Find Activities
Chico and its neighboring towns have so much to offer homeschoolers. Here you will find a list of activities that frequently recommended by homeschoolers along with their contact information and which charter schools they work with. Activities or service providers that are not registered with charter schools are still available to you but will need to be paid for out-of-pocket.
Note: We do our best to keep this list updated and correct. If you find information that needs correcting, we would love to hear from you so we can better serve our community.
List of Activities and Vendors
You can browse by activity type by scrolling down. Below the providers name, we've noted which charter funds they accept. For a complete list of vendors/community partners registered with each charter, you can click on the charter name in the legend below.
This information is subject change, so be sure to double-check their vendor status when you sign up.
Vendor Legend: C = CORE L = Lakeview S = South Sutter N/A = Not Applicable None = Not registered with charters
Make Friends
These are services/vendors that are great for helping kids meet other kids and build their social skills while working in teacher supported spaces designed to help them with hands-on learning.
Willow Springs Garden School (gardening)
Vendor: Coming Soon
Thrive STEAM Enrichment (self-directed)
Vendor: C, L, S
Earthbound Skills (outdoor education)
Vendor: C, L, S
Athletics / Movement
These are places that great for getting kids moving and/or improving their athletic skills.
Chico Striders (Cross Country)
Vendor: Info Pending
Youth Movement (P.E. Classes)
Vendor: S, L
Movement Arts of Chico (various)
Vendor: Info Pending
Terrain Climbing Park (rock climbing)
Vendor: C, L
Vendor: Info Pending
Vendor: Info Pending
Vendor: Info Pending
Futsal (indoor soccer)
Vendor: Info Pending
Athletic Horizons (gymnastics)
Vendor: C
Chico Matrix (Volleyball)
Vendor: Info Pending
Chico Rebels (Lacrosse)
Vendor: Info Pending
Academics
These are services/vendors that improve academic skills such as reading, math, writing, history, and science.
Homeschool Academy (Writing / Reading)
Vendor: L, S
Pippin Grove (History / Art)
Vendor: C, S, L
Chico Craft Cafe (Enrichment Classes)
Vendor: C, L, S
Vendor: L, S
Institute for Reading Development (online/CSUC)
Vendor: Info Pending
Vendor: C, S
Tutoring
These are tutors and tutoring services that serve local students.
Chico Craft Cafe (Tutoring w/ credentialed teacher)
Vendor: C, L, S
Cortez Tutoring (contact by email)
Vendor: C
A+ Tutoring
Vendor: S
Burkett Tutoring (contact by email)
Vendor: C
Thrive STEAM Enrichment (tutoring options)
Vendor: C, S, L
CAVE Tutoring (Chico State)
Vendor: Info Pending
Click here or on the charter links above for the complete vendor lists including tutors for each charter school.
S.T.E.A.M.
S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) is a key component of a modern education. Here are a few organizations recommended by local homeschoolers that offer S.T.E.A.M. classes.
Butte Built Bots (High School Robotics)
Thrive STEAM Enrichment (Various STEAM)
Vendor: C, S, L
Theater
There are lots of ways for kids to get involved in theater. Many homeschoolers in our community love being a part of the creative and dynamic world of theater with new productions happening all the time.
Chico Regional Theater (CRT)
Vendor: C
Vendor: None
Vendor: None
Kai Music and Arts (various)
Vendor: C, S, L
Music
These are places that will help develop your child's musical skills.
Kai Music and Arts (various)
Vendor: C, S, L
Marci Pittman (Piano)
Vendor: C, S
Chico Children's Choir (singing)
Vendor: C, L
Tori May Music Academy (various)
Vendor: C, L, S
Notes & Knots (Oroville)
Vendor: C, L, S
Vendor: C, L, S
Music Connection (various)
Vendor: None
Vianna Boring Renaud (piano)
Vendor: None
Dance
These are places that offer dance instruction.
