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Pennsylvania State Parks
July 2022 E-Blast
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Somehow, it is mid-July. How did that happen?! The summer heat🔥and humidity have arrived. We hope you have found some time to recharge.
As you prepare for the upcoming school year we hope this content gives you inspiration!
Are you looking to fund a future science-based project? Check out the updates to the DEP EE Grants program update in Section 3 (Hint - there's more $$!)
Are you seeing Spotted Lanternflies everywhere? Take them out by using this easy-to-make Circle-style trap from Penn State Extension. Why use this trap?
Plan your upcoming trainings with PA State Parks! See below for all of the offerings and check out Upcoming PD in Section 2.
E-Blast Contents:
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Section 1: Summer Nature-Based Teaching Ideas, Resources, & Lessons
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Section 2: Earn Act 48 hours - In-Person Educator Professional Development Workshops
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Section 3: DEP EE Grant Update, Webinars, & Conferences for Educators
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Section 4: Explore the Outdoors!
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Section 5: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
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Capstone: PA State Park Updates
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As of July 16, 2002, the new Pennsylvania Academic Science Standards have been approved!
Final-form amendments to 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4 (Academic Standards and Assessment) were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 16, 2022. They have now taken effect for Pennsylvania.
These amendments establish three new sets of academic standards as follows:
The regulations provide a three-year window for implementation of the new standards and establish a July 1, 2025, effective date for the new standards. These new academic standards will replace the existing academic standards for Science and Technology and Environment and Ecology, and those existing standards will be sunset on June 30, 2024. The publication of final-form amendments to Chapter 4 is available electronically at the Pennsylvania Bulletin (pacodeandbulletin.gov).
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Section 1:
Nature-Based Teaching Ideas, Resources, & Lessons
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July is Lake Appreciation Month!
Celebrate lakes by creating some art. Use these wonderful Paint-by-Numbers guides to paint your own Tobyhanna State Park Lake💦 scene or Take It to the Lake Kayaking 🛶 adventure. These do-it-yourself Paint-by-Numbers guides were created for the PA Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) by Artist Melodie Schwarz-Higgins. They are appropriate for all skill levels and can be downloaded, printed, & painted to make a work of art anywhere.
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Have you tried Sun☀Prints? Making nature art using sun print paper & the sun☀is a great way to teach kids about the science of sun and shadows! It also encourages them to be observant of shapes, patterns, and sizes of plants, & more! Plus, you get some really gorgeous art prints. - from Run Wild My Child
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DCNR + PA Dept. of Health: Staying Safe from Ticks Video 2.25 min. Summertime lends to more time outdoors. Learn how to keep yourself and others protected from ticks. 🏕
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How to Introduce Students to Urban Birdwatching 🐦🕶
Interested in introducing kids to birding? Birding can be done in almost all environments - even urban areas. Thanks to Project Learning Tree (PLT), you now have a great starter guide to reference. Learn more now!
Try creating a Nature Window for Bird Watching in your classroom, nature center, or home! 👀
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Watershed💦Education Teacher Workshop
Wednesday, July 27 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm AND Thursday, July 28 from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm; must attend both days
In-Person at Ohiopyle State Park, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Act 48: 9+ hrs.
Fee: $35.00
This workshop is intended for 6-12 grade teachers & educators. We will delve into DCNR's Watershed Education (WE) curriculum, which explores all facets of Pennsylvania's watersheds and water basins. This two-day workshop will be offered for Act 48 hours. Participants must complete both days (July 27 & 28) of the training and a pre-assignment to receive hours. For information and to register contact Barbara Wallace, EES at 724-329-0986 or email bawallace@pa.gov.
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WILD About Pollinators🌸Educator Workshop
Tuesday, August 2, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
In-Person at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, 500 Kings Gap Road, Carlisle PA 17015
Fee: $28.00 payable in advance
Act 48: 5.5 hrs.
