Deep in the Mendocino woods, MSSF members gather once again for our annual north coast fun fungal rite of autumn at Mendocino Woodlands.

Friday evening presenter will be: Brian Perry

Saturday evening presenter will be: David Campbell

Camp Mycologist: Else Vellinga

Please view the detailed Foray Leader descriptions on MSSF web site.

The forays are briefly described at the end of this event description - choose which foray you prefer before you go to the ticket purchase window; have a backup option in case your first choice has already filled.

Links to Camp Schedule - 2025 and Program 2025 .

This annual weekend-long spectacular MSSF-member mycological event includes guided forays, presentations, delicious mushroom themed meals and appetizers, creative mushroom pop up activities, and of course, plenty of mushrooms!

All on-site meals and lodging [Friday night through Sunday lunch] are included in the basic $345 per person adult member rate. [Humans, age 12 and under, have a reduced rate.]

Mendocino Woodlands does NOT allow pets.
Please read the cancellation policy at the bottom!
Get your Jackson Demonstration State Forest permit right away!
- It's snail mail, and doesn't have speedy turn-around time
- Mushroom Permit Information (PDF) BY MAIL ONLY- Allow 14 working days . [send your permit form by Oct 24]
The maximum number that can register for this event is 140, including staff and volunteers
- Once the event sells-out, a wait list will open automatically
Up to 4 individuals can be registered per order
- Everyone has to be registered - including children of any age
- Everyone must be an MSSF member (it will be verified in the member database), including children
- In your mssf.org member-only area, you can add additional family members (who live at the same address), to your membership
- Additional family members do not pay dues. They don't need to have an email address.
MSSF is in Camp #1 - Lodging details
Menu for the weekend

As you complete your registration, you will be providing info to the camp registrars.

MORE INFORMATION: In the last few days before camp, a phone call or text will be more effective communication than email [for last minute issues]. There is no WiFi and minimal/no cell signal at Mendocino Woodlands; staff will be there by Thursday afternoon/evening, without 21st century electronic connection. Best option after Thursday noon, is to send a text - camp staff do go in to town daily, to check messages.

Camp Director: David Gardella or (602)-617-0150 - for general questions

Camp Registrar: Stephanie Wright, or (510) 388-5009 - registration, wait-list questions, 1st-timer questions, cabin assignments, tips for having the best experience

2025 Mendo Forays

Information about the forays and foray leaders; after you reserve your place at camp, you will choose a foray [multiple-choice question during check-out].

Long forays last 4-6 hours; short forays go out for 2-4 hours.
All expert-led forays take place on Saturday, immediately after breakfast.

Foray #1: Norm Andresen & David Campbell - Educational & Edible focus

Long; Carpool to several locations in Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Norm has been a member of the MSSF, since 1986.and has led numerous forays throughout the years to Salt Point SP, JDSF, the Sierras,

David Campbell has been collecting, studying, eating, teaching, and writing about wild mushrooms for 50 years.

Foray #2: Ken Litchfield - Educational, Edible, and Cultivation Oriented

Short; Hike on trails from Camp 1 into Jackson Demonstration State Forest

At Mendo Camp, Ken leads a foray that departs from camp and also leads the Saturday night MycoMendoMondo event.

Ken Litchfield

Foray #3: Brennen Wenck & Brian Perry - Educational, Edible, & Scientific Focus
Long; Carpool to several locations in Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Brennan Wenck is a Faculty Lecturer in biology at SFSU and teaches a night photography class at the SF State Sierra Nevada Field Campus during the summer.

Brian teaches several mycology courses at Cal State East Bay and the Sierra Nevada Field Campus.

Foray #4: JR Blair - Educational Foray & Beginning Mushroom Identification Class

Short; This foray will walk from Camp #1 into Jackson Demonstration State Forest followed by an ID class back at camp

JR Blair

JR was a lecturer of biology at SFSU for 21 years until his retirement in 2020 and has taught mushroom identification workshops for mycological societies and outdoor education programs for many years.

Foray #5: Gregg Miller & Brian Simmonds-Miller - Educational, Edible & Scientific Focus

Long; Carpool to several locations in Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Gregg enthusiastically shares his knowledge of fungi by leading forays for both the MSSF SOMA).

Gregg Miller

Brian Simmonds-Miller

Brian has been hunting mushrooms for most of his life has assisted in leading guided forays through the Bay Area and Coastal California forests with LandPaths, MSSF, SOMA.

