Cook Forest Area Events

Please meet at the Park Office Conference Room to learn how to make in-line spinners for fishing. Program conducted by Bill McClintock, camp host and in-line spinner enthusiast. Participants will make their own spinners. All materials provided. Class is free but registration required. To register, please contact the Park Office at [email protected] or (814)744-8407. 15 person limit. Children must be with participating adult.

Saturday, May 4 at 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Please join Friends of Cook Forest as we walk various trails in the park to clean old leaves and pine needles from our trail bridges to extend their lives. We’ll concentrate on the Tom’s Run Valley but could hit other trails if we have sufficient attendees. Please meet at the Log Cabin Environmental Learning Classroom where we’ll assign trails and distribute supplies. We have gloves, but stiff brooms or light shovels would be greatly appreciated.

Saturday, May 4 at 10:00am to 12:00pm

Beginner’s Mushroom Hike
Come explore the fungus among us! Join experienced foragers for a 1-2 mile long beginner’s mushroom hike through the forest to learn about local mushroom species, mushroom photography, how to grow your own mushrooms, and more! Bring a collection container (basket, empty egg carton, etc.).

Registration and payment of $15/person is due by May 3rd via cash or check written out to Clarion Conservation District and mailed to 249 S. 2nd Ave. Clarion, PA 16214. The first 20 people to register will receive a free mushroom grow kit (1 per person). Scholarships available if financial support is needed. Specialty mushrooms and additional grow kits will be available for purchase at the end of the hike. For scholarship inquiries, questions, or to register, contact [email protected], call 814-393-6147, or register online at https://forms.gle/8pN2PhVJCGhtjrCS6.

Saturday, May 11 at 9:00am to 12:00pm

See below for exact locations of each event:

Please join us (PA DCNR) for a fun filled weekend of living history as we journey through various historical eras of the United States: French & Indian War, Colonial Period, Civil War, Spanish American War, and Pennsylvania’s lumber heritage. Join living historian and master story-teller Paul Stillman, historical interpreter Dave Clark, and historian-songwriter Van Wagner, as they take us through these noteworthy periods of American history through first person character portrayals, hands-on demonstrations, and song.

Friday, May 24 from 800-1000pm

‘Seneca Point by Candlelight’ Take a walk back in time with historical characters from the past. Please meet at the Fire Tower parking lot where a 1750’s French Marine will guide us through the ancient rocks of Seneca Point in search of old Seneca & Abenaki warriors on their trek south along the Catawba Trail.

Saturday, May 25 from 900-1100am

Paul Stillman as a ‘Seneca Indian’ A Native American visits us from the past on his trip from New York as he travels south along the historic Olean Trail. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom where he will be preparing for his trip.

Saturday, May 25 from 100-230pm

Paul Stillman and Dave Clark as ‘The North Meets South’ Come see the Civil War through a New York regimental line soldier and a rebel of the Army of Northern Virginia. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Saturday, May 25 from 800-900pm

‘An Evening with Ben Franklin’ by Paul Stillman One of the founding fathers of our country. Science, glass music, and philosophy are only part of Doctor Franklin’s life. Join the elderly stateman as he reminisces about his involvement in the French & Indian forts of the 1750’s. Please bring your chairs & blankets and meet at the Ridge Camp Park Amphitheater.

Sunday, May 26 from 100-200pm

Dave Clark as a ‘Private of the 71st New York Regiment During the Spanish American War’ Private Charles Johnson Post recounts the charge up San Juan Hill. Post, an illustrator for William Randolph Hearst’s newspaper, endured the hardships of a soldier in the “Splendid Little War in Cuba”. Please bring your camp chairs at meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 230-330pm

Paul Stillman as a ‘Colonial Craftsman’ Learn how things were made during the early part of the 18th century during a quill and bamboo pen fabrication workshop. Please bring your camp chairs at meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 430-600pm

‘Tall Timber: Van Wagner’s Timber Heritage Program’ Celebrate the past and present of Pennsylvania’s timber heritage with historian, songwriter, and forester, Van Wagner, as he demonstrates dozens of tools spanning 200 years of logging history. He will also focus on the old rafting days when millions of board feet of Pennsylvania Timber were assembled into various styles of rafts and piloted down our streams and rivers. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 800-900pm

‘Evening Concert by songwriter Van Wagner’ Featuring acoustic songs about the cultural and natural heritage of Pennsylvania at the Ridge Camp Park Amphitheater. Van’s music has been featured on the History Channel, Country Music Television, and several film productions. Be prepared to not only be entertained, but also inspired to learn more about Pennsylvania’s history. Don’t forget your chairs and blankets!

See below for exact locations of each event:

Please join us (PA DCNR) for a fun filled weekend of living history as we journey through various historical eras of the United States: French & Indian War, Colonial Period, Civil War, Spanish American War, and Pennsylvania’s lumber heritage. Join living historian and master story-teller Paul Stillman, historical interpreter Dave Clark, and historian-songwriter Van Wagner, as they take us through these noteworthy periods of American history through first person character portrayals, hands-on demonstrations, and song.

Friday, May 24 from 800-1000pm

‘Seneca Point by Candlelight’ Take a walk back in time with historical characters from the past. Please meet at the Fire Tower parking lot where a 1750’s French Marine will guide us through the ancient rocks of Seneca Point in search of old Seneca & Abenaki warriors on their trek south along the Catawba Trail.

Saturday, May 25 from 900-1100am

Paul Stillman as a ‘Seneca Indian’ A Native American visits us from the past on his trip from New York as he travels south along the historic Olean Trail. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom where he will be preparing for his trip.

Saturday, May 25 from 100-230pm

Paul Stillman and Dave Clark as ‘The North Meets South’ Come see the Civil War through a New York regimental line soldier and a rebel of the Army of Northern Virginia. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Saturday, May 25 from 800-900pm

‘An Evening with Ben Franklin’ by Paul Stillman One of the founding fathers of our country. Science, glass music, and philosophy are only part of Doctor Franklin’s life. Join the elderly stateman as he reminisces about his involvement in the French & Indian forts of the 1750’s. Please bring your chairs & blankets and meet at the Ridge Camp Park Amphitheater.

Sunday, May 26 from 100-200pm

Dave Clark as a ‘Private of the 71st New York Regiment During the Spanish American War’ Private Charles Johnson Post recounts the charge up San Juan Hill. Post, an illustrator for William Randolph Hearst’s newspaper, endured the hardships of a soldier in the “Splendid Little War in Cuba”. Please bring your camp chairs at meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 230-330pm

Paul Stillman as a ‘Colonial Craftsman’ Learn how things were made during the early part of the 18th century during a quill and bamboo pen fabrication workshop. Please bring your camp chairs at meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 430-600pm

‘Tall Timber: Van Wagner’s Timber Heritage Program’ Celebrate the past and present of Pennsylvania’s timber heritage with historian, songwriter, and forester, Van Wagner, as he demonstrates dozens of tools spanning 200 years of logging history. He will also focus on the old rafting days when millions of board feet of Pennsylvania Timber were assembled into various styles of rafts and piloted down our streams and rivers. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 800-900pm

‘Evening Concert by songwriter Van Wagner’ Featuring acoustic songs about the cultural and natural heritage of Pennsylvania at the Ridge Camp Park Amphitheater. Van’s music has been featured on the History Channel, Country Music Television, and several film productions. Be prepared to not only be entertained, but also inspired to learn more about Pennsylvania’s history. Don’t forget your chairs and blankets!