January 2016 Programs & Events at Sinnemahoning State Park

The Sinnemahoning State Park Staff welcomes you to celebrate the New Year with a variety of interpretive and outdoor recreation programs.

New Year's Day, Friday, January 1

 First Day Hike

10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

 Meet at Park Office &Wildlife Ctr.

Resolve to start the new year on the right foot with an easy 2.5 mile hike on fairly level trails near the Park Office & Wildlife Center. See a real bear den and a bald eagle nest as you learn about the park's trail system and additional hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the coming year. Please dress for the weather. Waterproof footwear is recommended. This free family program will meet at the Park Office and Wildlife Center.

Please note: The Park Office and Wildlife Center will be closed on New Year's Day.

Saturday, January 2

Backyard Birdfeeders

 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Park Office & Wildlife Center

Do you want to invite winter birds into your backyard, but don't know where to start? Join park staff for an introduction to the fascinating hobby of installing and watching backyard birdfeeders. Learn about the different types of feeders and seed available and what birds will be attracted to the various varieties. Knowing what individual species like will take the guesswork out of what you want to offer in your bird feeders. No pre-registration is required for this free family-friendly program.

Wednesday, January 6

 Fly Tying Workshop Program Series

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

 Park Office & Wildlife Center

Break out of cabin fever this winter with a six-week beginner fly tying course. Receive step by step instruction on fly tying techniques with complexity progressing from introductory to more advanced throughout the course. Program fee of $40 per participant covers all materials, equipment and instruction for the six classes. Participants keep the flies they make. Course Dates are January 6 & 20, February 3 &17, March 2 & 16 classes will meet from 6:00-8:00 PM. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED as seating is limited. Deadline to register is January 2, 2016. Cost is $40 per participant. This six-week fly tying class is presented in cooperation with Jim's Sports Center, of Clearfield, PA, and Keystone Predator, of Emporium, PA

Thursday, January 7

 Homeschool Day: Project Feeder

Watch 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Park Office &Wildlife Center

This is a day for the birds! Learn to identify the most common winter visitors and how to attract them to your yard. Discover how citizen scientist can contribute real data to the study of birds in our area. Participants will have the opportunity to make and take their own bird feeders.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED one week prior for this FREE field learning opportunity for students in grades K-12.

Friday, January 8, and Saturday, January 9

Coffee with the Birds

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Park Office &Wildlife Center

 Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, INDOORS, as we watch the birds visiting the feeders just outside the classroom window. December through March, join in on the Project Feeder Watch counts and learn a little about each of these winter visitors, their food preferences, and how winter bird feeder counts help scientists learn more about the health of our environment. Project Feeder Watch is a citizen science program sponsored through Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Volunteers observe, identify birds, and record data at bird feeders throughout winter months. You may visit on any of the count dates, arrive and depart at any time. No pre-registration is required for this free program.

Tuesday, January 12

4H Wildlife Club: Animal Habitats

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Memorial Hall, Emporium, PA

 Habitat is where it's at! Join Sinnemahoning State Park staff and the Cameron County 4H Wildlife Club for interactive fun while learning about different animal habitats in Pennsylvania. Do you live in Cameron County and love wildlife? Join the Wildlife Club! 4-H is open to all youth ages 8 to 18 years old. Find out more at the next Wildlife Club meeting which will be held on Tuesday, January 12th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Memorial Hall in Emporium.

Saturday, January 16

 Winter Bird Walk

 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Park Office &Wildlife Center

Wander the park with members of the Allegheny Highlands Bird Club on the lookout for winter birds in woodland, meadow and wetlands of the First Fork Valley. Participants should dress for the weather, wear waterproof boots, and be prepared to spend the morning outdoors. Bring your own binoculars or borrow one of ours. Everyone is welcome, no prior knowledge needed - just an interest in wildlife! This free program will meet at the Park Office and Wildlife Center.

Tuesday, January 19

Snowflake Science 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Fox Twp. Sr. Center, Kersey, PA

 Peer through a microscope at a snowflake, and you'll see an elaborate ice creation. Join Sinnemahoning State Park environmental educator at the Fox Township Senior Center in Kersey, PA, as we view many of the unique crystals and discover the science behind snowflakes. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. If you wish to attend, please contact the Fox Township Senior Center director, Barb Rachel, at 814-885-8111. Visitors are welcome to stay for lunch. Cost for lunch is $6.00 per person and reservations must be made by 1:00 PM the day before by calling 814-885-8111.

