Hen Fest
2025-09-28 10:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | within an hour of minneapolis
Maitake (also known as Hen of the Woods) is a prized mushroom you’ll find in many fine dining establishments —and luckily for us, it can also be found right here in the forest each fall. With its rich, earthy flavor and versatility in the kitchen, maitake makes the perfect centerpiece for a seasonal gathering. And we have the perfect place to do just that – Big Rock Creek in St. Criox Falls Wisconsin. We’d love for you to join us in celebrating this incredible mushroom!
Your day will include:

Mushroom education and identification tips
A guided hunt for fall mushrooms
Live cooking demo
A delicious maitake-focused lunch
Creative ways to cook and preserve maitake
Happy Hour with more maitake tastings and optional cocktails

The Fabulous Chef Jodi with Borealle will be creating the dishes
and Jaime will be educating and leading the mushroom hunt.
While nature never guarantees what we’ll find, there’s a good chance you’ll head home with some valuable mushrooms—and plenty of inspiration.
Reserve your Maitake Experience today!
Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly.
Itinerary
10:30–12:15 Educational Presentation & Cooking Demo
12:15–1:30 Lunch
1:30–3:30 Mushroom Hunt
3:30-4:00 Mushroom Review
4:00–5:00 Happy Hour with maitake snacks (cocktails available for purchase)
Important Notes

This is a rain-or-shine event. In the case of severe weather, you’ll receive credit toward a future event.
A day pass is required for this location and can be purchased here.
This will be a plant-based (vegan) experience. Please email us with any food restrictions before registering so we can confirm accommodations.
Be prepared to walk off-trail on uneven terrain.
Mushroom finds are never guaranteed.
If minimum attendance isn’t met, the event may be cancelled and refunds provided.
No refunds for cancellations, but with at least one week’s notice, we will provide credit to a future event.

Last Chance Mushroom Hunt
2025-10-05 13:00 - 16:00 | within an hour of minneapolis
The last mushroom foraging class of the year! An outdoor adventure for those interested in learning how to forage for wild, edible mushrooms. We will first take about one hour to discuss foraging basics, safety, tips/tricks to successful foraging, cover species of interest, and answer any questions. Then we will wander down the trail and into the woods looking for, discussing, and harvesting any edible mushrooms we find. We will meet back where we started to wrap up and go over what we found and answer any last minute questions. No experience necessary. We will split any mushrooms we find evenly with the group.
Approximate Itinerary:
1-2pm: Intro and Discussion
2-3:45pm: Foraging
3:45-4pm: Review mushrooms
The exact location of the event will be emailed to attendees at least 24 hours before the event.
Disclaimers:
*Mushroom and plant growth is subject to various environmental factors, and their presence during our foraging adventures cannot be guaranteed.
*We will be walking off-trail and on uneven terrain.
*The location may require a parking fee or day pass.
*The event in geared towards adults, but if you think your child would enjoy it, they are welcome at the same rate as adults.
*The exact location and more details will be shared with you the day prior to the event, or sooner.
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
*If you cancel at least 72 hours prior to the event, credit will be given towards a future event. No credit will be given for cancellations within 72 hours of the event.
*This is a rain or shine event, but if conditions are severe, the hunt will be cancelled and credit will be given to use at a future event.
*Class may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not met. Refunds will be given in this scenario.

Private Foraging Class
2025-10-08 17:00 - 19:00 | MN
We are busy teaching a class today! Interesting in learning more?
In addition to private foraging adventures, we also offer educational classes on wild mushrooms, edible plants, and tree identification. These classes are a great way to deepen your knowledge of the natural world, whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your skills. Some of our most popular class topics include springtime mushrooms, summer mushrooms, fall mushrooms, tree identification, and edible plants and berries—with the option to combine plants, berries, trees, and/or mushrooms into one session. We can teach online or indoors any time of year – or teach outdoors April through November. Whenever possible, we will bring fresh, in-season samples.
Each class covers the basics of safe and ethical foraging, how to properly identify wild species, and how to locate them in their natural habitats. We tailor the content to the season and the interests of your group, making it a flexible and engaging learning experience. Pricing starts at $200 for up to a 1-hour class. Please message us at in**@*************ds.com to schedule a call and discuss what kind of class would be the best fit for your group.

Who's That Tree?
2025-10-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Theodore Wirth Park, 3200 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55405
Find More Mushrooms by Knowing Your Trees
Ever spend hours wandering the woods unsure where to look for mushrooms? Learning tree identification solves that problem. When you know which trees host your favorite edible mushrooms, you stop guessing and start finding.
In this class, Chick of the Woods will teach simple, practical tree identification techniques that go beyond leaf shape, with a focus on trees that support choice edible mushrooms. You’ll learn what trees deserve your attention and which ones you can pass by.
A few days before the walk, you’ll receive an exclusive video covering tree ID basics and five key mushroom-hosting trees: oak, elm, box elder, cottonwood, and ash. This prep work means less lecture and more hands-on learning in the woods.
The in-person portion is a fun, guided walk on established trails (about 1.5–2 hours), practicing real-time tree identification and connecting trees to the mushrooms that grow with them.
You’ll leave feeling more confident, capable, and equipped to forage smarter for years to come—and it makes a thoughtful, well-loved gift for nature lovers.
Who this class is for

Beginner and intermediate mushroom foragers
Nature lovers curious about trees and fungi
Gardeners and outdoor educators
Anyone tired of guessing where mushrooms grow
A unique, practical gift for the outdoorsy person in your life

