National Smore's Day Story & Hike
August 10, 2026
8pm
$8/child
Did you know Monday, August 10th is National S'mores Day? Before school starts back up, join us for a fun and ooey gooey s'mores hike.
We'll start by reading a nature inspired story and then as the sun sets, go on an easy half-mile hike on one of the Outdoor Discovery Center trails.
We’ll end at the fire for gooey s’mores and simple activities that spark curiosity and a love of learning. Your registration supports Armstrong Center for Community Learning’s outdoor education and environmental stewardship programs.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR NATIONAL SMORE'S DAY STORY & HIKE.
Stump Stories
September 1, 2026
10am
FREE
Bring your preschooler out for Stump Stories where we'll read a nature inspired story, make a simple craft, and go on a short hike.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR STUMP STORIES.
Nature Lessons for Elementary Age Homeschool Students
September 8, 2026
10am or 1pm sessions offered
$10/student
The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer nature lessons to elementary age homeschooled students each month. The approximately two-hour program will run the second Tuesday of every month, September 2026 – May 2027. Two-hour sessions at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM will be offered each month. Sessions will include a fun and hands-on mix of nature lessons, crafts, games, hikes, experiments, and more.
Depending on the topic we will make use of our indoor and outdoor classrooms; our animal room which has an impressive display of mounted, taxidermized mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish; our lawn and trails.
Upcoming Class: September 8, 2026 – Animal Classification: Students will learn how animals are grouped together based on shared characteristics. Students will learn the differences between invertebrates and vertebrates as well as warm-blooded versus cold-blooded creatures.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE HOMESCHOOL NATURE LESSON ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2026.
Each session is $10/child. Pay in advance for all nine classes at the discounted rate of $78 (save $12). Advanced registration is required so that we may plan accordingly. You may pay by cash or check (made payable to the Armstrong Center for Community Learning) the day of the class.
Class size is limited.
If you have questions, please contact Rachel Filippini, ODC Program Coordinator at [email protected] or call 724-763-6316.
Nature Book Club
September 8, 2026
7pm
FREE
In September we will be discussing Is A River Alive by Robert Macfarlane. Join us for lively and informative conversation.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE UPCOMING NATURE BOOK CLUB MEETING.
Summer's Last Fling 2026
A Benefit for the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek
Celebrating 25 Years of Outdoor Discovery
Join us on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 6:00-9:00 PM for Summer's Last Fling, the fifth annual fundraiser benefiting the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek.
Hosted by the Armstrong Center for Community Learning, this family-friendly community celebration supports outdoor education, recreation, and outreach programs that connect thousands of children, families, and lifelong learners with nature each year.
In 2025 alone, the Outdoor Discovery Center served more than 4,300 participants through camps, field trips, homeschool programs, educational workshops, outdoor recreation opportunities, and community events. As we celebrate the Outdoor Discovery Center's 25th Anniversary, your support will help ensure these programs continue to grow and remain accessible for years to come.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, Ford City, PA 16226
Adult Admission: $25/person
Child Admission: $10/person (children ages 5-12)
Children Under 5: Free
ENJOY AN EVENING OF
- Live music by Yachtness Monster Band and Billy Postle on acoustic guitar
- Delicious food and refreshments
- Basket raffles featuring a variety of great prizes
- Silent auctions with unique items and experiences
- A welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere in Crooked Creek Lake Recreation Area
TICKETS
Tickets for Summer's Last Fling may be purchased online by clicking here. Additionally, paper tickets may be purchased by contacting the Armstrong Center for Community Learning at 724-543-2599, or visiting the ACCL at 104 Armstrong Street, Suite A, Ford City, PA 16226.
WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
Proceeds from Summer's Last Fling directly support:
- Youth outdoor education programs
- School field trips and homeschool learning experiences
- Summer camps and family programs
- Conservation and environmental stewardship initiatives
- Community recreation and outreach activities
As demand for our programs continues to grow, your participation helps us expand access to meaningful outdoor learning experiences for individuals and families throughout our region.
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS
Each year during Summer's Last Fling, the Armstrong Center for Community Learning recognizes individuals and organizations whose dedication has strengthened the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek and expanded opportunities for environmental education, recreation and lifelong learning.