Thursday, January 21

 Park Office & Wildlife Center

 Sinnemahoning State Park: Stories of Our Past

 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Who were the first settlers of the First Fork Sinnemahoning valley? Where did they come from and what were they looking for as they explored the vast wilderness of what is now Cameron and Potter counties? What were the early industries of the valley and how did these businesses influence the future uses of the land? Find the answers to these questions and more as we discover the history of the First Fork in this back-by-popular-demand installment of the "Stories of Our Past" program series. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUESTED for this free program. Participants are welcome to bring along old photos and share stories of life on the First Fork. Refreshments will be served.

Friday, January 22, and Saturday, January 23

Coffee with the Birds

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

 Park Office &Wildlife Center

Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, INDOORS, as we watch the birds visiting the feeders just outside the classroom window. December through March, join in on the Project Feeder Watch counts and learn a little about each of these winter visitors, their food preferences, and how winter bird feeder counts help scientists learn more about the health of our environment. Project Feeder Watch is a citizen science program sponsored through Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Volunteers observe, identify birds, and record data at bird feeders throughout winter months. You may visit on any of the count dates, arrive and depart at any time. No pre-registration is required for this free program. You may visit on any of the count dates, arrive and depart at any time. No pre-registration is required for this free program.

Saturday, January 30

 Cross Country Skiing Basics

10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Join Sinnemahoning State Park staff for a fun lesson on the popular sport of cross-country skiing. First-timers as well as experienced skiers are welcome! All equipment, including skis, poles, and boots, plus instruction will be provided. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by January 26. A limited number of adult-sized skis and equipment are available. Please call the Park Office and Wildlife Center at 814-647-8401 to for more information or to register for this free program. Program is weather dependent. Just in case the weather does not cooperate and we do not have enough snow to ski, park staff will give an introductory lesson on cross country ski techniques and equipment.

Sinnemahoning State Park News: Winter "Get Outdoors" Loaner Program Returns. Snowshoes and Cross Country Skis Available. Explore Sinnemahoning State Park in the winter and learn a new skill. It's easy, and it's fun! When enough snow covers the trails, a limited number of cross-country skis and snowshoes will be available for use within the park, with staff on hand to loan equipment and assist borrowers. Snowshoes and skis will be available between 8:00 AM and 2 PM., Tuesday through Saturday when sufficient snow covers the trails. Sizes are limited, but most adult sizes are available. Equipment is NOT available Sundays and Mondays. There is no fee for this loaner program, but donations are requested. A driver's license and valid credit card must be provided in order to borrow equipment. Orientation and brief instruction will be provided upon request at the time of loan. For more information or to confirm snow conditions call the Park Office and Wildlife Center at 814-647-8401.

Park Advisory Posted. Work to be done on George B Stevenson Reservoir in 2016. The upper reaches of the George B. Stevenson Reservoir at Sinnemahoning State Park will be dredged and the Brooks Run stream will be realigned in 2016. AT THIS TIME, DATES HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED ON WHEN THIS WILL OCCUR. We will post updates on our advisory page and list the areas that will be impacted as more information becomes available. For updates, visit Http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/sinnemahoning/index.htm and click the "Advisories" tab.

PA State Parks are OPEN every day of the year. Contrary to the information on Google, all Pennsylvania state parks are open every day of the year. Day use areas close at dusk. Park offices are open specific hours. Pools, beaches, and campgrounds are open specific seasons.

For more information about programs and events at Sinnemahoning State Park, contact the Park Office at 814-647-8401 or by email at SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov.

Online, visit Sinnemahoning-State-Park on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sinnemahoning-State-Park/389160871130164

or view the PA State Park calendar of events at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/sinnemahoning_state_park

If you need an accommodation to participate in PA State Park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least three days' notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

Sinnemahoning State Park 4843 Park Road | Austin, PA 16720 Phone: 814-647-8401 | Email: SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov www.VisitPAparks.com | www.iConservePA.org