Join DCNR Kings Gap Environmental Education Staff to get WILD with Pennsylvania Pollinators, such as butterflies🦋, bees🐝, and hummingbirds! Pollinators are important for our ecosystem and for human survival. Use these exciting species to help you incorporate an environmental focus with science, social studies, language, music, art, and other subjects. During this workshop, participants will examine pollinators in the Kings Gap Native Plant garden, engage with live pollinators in their observation beehive, butterfly house, and as a part of community science, as well as exploring ways to help these species with hands-on projects. Project WILD provides wildlife-based conservation and environmental education activities that are hands-on, easy to use, and fun. Each participant will receive a Project Wild K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide plus additional teaching materials. Open to formal & non-formal educators. Pre-registration required by July 22. To Register or have questions, contact KingsGapSP@pa.gov or 717-486-5031.
Workshop Includes:
- Lunch in the Kings Gap Mansion dining room
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Project Wild K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide
- Additional Resources
GO Teach: GPS 101 Educator Workshop 🧭
Thursday, August 4, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
In-Person at Cowans Gap State Park, 6235 Aughwick Road, Fort Loudon, PA 17224
Act 48: 6 hrs.
Fee: $20.00 payable in advance; pre-registration by July 21, 2022 is required
Go Teach is a series of teacher workshops that focus on cross-curricular connections linked by common outdoor recreation. This workshop presents a set of standards based cross-curricular lessons that enable middle and high school students to learn about global positioning system (GPS) technology and how to use it for healthy lifelong recreation.
As a part of the workshop, teachers will receive:
- Lesson plans
- Act 48 hours
- Access to loaner equipment to help facilitate the lessons on their school grounds.
Pre-registration is required by July 21, 2022. Register NOW online or call the Cowans Gap State Park Office at (717) 485-3948. If you have questions or need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, contact George Barner, EES at 717-485-3948 or Ra-nrspcogaee@pa.gov
PLT: Energy & Society Educator Workshop
Wednesday, August 10, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
In-Person at Parker Dam State Park, 28 Fairview Road, Penfield, PA 15849
Act 48: 7.5 hrs.
Fee: $10.00 paid in advance
Every day we are faced with any number of choices about energy use. Most of these affect us individually, but they also affect society in general. Have you ever questioned which appliance to buy to save the most energy and money? At what temperature to set the thermostat? Whether to turn the computer off at the end of the day or leave it on overnight? Which vehicle to buy?
Incorporating energy education into elementary and middle school curricula provides students with the opportunity to learn about energy sources and uses. It also helps students understand how individual and collective choices about energy use affect their lives and the whole planet. Workshop participants will receive the Project Learning Tree (PLT) "Energy & Society" Activity Guide and other resources. To register or questions, call Parker Dam State Park at (814) 765-0630.
Watershed💦Education Teacher Workshop
Thursday, August 11, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
In-Person at Sinnemahoning State Park, 4843 Park Rd, Austin, PA 16720
Act 48: 11.5 hours, including 8.5 hours in class & 3-hours of pre-assignments
Pre-registration is required
Fee: $20.00; must be pre-paid.
Watershed Education (WE) is an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary curriculum for students in grades 6 -12. Developed and coordinated by the DCNR Bureau of State Parks, WE helps educators utilize local natural resources as a valuable teaching tool. By blending hands-on classroom and field investigations modeled on professional research methodologies, students participate in data collection and analysis, community networking and partnerships, stewardship and service learning activities.
WE promotes in-depth, multi-modal learning and understanding of water resources while encouraging students to examine their watershed holistically.
- Hands-on Field Investigations
- Addresses Environment & Ecology, Geography, History, STEM and additional PDE Standards
- Interdisciplinary lessons
- Journaling and portfolio development
Educators attending this workshop will receive the Bureau of State Parks award-winning Watershed Education (WE) Curriculum and additional resource materials, along with 11.5 Act 48 hours.
Register NOW ONLINE. To pay, mail checks payable to: Commonwealth of PA to Sinnemahoning State Park, 4843 Park Rd, Austin, PA 16720 or call the Sinnemahoning State Park office at 814-647-8401 to pay with a credit card. Questions? Contact Kim Lott, EES at klott@pa.gov or 814-647-8401.
Growing Up Wild🐻Educator Workshop
Thursday, August 11, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
In-Person, Outside at Blue Knob State Park, Burnt House Picnic Area, 124 Imler Road, Imler, PA
Act 48: 3 hrs.
Fee: FREE!