Steve and Rita Black have been selected at the 2026 Outdoor Discovery Center Volunteers of the Year in recognition of their outstanding dedication, passion and countless hours of service. Their commitment has made a lasting impact on the Outdoor Discovery Center and on the thousands of children, families and community members who enjoy its programs each year.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Crooked Creek Lake has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural Community Champion Award for its longstanding partnership with the Outdoor Discovery Center. Through its stewardship of Crooked Creek Lake, environmental leadership, educational programming and continued support of the Outdoor Discovery Center, the Army Corps has played a vital role in enhancing outdoor recreation and environmental education throughout Armstrong County.
The recipients will be formally recognized during Summer's Last Fling as we celebrate the volunteers and partners whose service make the Outdoor Discovery Center possible.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Businesses, organizations, and individuals are invited to support Summer's Last Fling through sponsorships ranging from $50 to $2,000.
Sponsors receive recognition though event materials, social media, website promotion, and event signage while helping strengthen outdoor education opportunities in our community.
Sponsor Deadline: August 28, 2026
Click here to download the sponsorship information.
DONATE A RAFFLE BASKET OR AUCTION ITEM
We are also seeking donations of raffle baskets, gift certificates, outdoor recreation equipment, experiences, and silent auction items. Your contribution helps make this event successful while supporting the Outdoor Discovery Center's mission.
HELP US CELEBRATE 25 YEARS
Whether you attend, sponsor, donate or volunteer, your support helps connect people to resources that enhance lifelong learning through education, recreation and outreach.
We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating 25 years of outdoor discovery and investing in the future of our community.
Mr. YUK Program
September 16, 2026
6pm
FREE
Join the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Armstrong County for an important poison prevention program. This program is for elementary age children & their parents, grandparents & caregivers.
Attendees will learn about pests, integrated pest management & poison safety, including identifying signal words, such as “danger,” “warning” & “caution” on product labels for potential toxicity. Instructors emphasize the importance of using the “Mr. YUK” symbol to alert everyone in the home about dangerous products and to promote overall safety.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE MR. YUK PROGRAM.
Forest Bathing
September 22, 2026
6pm
FREE
Learn the art of "forest bathing", just another way to say immersing yourself in the forest atmosphere, with PA Master Naturalist Kay Owen. The practice encourages people to simply spend time in nature. This is an opportunity to slow down, turn off your devices, and give yourself the best chance of relaxing, being mindful, and enjoying a sensory forest-based experience.
Did you know, spending time outdoors, especially in green spaces, can improve health - lowering stress, blood pressure and heart rate, while encouraging physical activity and improving mood and mental health?
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE UPCOMING FOREST BATHING PROGRAM.
Fireside Conversation with Daryln Brewer Hoffstot
September 23, 2026
6pm
FREE
Join us for Fireside Conversations: An evening of stories, science & conversation with authors, naturalists, conservationists, gardeners, photographers, & others who inspire a deeper connection to the natural world.
Our inaugural fireside conversation will feature Daryln Brewer Hoffstot, the author of A Farm Life: Observations from Fields & Forests and the new book This Patch of Earth: Observations on a Rural Life.
Daryln Brewer Hoffstot has observed the fields and forests of her western Pennsylvania farm for thirty-eight years. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Pittsburgh Quarterly and the Philadelphia Inquirer, among other publications. Her New York Times essay, “On a Pennsylvania Farm, Nature Is Not Just Carrying On,” won a Notable Mention in The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2021 and her Pittsburgh Quarterly essay, “What Would Rachel Carson Say,” won a 2024 Science/Environment Award from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR OUR UPCOMING FIRESIDE CONVERSATION.
PA Master Naturalist Certification Training
Registrat
ion is open for the Fall 2026 PA Master Naturalist training cohort. A cohort is held every other Fall at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek.
Do you enjoy learning about the natural world? Are you interested in sharing that knowledge with others? Would you like to know more about supporting natural resource conservation? Pennsylvania Master Naturalists are a dedicated group of people who share a passion for nature, getting outdoors and giving back. If you enjoy hiking, wildlife watching, being outdoors, and volunteering, you’ll love being a Master Naturalist.
Become a Master Naturalist by attending our 50-hour training course at the Outdoor Discovery Center. Classes will be held weekly on Thursday evenings (6:00 - 8:30 PM) from August 13 to October 29 with four field sessions on Saturdays (August 22, September 12, October 3, and October 10)
Click here to access the Fall 2026 schedule.
Visit the PA Master Naturalist Facebook page by clicking here.
You can also visit https://pamasternaturalist.org/become_a_master_naturalist/ for additional information about becoming a Master Naturalist.
Learn more about PA Master Naturalist training course application at https://bit.ly/PMNtraining.
For more information and registration details, contact Rachel Filippini, ODC program coordinator at [email protected].