Vendor: C, L, S
Vendor: C, L
Vendor: None
Community Recreation Center
These are the community recreation centers in the area that offer a variety of different classes throughout the year. These include life skills, athletics, movement, language, etc. They usually publish their calendar about 3 times a year (Spring, Summer, and Fall). Classes are often affordable and a great way to try a new activity without committing for a long session.
Chico Area and Recreation Department (CARD)
Vendor: C, L, S
Vendor: C, S
Feather River Recreation and Parks (Oroville)
Vendor: C, L, S
Vendor: None
Martial Arts
Martial arts teach important character building, goal setting, self-defense, and strength training. Here are a few place in our area that parents recommend.
Azad's Martial Arts (Tae-kwon-do)
Vendor: C
Capoiera (Bazilian Martial Arts)
Info Pending
Haley's Martial Arts (Shorin-ryu karate)
Vendor: C
Stand Alone MMA (Various styles)
Vendor: C, L
Chess
Here are a few great ways to play chess.
Homeschool Chess Team
- Competes in Sacramento Valley Chess League
- Open to all local homeschoolers
- For more information, email Cathy Tuttle here.
- The Chico Chess Club library times on our events page.
Sacramento Valley Scholastic Chess League
- This is a competitive league that serves schools in the north state.
Sewing, Knitting & Crochet
There are places that teach kids how to sew, knit, and/or crochet.
Notes and Knots (Oroville / Fabric Arts & Music)
Vendor: C, L, S
The Red Wagon (Sewing & Art)
Vendor: (Info Pending)
Art
Chico and our neighboring towns have a thriving and vibrant art community. There are lots of ways to connect and help boost your children's artistic talents.
Pippin Grove (History / Art)
Vendor: C, S, L
Vendor: C, L, S
Vendor: C, L, S
Viking Woodworking and Learning Center
Vendor: C, L, S
Volunteering
Homeschoolers in our area have many opportunities to volunteer. Giving back to the community while building important work experience is a fantastic addition to many families' community involvement.
Butte Environmental Council (BEC)
Enloe Hospital (high school students)
Habitat for Humanity (high school students)
Chico Housing Action Team - CHAT
Habitat for Humanity (ages 16+)
Tiny Pine Foundation (Oroville)
Teens
These are programs that homeschooled teens in our area love. Also, be sure to see the volunteering section of this page. Many of the volunteering options are available only to teenagers.
North State Composite Mountain Bike Team
Vendor: Info Pending
Vendor: N/A
Thrive STEAM Enrichment - Teen Program
Vendor: C, L, S
Local Driving School (Driver's Training)
Vendor: None
Coastline Driving Academy (Driver's Training)
Vendor: None
Chico Community Band (CARD)
Vendor: C, L, S
Vendor: None
Co-ops
Co-ops are groups of homeschoolers that form to share the task of teaching their children. They can take many forms and range from groups of friends who share a common vision of education to faith-based groups. Here are some local co-ops.
Chico Homeschool Co-op (Now Forming - Secular)
Vendor: None
Anchor Co-Op (Christian)
Vendor: None
Muslim Moms of Butte County (Now Forming)
Vendor: None
Classical Conversations (Christian)
Vendor: None
Lighthouse Homeschool Co-op (Christian - Oroville)
Vendor: None
Preschoolers
These are programs that are great for younger siblings or children younger than 5 years old.
Vendor: None
Vendor: None
Vendor: None
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a popular sport and hobby in our area. Here are a few that are often recommended and/or accept local charter funds.
Jan's Rails to Trails Rescue Sanctuary
Vendor: C
Vendor: C
Animals & Farming
Here are places for kids to learn to work with animals and about gardening.
Willow Springs Garden School (gardening)
Vendor: Coming Soon
From The Ground Up (Kentfield Garden)
Vendor: N/A
Animal interaction with mini horses, goats, chickens and kittens. Short structured science lesson each week. Email for more information. 2nd - 4th graders
Vendor: C
Summer Camps
The Chico area really shines in summer. Hot summer days are perfect for making friends and having adventures. Our area hosts so many summer camps, we had to make a whole separate page for them!