Growing Up WILD (GUW) is an award-winning early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Educators will receive the Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children ages 3-7 curriculum. Come have fun with hands-on activities. Workshop will be held outdoors. Snacks provided. For questions or registration contact Jessie Kohan, EES at 814-276-3576 or jkohan@pa.gov
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Flying🐦WILD Educator Workshop
Saturday, September 17, 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
In-Person at Pymatuning State Park, 2660 Williamsfield Road, Jamestown, PA 16134
Act 48: 6.5 hrs.
Fee: $15.00 payable in advance; pre-registration is required
Join certified PA State Park Educators for an interactive, hands-on Flying WILD educator workshop at Pymatuning State Park! Flying WILD is designed for educators working with middle school students and provides fun and easy to use environmental education activities focused on celebrating birds 🐦. Activities address science standards and complement many concepts presented in Project WILD and Project WILD Aquatic curricula. Workshop highlights include taking part in a PA Game Commission duck banding field experience, a live birds of prey program presented by Tamarack Wildlife Center, and a Flying Wild Curriculum book. This workshop is open to both formal & non-formal educators. To register, contact Emily Borcz, EES at eborcz@pa.gov or 724-932-3142 ext. 106.
Applied Growing Up WILD: Take Me Outside Educator Training
Saturday, September 17, 2022, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
In-Person at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, 3025 New Holland Road, Reading, PA 19607
Act 48: 4 hrs.
Fee: FREE!; pre-registration is required
Join Nolde Forest Education staff as they share techniques for teaching young children about the natural🌱world. Participants will learn outdoors through hands on instruction as facilitators model best practices for teaching outside while considering the safety of both students & living things. Lesson resources will be shared and each participant will receive the Growing Up WILD (GUW) Curriculum guide filled with integrated thematic units for students in grades PreK-2 that focus on teaching both inside and outside the classroom. All educators welcome – pre-service students, non-formal educators, and classroom teachers alike! Register NOW. Questions? Contact Sarah Presogna, EES Supervisor at spresogna@pa.gov.
PA Biodiversity Educator Workshop
Friday, September 23, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
In-Person, Outside at Codorus State Park, 2600 Smith Station Road, Hanover, PA 17331
Act 48: 3 hrs.
Fee: $15.00, payable in advance; make checks payable to: Commonwealth of PA
Find new ways to incorporate biodiversity into your classroom! This PA Biodiversity Educator Workshop provides 12 wildlife-based environmental education activities that are hands-on, easy to use, and fun! Upon completion of this 3-hour workshop, each participant will receive a PA Biodiversity Guide to keep, as well as goodies to take home!
This curriculum is designed for grades 5-12. Explore the fundamentals of biodiversity by investigating Pennsylvania-specific flora and fauna in this fun filled educator workshop. This program will be held outdoors. To register, call (717) 637-2816 option #7 or email NRCodorusEEPrograms@pa.gov Questions? Contact Renae Weidner, EES at Reweidner@pa.gov or 717.637.3454.
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Project🐰WILD Educator Workshop
Saturday, October 15, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
In-Person at PA State Parks Region 2 Office, 195 Park Road, Prospect PA 16052
Act 48: 7.5 hrs. (includes 2 hrs. pre-workshop activities)
Fee: $20.00 payable in advance. Registration is required.
Project Wild is a hands-on, wildlife-focused conservation education curriculum designed for educators working with students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. This workshop is open to all educators, from formal teachers to naturalists, scout leaders, and others! Earn 7.5 Act 48 hours with 2-hours of at-home activities before the workshop and 5.5-hours of in classroom instruction while experiencing hands-on activities near the shores of Lake Arthur. Participants will explore and receive the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. Prepare to be outside for a portion of the workshop. For more information or to register, contact Mike Shaffer, EES at mishaffer@pa.gov or call 724-368-8811.
WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands Educator Workshop💦
Friday, October 14, 9:00 am –2:30 pm
In-Person, Outside at Codorus State Park, 2600 Smith Station Road, Hanover, PA 17331
Act 48: 3 hrs.
Fee: $15.00, payable in advance; make checks payable to: Commonwealth of PA
Wetlands are diverse habitats that are great tools for teaching about
Pennsylvania’s aquatic spaces. This workshop will introduce environmental education activities that are hands-on, easy to use and fun!