Held rain or shine, with weather adjustments as needed. If canceled, credits will be provided for a future event.
Join Chick of the Woods and start seeing the forest the way mushrooms do.
Disclaimers & Policies

This is an outdoor educational event; participants attend at their own risk. Terrain may be uneven, include roots, mud, or off-trail walking. Wear appropriate footwear and weather-ready clothing.
Mushroom and plant growth depends on environmental conditions; sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Some locations may require a parking fee or day-use pass.
This event is geared toward adults, but children are welcome if suitable for them; all attend at the same rate.
Exact meeting location and final details will be shared the day before the event (or sooner).
Photographs or video may be taken for educational or promotional use; notify us if you prefer not to be included.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Cancellations ≥72 hours before the event receive a credit toward a future class. Cancellations within 72 hours are not eligible for credit.
Rain or shine; if severe conditions make the event unsafe, it will be canceled and a credit issued.
If minimum attendance is not met, the event may be canceled and full refunds provided.

2025 Holiday Forest Fair
2025-12-13 11:00 - 17:00 | Mustard Seed Garden Center, 10000 Great Plains Blvd, Chaska, MN, 55318, United States
The 4th Annual Holiday Forest Fair, hosted by Chick of the Woods, will take place on December 13, 2025 from 11am-5pm at the warm greenhouses (yes, they are heated) of the Mustard Seed Garden Center in Chaska, MN. This festive event is FREE and is a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Please RSVP below for tickets and to be updated on the event. Many more details to come.

With 40+ nature-themed vendors, attendees can browse and shop for unique gifts and treasures. The event will also feature expert demonstrations from nature enthusiasts, including special guests Robin Greenfield, ForagerChef, Sam Thayer, and Hank Shaw who will share their knowledge and passion for the outdoors. Visitors can enjoy interactive activities for all ages, delicious food and beverages, and festive photo opportunities with Santa and the Morel Man. Visit the Holiday Forest Fair Instagram Page or Facebook Event to see samples of the unique items vendors will be bringing and more information on demonstrations and events.

Please contact Chick of the Woods if you or someone you know would be interested in vending or conducting a demonstration. *Must be nature-themed.*

Morel Mushroom Hunting - Online Class
2026-04-16 18:30 - 20:30 | MN
Find More Morels—With Confidence
Whether you’re brand new to morel hunting or have been searching for years with mixed success, this in-depth online morel mushroom class is designed to dramatically improve your chances of finding morels in the Midwest.
This class will stop you from wandering the woods without knowing where, when, or why morels grow where they do. By the end of this class, you’ll replace guesswork with proven strategies.
Most importantly, you’ll gain the confidence to identify morels correctly, avoid dangerous look-alikes, and forage safely and ethically.
What You’ll Learn

Where and when to find morels in the Midwest
How to identify true morels vs. look-alikes
Foraging basics and safety best practices
Tree identification and habitat clues
Helpful apps, websites, and tools
Cooking and preservation methods
Insider tips and tricks to increase your success year after year

We’ll focus primarily on common morels (yellows/blondes, Morchella americana), with an introduction to half-free and black morels.
Who Is This Class For?

Complete beginners who want to start foraging safely and confidently
Morel hunters who want tips to find more morels
Gardeners, hikers, and nature lovers curious about edible mushrooms
Foragers who want to better understand tree associations
Anyone who wants to spend less time searching and more time finding

Can’t Attend Live or Afraid You’ll Forget?
No problem. All ticket holders receive access to the class recording for one full week, so you can watch (or rewatch) on your own schedule. Everyone will also receive a free, downloadable “tips and tricks” pdf for finding morel mushrooms.
Guarantee
If, after attending the class or watching the recording, you don’t feel you gained enough practical value to improve your morel hunting, simply reach out and we’ll refund your ticket—no hard feelings and no questions asked.
A Thoughtful Gift for Nature Lovers
This class makes a wonderful gift for mushroom lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, gardeners, and curious beginners.
**Registration closes at 4:00 PM on the day of the event. A link to the virtual class and the downloadable “tips and tricks” pdf will be emailed to attendees at that time.

Know the Trees - Find the Mushrooms
2026-04-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Theodore Wirth Park, 3200 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55405
Find More Mushrooms by Knowing Your Trees
Ever spend hours wandering the woods unsure where to look for mushrooms? Learning tree identification solves that problem. When you know which trees host your favorite edible mushrooms, you stop guessing and start finding.
In this class, Chick of the Woods will teach simple, practical tree identification techniques that go beyond leaf shape, with a focus on trees that host choice edible mushrooms. You’ll learn what trees deserve your attention and which ones you can pass by.
A few days before the walk, you’ll receive an exclusive video covering tree ID basics and key mushroom-loving trees. This prep work means less lecture and more hands-on learning in the woods.
The in-person portion is a fun, guided walk on established trails, practicing real-time tree identification and connecting trees to the mushrooms that grow with them.
You’ll leave feeling more confident, capable, and equipped to forage smarter for years to come.
Who this class is for

Beginner and intermediate mushroom foragers
Nature lovers curious about trees and fungi
Gardeners and outdoor educators
Anyone tired of guessing where mushrooms grow
A unique, practical gift for the outdoorsy person in your life

2026 Holiday Forest Fair
2026-12-12 | MN
The 5th Annual Holiday Forest Fair, hosted by Chick of the Woods, will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2025. More details regarding the event can be found on the Holiday Forest Fair webpage, Instagram page, or Facebook Event.
Please RSVP below for free tickets and to be updated on the event.