Foray #6: Maria Pham - Educational & Edible Foray

Long; Carpool to several locations in Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Maria Pham

My foray would focus on edibles and suit participants of all ages.

Maria is MSSF Vice-President and Coordinator of the Fungus Fair "I devote one day a week to foraging during the season. I often hunt with my daughters and friends."

Foray #7: Jenna Hinshaw - Educational & Edible focus

Long; Carpool to several locations in Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Jenna Hinshaw is a professional forager born and raised on the Mendocino Coast. She has been picking wild mushrooms for over 30 years.

Jenna Hinshaw

Foray #8: Pascal Pelous - Educational & Edible Oriented

Long; Carpool to several locations in Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Pascal Pelous with Sparassis

After learning the basics in France from my family, hunting for mushrooms has become my favorite hobby after moving to California in 1994.


Far West Fungi has generously donated the soup and the mushrooms included in the menu for the weekend.

Deep in the Mendocino woods, MSSF members gather once again for our annual north coast fun fungal rite of autumn at Mendocino Woodlands.

Friday evening presenter will be: Brian Perry

Saturday evening presenter will be: David Campbell

Camp Mycologist: Else Vellinga

Please view the detailed Foray Leader descriptions on MSSF web site.

The forays are briefly described at the end of this event description - choose which foray you prefer before you go to the ticket purchase window; have a backup option in case your first choice has already filled.

Links to Camp Schedule - 2025 and Program 2025.

This annual weekend-long spectacular MSSF-member mycological event includes guided forays, presentations, delicious mushroom themed meals and appetizers, creative mushroom pop up activities, and of course, plenty of mushrooms!

All on-site meals and lodging [Friday night through Sunday lunch] are included in the basic $345 per person adult member rate. [Humans, age 12 and under, have a reduced rate.]

As you complete your registration, you will be providing info to the camp registrars.

Camp Director: David Gardella or (602)-617-0150 - for general questions

Camp Registrar: Stephanie Wright, or (510) 388-5009 - registration, wait-list questions, 1st-timer questions, cabin assignments, tips for having the best experience

2025 Mendo Forays

Information about the forays and foray leaders; after you reserve your place at camp, you will choose a foray [multiple-choice question during check-out].

Foray #1: Norm Andresen & David Campbell - Educational & Edible focus

Norm has been a member of the MSSF, since 1986.and has led numerous forays throughout the years to Salt Point SP, JDSF, the Sierras,

David Campbell has been collecting, studying, eating, teaching, and writing about wild mushrooms for 50 years.

Foray #2: Ken Litchfield - Educational, Edible, and Cultivation Oriented

At Mendo Camp, Ken leads a foray that departs from camp and also leads the Saturday night MycoMendoMondo event.

Foray #3: Brennen Wenck & Brian Perry - Educational, Edible, & Scientific FocusLong; Carpool to several locations in Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Brennan Wenck is a Faculty Lecturer in biology at SFSU and teaches a night photography class at the SF State Sierra Nevada Field Campus during the summer.

Brian teaches several mycology courses at Cal State East Bay and the Sierra Nevada Field Campus.

Foray #4: JR Blair - Educational Foray & Beginning Mushroom Identification Class

JR was a lecturer of biology at SFSU for 21 years until his retirement in 2020 and has taught mushroom identification workshops for mycological societies and outdoor education programs for many years.

Foray #5: Gregg Miller & Brian Simmonds-Miller - Educational, Edible & Scientific Focus

Gregg enthusiastically shares his knowledge of fungi by leading forays for both the MSSF SOMA).

Brian has been hunting mushrooms for most of his life has assisted in leading guided forays through the Bay Area and Coastal California forests with LandPaths, MSSF, SOMA.

Foray #6: Maria Pham - Educational & Edible Foray

My foray would focus on edibles and suit participants of all ages.

Maria is MSSF Vice-President and Coordinator of the Fungus Fair "I devote one day a week to foraging during the season. I often hunt with my daughters and friends."

Foray #7: Jenna Hinshaw - Educational & Edible focus

Jenna Hinshaw is a professional forager born and raised on the Mendocino Coast. She has been picking wild mushrooms for over 30 years.

Foray #8: Pascal Pelous - Educational & Edible Oriented

After learning the basics in France from my family, hunting for mushrooms has become my favorite hobby after moving to California in 1994.

Links to Camp Schedule - 2025 and Program 2025 .

Foray #3: Brennen Wenck & Brian Perry - Educational, Edible, & Scientific Focus
Long; Carpool to several locations in Jackson Demonstration State Forest