Participants will gain resources through the WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands
curriculum, which is designed for formal and informal educators teaching grades K-12, that will help define wetlands, their functions, and how people are active in them. Participants will receive the WOW curriculum along with knowledge and skills to teach about wetlands and conservation. This program will be held outdoors. To register, call (717) 637-2816 option #7 or email NRCodorusEEPrograms@pa.gov. Questions? Contact Renae Weidner, EES at Reweidner@pa.gov or 717.637.3454.
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Section 3:
Upcoming Courses & Conferences for Educators
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~PA DEP EE GRANT UPDATE~
The Pennsylvania DEP EE Grants are significantly changed for the 2023 grant round.
The 2023 DEP EE Grant round will open one month earlier on August 1, 2022 and funding levels have been increased.
The impact of the pandemic has resulted in a significant amount of funding available for this coming round. Therefore, changes have been made with the intent of increasing the number of applicants and funded projects.
Learn more during the DEP EE Grants Program Webinar
September 27, 2022 , 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Fee: Free!
Registration is required. The session will be recorded and posted
The following funding modifications will take effect during the 2023 EE Grant round:
I. Increased Funding Levels
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Mini-Grants will be awarded up to $5,000 (prior years $3,000)
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General Grants Level I awarded up to $30,000 (prior years $20,000)
II. Expanded Eligible Expenses (DEP EE Grant manual pages 9-10)
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People Costs: Up to 50% of grant funds (35% in prior years)
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Travel Costs: Lodging is an eligible expense
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Resource Costs: General Grant I & II: No more than 30% (formerly 10%) of the total grant funds requested may be used to purchase program-specific technology
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Other Costs: Boat, kayak, canoe, and paddle boat rentals are eligible expenses. (purchases are not an eligible expense)
Water, Climate Change, and engaging people living and or working within Environmental Justice areas are the DEP EE Grant Program priorities.
Information about the 2023 EE Grants Program, including the 2023 EE Grants Program Manual is available on the EE Grants Home page.
Questions? Please contact: RA-epEEgrants@pa.gov
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CONFERENCES & WEBINARS~
Virtual Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education CONVENING (MACCEC)
Tuesday, July 26, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: FREE!
Join educators from throughout the Mid-Atlantic in a 1-day virtual convening focused on climate change education. This one-day event will bring together examples of education and outreach happening across our region focused on climate change action. Join a community of educators for an inspiring day of learning and looking to the future as we all share what needs to happen to move forward on climate change action. Space is limited. Register - www.maccec.org/registration. Organized & sponsored by NOAA, Sea Grant, Maryland DNR, & the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves.
WEBINARS from EARTH FORCE
K-12 Environmental Action Civics Course
August 1 - 5 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am each day
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August 8 - 12 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm each day
Fee: $300.00, the fee is waived for the first 30 registrants
Practice Environmental Action Civics this summer to gain the skills to guide student-led environmental civic action – right in your classroom, supplementing your existing curriculum. This deep dive into practical, actionable strategies focuses on how to build youth-adult partnerships, integrate civic experiences, facilitate student-led projects, connect students to stakeholders, and more.
By joining the 2022 Cohort of Environmental Action Civics, you’ll gain access to ongoing support throughout the year, opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback, live stakeholder sessions, and implementation funding. $250 project stipends are available on a limited basis to Chesapeake Bay Watershed educators (PA, VA, DE, MD, DC, WV). Click here to register.
Join EARTH FORCE for a Virtual Overview of their Caring for Our Watersheds Program
Tuesday, August 9, 3:30 - 4:00 pm
Fee: Free
Classroom groups of 10+more answer the question, “What can you do to improve your watershed”? Grades 5-10 educators and partners from the Mid-Atlantic Region are welcome to attend to learn more about this opportunity. You can do this in any subject matter, but social studies, special classes such as art and library, gifted classrooms, eco-clubs, science, and STEAM classes align best. Register at earthforce.org/events.
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Section 4:
Explore the Outdoors!
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Staying Safe While Outdoors 🏕 ...
In Pennsylvania, everyone talks about the beautiful vistas, breathtaking waterfalls, and wildlife viewing opportunities...
But there are some things that don’t get talked about much - “Where do I go to the bathroom? Are there snakes I need to worry about? Will bears come looking to steal my dinner?” Read more to learn tips on how to handle lightning⚡, venomous snakes🐍, keeping your food safe, and wilderness potty breaks from DCNR.
