Green Genes

May 22

6 to 8 p.m.

Jennings Environmental Education Center,

Brady Township

Exploring heredity traits, and DNA in nature, young explorers will examine and compare the differences in plant tissues using various tools such as microscopes. Registration is required. Call 724-794-6011.

Mushroom Walk

May 25

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

McConnells Mill

Slippery Rock Township,

Lawrence County

Walk along the Slippery Rock Gorge with members from the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club.

Slippery Rock Gorge Trail Hike

June 1

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

McConnells Mill

Park staff will be leading a hike from the Hell’s Hollow parking lot on a 7.2 mile guided hike of the Slippery Rock Creek Gorge. To register, call the park office at 724-368-8811.

Bird Walk

June 8

9 a.m. to noon

Moraine State Park

Muddy Creek Township

Bird walk with the Bartramian Audobon Society on the Butterfly Trail. Starts at the McDanel’s Launch/Owlet Gift Shop Parking Lot.

Author talk

June 11

6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Moraine State Park

Author Polly Shaw presents a free program about the Western Allegheny Railroad. Program is in the pavilion near the Owlet Gift Shop.

Trees are Terrific

June 11

10:30 a.m. to noon or 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

Children will be introduced to trees through the use of hikes, games, interactive play and crafts. This is part of a series called DiscoverE Hide-N-Seekers for children, ages 4 and 5.

Watercolor Wednesdays

June 12

10 a.m. to noon

Owlet Gift Shop

Moraine State Park

Watercolor Wednesdays are a recurring event on the second Wednesday each month of the summer. A free painting workshop for adults of all skill levels. Reservations are required. Call 724-794-6011.

Twilight Hike in Hell’s Hollow

June 14

6:30 p.m.

McConnells Mill

A park guided tour exploring the unique geology of Hell Run.

KAYAKING COURSE

June 16

9 a.m. to noon

McDanel’s Launch Area

Moraine State Park

Entry-level American Canoe Association kayaking course. Open to participants over the age of 12. Meet at pavilion six. Equipment provided; registration required. Call 724-794-6011.

EYE Con Summer Science Institute for Teens

June 17-20

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

A summer science experience for students from ninth to 12th grade and graduating seniors. Students can earn two credits from Westminster College as they design their own investigations, work one-on-one with professional ecologists and biologists, carry out scientific research and present the findings. Registration is required and available through Westminster College with a fee involved for the credits.

McConnells Mill history

June 19

7 to 8:30 p.m.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

The 3MJC Meeting will feature a program on the History of McConnells Mill presented by Bill May. The historian and storyteller will talk about the creation of McConnells Mill State Park through the lives and friendship of Civil War Cpt. Thomas McConnell and Mose Wharton, a freed slave from North Carolina.

Trees are Terrific

June 25

10:30 a.m. to noon or 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

Children ages 4 and 5 will be introduced to trees through the use of hikes, games, interactive play and crafts. This is part of a series called, DiscoverE Hide-N-Seekers.

International Mud Day Celebration

June 29

Noon to 3 p.m.

Moraine State Park

International Mud Day Celebration with park naturalists. Activities include building animal mud structures, conducting an archaeology dig and more.

Fly Fishing

June 30

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Bear Run Boat Launch

Moraine State Park

Family Fishing program led by park staff. Learn basic fishing skills; parents must bring a child/child must bring a parent. Meet at Bear Run Boat Launch. Equipment provided; reservation required. Call 724-794-6011.

Salamander Safari

July 6

4 to 5:30 p.m.

McConnells Mill

A group effort of exploring Hell Run Creek and searching for salamanders.

Discover-E Camp

July 9-11

8 to 10 p.m.

Moraine State Park

Outdoor Explorers “Nature at Night” is a three-day camp program about owls, fireflies and bats for children, ages 6 to 8. Registration is required. Call 724-794-6011.

Watercolor Wednesdays

July 10

10 a.m. to noon

Owlet Gift Shop

Moraine State Park

Reservation required. Call 724-794-6011.

Survival Skills

July 11

10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

Children ages 6 to 8 will learn several skills each week such as building a shelter, knot tying and more. Registration is required; call 724-794-6011.

Paddle Lake Arthur

July 15

8 to 10:30 p.m.

Pleasant Valley Launch

Moraine State Park

225 Pleasant Valley Road

Muddy Creek Township

Paddle Lake Arthur under the full moon. Meet at Pleasant Valley Launch. Limited amount of equipment provided; registration required. Call 724-794-6011.

Survival Skills

July 18

10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

Children, ages 6 to 8, will learn several skills each week such as finding and purifying water. The children will also take part in the Hug-A-Tree safety program. Registration is required; call 724-794-6011.

Archery 101

July 19

1 to 3 p.m.

Pavilion 5, North Shore

Moraine State Park

Archery 101 program for ages 10 and up. Learn the basics of archery. Registration required. Call 724-794-6011.

Bats in Action

July 20

8 to 9:30 p.m.

Mount Zion Baptist Church

2251 Prospect Road,

Prospect

Bats in Action is a program with a park naturalist. See a bat condo and learn about the troubles bats face. Meet at the church on the shore of Lake Arthur; bring blankets, chairs, flashlights and bug protection.

Discover-E Camp

July 25 and Aug. 1 and 8

1 to 4:30 p.m.

Moraine State Park

For Penn’s Adventurers, ages 9 to 12, held on each of the three Thursdays listed. Learn about outdoor skills like disc golf, kayaking, archery and more. Equipment and materials provided. Program costs $15; registration is required. Call 724-794-6011.

Survival Skills

July 25

10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

Children, age 6 to 8, will learn several skills each week such as signaling for help, building a fire and more. Registration is required; call 724-794-6011.

July 31

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children, age 9 to 12, will learn several skills each week such as building a shelter, knot tying and more. Registration is required; call 724-794-6011.

Aug. 7

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children, age 9 to 12, will learn several skills each week such as finding and purifying water and more. The children will also take part in the Hug-A-Tree safety program. Registration is required; call 724-794-6011.

Aug. 31

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children, age 9 to 12, will learn several skills each week such as signaling for help, building a fire and more. Registration is required and possible by calling the park office at 724-794-6011.

Discover-E Camp

Aug. 8

10 a.m.

McConnells Mill

Campers, age 9 to 12, will be learning about fishing and hiking at McConnells Mill. Pre-registration is required; call 724-368-8811.

Watercolor Wednesdays

Aug. 14

10 a.m. to noon

Owlet Gift Shop

Moraine State Park

Reservation required. Call 724-794-6011.

Volunteer Work Day

Aug. 17

9 a.m.

McConnells Mill

Open to any to help volunteers to help clean up picnic and parking areas and Gristmill. Large groups should call the park office ahead of time at 724-368-8811.