it is showing lovely signs of regeneration. We will learn about this area as part of our adventure.

HOOFers unites women seeking a hiking community. This is not for beginners; we hike 3-6 miles on uneven terrain with moderate elevation changes, lasting 3-6 hours including travel. The emphasis is on safety, navigation, knowledge-sharing, and building connections among like-minded hikers. A mandatory in-class meeting introduces members, reviews packs and equipment, and includes a short trail safety presentation. Three subsequent meetings are hikes.

A half-hour walk immersed in nature prepares us to sit with our sketchbook journals and observe, question, draw, paint, and write about what we see, hear, and feel – focusing on our senses, curiosity, and the observation process over perfecting an end product. We'll explore Upper and Lower Bidwell Park, Indian Fishery, and the Genetic Resource & Conservation Center (Chico Tree Farm). Participants provide their own art materials and choose their subjects. There is no official art instruction. Some basic techniques and many online supplemental materials are provided.

The Butterfly Valley Botanical Area is located just north of Quincy, elevation 3,800 feet. The area includes the California pitcher plant, a rare and unusual insect eating plant that only grows in scattered boggy areas from southern Oregon down through Northern California, as well as 4 other species of insectivorous plants, 12 species of orchids, and 9 species of ferns. Get an introduction to California native plants and basic botany in the field as we saunter in search of California native wildflowers.

Coutolenc Park sits on 340 acres off Coutolenc Road east of Magalia. Get an introduction to California native plants and basic botany in the field as we saunter in search of California native wildflowers.

The Doon Grade Trail is part of the old railroad bed that went from Chico, through Magalia, and all the way to Stirling City. We will be on the middle part east of Magalia. Get an introduction to California native plants and basic botany in the field as we saunter in search of California native wildflowers.

In this class, you will explore essential water safety skills, discover how watercraft design influences performance, and practice proper techniques for entering, exiting, and maneuvering the vessel. The class also covers paddle design and a range of effective paddle strokes. It's an excellent introduction for anyone looking to build confidence and have fun on flat or slow-moving water.

This low-impact, physically active kayak adventure is a great way to view the ecology of the area. There is abundant wildlife, including many species of waterfowl and raptors. We will be paddling on open flat water in either a single or tandem kayak. Our paddling trip will take us to an island in the Thermalito Afterbay.

This low-impact, physically active kayak adventure is a great way to view the ecology of the area. There is abundant wildlife, including many species of waterfowl and raptors. We will be paddling on open flat water in either a single or tandem kayak. Our paddling trip will take us to an island in the Thermalito Afterbay.

If you haven't visited the Butte College Campus recently, here is your chance to join us on a wonderful campus tour. A student guide will help us explore various buildings, educational programs, and a bit of Butte College history. The tour will end at the new Science Building, where we will be given a sneak peek at the adjacent planetarium. Participants must be comfortable navigating steps and walking or standing for up to two hours. All walking paths are paved.

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring an interesting town. We will meander at a leisurely pace for 2 miles. Participants must be comfortable walking and standing for up to two hours. This class will include viewing and discussing murals that depict events, people, and sights that have been drawing people to Oroville since the Gold Rush.

Join us for a leisurely hike of 3-6 miles with no elevation change at the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge Rio Vista Unit. We will observe native and other vegetation and wildlife. The trail borders the Sacramento River so we may see some birds and otters in the river. There will be information about the history of this and other units, as well as the change from riparian habitat to cultivated land and back to riparian habitat.

Play pickleball with other members. In this class, you will receive paddles and balls, enjoy light instruction for beginners, and have plenty of time to practice skills and play games with fellow OLLI members. Whether you're brand new to pickleball or looking to sharpen your game, this fun, social class is a great way to get active and learn one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Join us for an empowering self-defense class designed exclusively for OLLI members. In this fun, dynamic, safe, and practical session, Senior Grandmaster Azad, renowned for training tens of thousands of people in personal safety, will teach you real-world strategies to protect yourself at home, in public, and beyond. Learn simple but powerful techniques to stay safe, enhance awareness, and defend yourself effectively. This class is for people of all abilities.

Join us for an empowering self-defense class designed exclusively for OLLI members. In this fun, dynamic, safe, and practical session, Senior Grandmaster Azad, renowned for training tens of thousands of people in personal safety, will teach you real-world strategies to protect yourself at home, in public, and beyond. Learn simple but powerful techniques to stay safe, enhance awareness, and defend yourself effectively. This class is for people of all abilities.

Play table tennis with other members. You will receive paddles and balls, get basic instruction on strokes and footwork, and enjoy friendly games with fellow OLLI members. Whether you're completely new to table tennis or returning to a favorite pastime, this fast, fun, low-impact activity is a great way to sharpen your reflexes, stay active, and enjoy time with friends.

Tai Chi for Arthritis was developed in 1997 and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Arthritis often gets worse without proper exercise. Tai Chi for Arthritis helps to improve muscular strength, flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and clarity of mind. The gentle and slow movements help to improve the flow of energy and healing, and it is enjoyable and calming.

Tap dance involves rhythmic, percussive, and precise movement of the feet while promoting the flow and individual style of the entire body. Classes will include warm-up, structured movement phrases that will build in complexity, and creative explorations. All levels are welcome. Good standing balance is recommended.