Tricks to Avoid Getting Sick from a Tick Webinar🔍
September 21, from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cost: Free!
Location: Online
Partner: Penn State Extension
Dean Rick Roush will be joined by expert Erika Machtinger, Assistant Professor of Entomology, Penn State University, to discuss the latest research and information on common ticks and tickborne diseases in Pennsylvania and best practices for how to avoid them. REGISTER NOW!
2022-2023 School Year GO Teach Equipment Requests Currently Being Accepted!
Have you attended one (or all) of the DCNR - PA State Park's GO Teach: Hiking🏃♂️, Snowshoe❄ and or GPS☼ workshops in the past? If YES, did you know that you are eligible to request the use of the associated loaner equipment? Kits are available on a first-come, first served request for two week intervals during the school year.
As you plan for the upcoming school year consider incorporating outdoor recreation in to your lessons. GO Teach is cross-curricular and easy to add into your lesson plans. Complete the equipment request form 📃🎒🧭❄
If you have questions or have not attended a GO Teach workshop and are interested in learning more please email Christine Ticehurst at cticehurst@pa.gov.
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Saturday, July 16 through Sunday, July 24 is Latino Conservation Week! Disfrutando y Conservando Nuestra Tierra -- an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation.
Latino Conservation Week was created to support the Latino community getting into the outdoors and participating in activities to protect our natural resources.
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) and DCNR are coming together with other community partners to offer a host of bilingual activities and learning experiences during the week. From bilingual story trails to paddle events and hikes to Tree Plantings to Virtual events, & more, there is so much to discover!
Find more information about Latino Conservation Week on the the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation website. Check the DCNR calendar of events for additional events, as they are continually being added.
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NEW! "Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journey of Black Professionals in Green Careers Guide" is currently available! Click here to receive the guide (scroll up for more info)!
EXPLORE THE JOURNEYS OF BLACK LEADERS IN CONSERVATION
Explore one of the spotlights from the guide to learn about the type of information included, such as:
- the career pathway timeline of each person spotlighted;
- the challenges they overcame and tools that helped;
- and their advice for future generations.
This project is supported by Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Related Sciences (MANRRS) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) with Project Learning Tree (PLT).
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PA State Parks are YOURS! | |
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Do you live in south western Pennsylvania? Check out the brand new pool complex at Ryerson Station State Park! This new state-of-the-art pool complex includes a “zero entry” pool, waterslide, and spray park!🏊
Are you or someone you know looking for a year-round or seasonal job?
PA State Parks is hiring! From Resource Rangers to Maintenance⛑ to Life Guards🏊 and more! This list is constantly updated. The link is sorted to DCNR jobs. Clear or change the filter to see other jobs in the Commonwealth. Subscribe Now to the Commonwealth of PA's Job Alerts for positions in state agencies (including DCNR).
Book your virtual, in-person programs, and field experiences with PA State Park Education staff now! Find a PA State Park. Need help connecting to a PA State Park with an Educator on staff? Reach out to Carissa Longo at calongo@pa.gov.
Good News for Conservation, Clean Water, the Environment, and DCNR/PA State Parks in the 2022/2023 Pennsylvania Budget! 🤩
DCNR facilities and Programs are OPEN with social distancing encouraged:
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Many Environmental Education programs require pre-registration. Explore the DCNR events calendar for details and to register.
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Plan your outing before you leave. Learn about facilities, download a park map, and review regulations here: Find park pages here
- Take care of & respect the resource. Park, hike, picnic, launch your kayak, hunt, & more only in designated areas.
- Check the weather before you depart, wear proper footwear, dress in layers, and bring water with you.
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Wear orange if hiking in designated hunting areas.
- Download before you leave or carry a park map with you!
- Please do not litter 🚮.
- Alcohol is not allowed in PA State Parks.
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Make a reservation at a PA State Park Campground, Camping Cottage, Cabin, or Yurt. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
You can help keep state parks safe for all by following these practices:
- Use the restroom before you leave your house 🏡
- Bring a bag and either carry out your trash or dispose of it properly
- Stay on marked trails
- Clean up after pets 🐕
- Continue to practice social distancing (stay >6' apart)
- Take hand sanitizer with you and use it regularly
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Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose
- If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, stay home
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