Tap dance involves rhythmic, percussive, and precise movement of the feet while promoting the flow and individual style of the entire body. Classes will include warm-up, structured movement phrases that will build in complexity, and creative explorations. All levels are welcome. Good standing balance is recommended.

How many times have you heard, "Dance like nobody's watching"? This class is the antidote to movement inhibition. Your cells are itching to move to the beat, perfection not required. We'll play, connect, and converse through music and movement in a fun, safe, inclusive setting. If you just love to move, show up and share it!

Join us for our Wednesday morning park walks! If you want to start a walking habit, add to your daily step count, spend a morning with old and new friends, or just enjoy beautiful Lower Park, lace up your shoes and join us. Each week, you have the opportunity to choose a 1-mile route looping at Hwy 99 or a 2.8-mile route looping at the 2nd bridge (Cedar Grove).

Does your daily walk feel safe? Do you have access to crosswalks, sidewalks, and adequate lighting? We will cover the key things needed to walk and feel safe, and how to get involved in making changes. The first class meeting will be a conversation and advocacy hour. In the second class meeting you will gain experience surveying and auditing a neighborhood in Chico. Don't miss out on the opportunity to improve your community.

We'll hike a moderate 4.5 miles with 450 feet of elevation gain along Colby Creek, on forest trails, and through meadows filled with wildflowers. The trailhead is at 4,750 feet, high enough to escape the valley heat. Our pace will be leisurely, with time to take photographs, observe and identify wildflowers and birds, enjoy the views, and make new friends. Team up with other women to enjoy a fun day outdoors!

This all-levels hatha yoga class welcomes all bodies and abilities. Jeanne teaches "to the room," adapting the practice to meet the needs of those present. Drawing on her background in dance, kinesiology, and massage, she offers a comprehensive, informative, and enjoyable experience. Classes include breathing (pranayama), chanting, yoga philosophy, and asana practice to enhance range of motion and circulation while we stretch, strengthen, and relax.

This hike is for able hikers who have contemplated joining the HOOFer community. We are offering this chance for an introduction to the HOOFer community while participating in a hike to Inks Creek Point. The hike is about 4 miles out and back with 350 feet of elevation gain. After this hike, you will know if you want to take the introductory HOOFers class and fully join the HOOFer community.

Join us for a leisurely walk of up to four miles along the tree-lined shore of Paradise Lake. Let's connect with nature in a way that stimulates our senses and unclutters our minds while enlivening our bodies with easy walking. Let your to-do list take a back seat for a while and allow the nurturing energy of Mother Nature to slow you down as you appreciate the tranquility of your surroundings.

Bring your binoculars and enjoy spring birding at the Red Bluff Recreation Area. The 2-mile loop trail takes us on paved paths through oak woodlands, flowering grasslands, and riparian areas along the Sacramento River. You'll see a variety of birds, wildflowers, and scenic views of snow-capped mountains. There's a botanical garden with a picnic area where we can eat lunch. Both beginning and experienced birders are welcome.

We'll enjoy river views along a hiking and biking path along the Sacramento River Trail in Redding. The path is generally paved path with several elevation changes. The elevation changes and path conditions offer some tripping hazards. The hike is approximately 5.5 miles in a loop that will take us back to our starting point. Trail traffic is not heavy but we will likely encounter other trail users.

This 6.5-mile hike to Beatson Falls overlook offers a moderately challenging excursion across unique terrain, formed by ancient basalt lava flows, and boasts impressive geological features and diverse landscapes. The trail will lead us through spectacular wildflowers, alongside streams, down into ravines, and up to the top of mesas providing panoramic vistas of the surrounding area, ultimately leading to the stunning Beatson Falls overlook. Our pace will be leisurely, allowing time to take photographs and admire the abundant wildflowers.

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring interesting places in our community. We will meander at a leisurely pace for 1-2 miles in the Horsehoe Lake area of Upper Bidwell Park to enjoy the wildflower bloom and birds of the area. Participants should be comfortable walking and standing for two hours. The trails are relatively flat and somewhat uneven in spots.

We will begin in the floodplain of Big Chico Creek and travel back in time across the older deposits of the creek and into the Cascade foothills. The first route, from Five Mile to the North Rim Trail, covers a condensed sequence of the major landforms that occur in the Sacramento Valley, as well as the transition to the Tuscan Formation in the Cascade foothills. In the second route, following the Lower Trail and Yahi Trail from Horseshoe Lake, we walk up the bottom of Big Chico Creek Canyon, applying what we observed on the first route and viewing the slot canyon in the Lovejoy basalt. There will be approximately 6 miles of moderate hiking with some rocky and uneven areas. The first route has a short, steep up-and-down.

Join us for our Wednesday morning park walks! If you want to start a walking habit, add to your daily step count, spend a morning with old and new friends, or just enjoy beautiful Lower Park, lace up your shoes and join us. Each week, you have the opportunity to choose a 1-mile route looping at Hwy 99 or a 2.8-mile route looping at the 2nd bridge (Cedar Grove).

Beginning at the Diversion Dam, we'll hike to the end of the Yahi trail (U ford) and back, approximately 5.25 miles. This upper portion of the Yahi trail offers the most interesting views, features an array of wildflowers in spring, and is less traveled than the lower portion. This hike is moderately challenging, with uneven terrain and some steep sections. Our pace will be leisurely, with time to take photographs, observe and identify wildflowers and birds, and enjoy the views and the camaraderie.