Join us for the park's 3rd annual Women in the Wild program! 

First started in the PA Wilds, this state park program has gained popularity across the state and we are now in our 3rd year of hosting this event at Little Buffalo. Women in the Wild is designed to help ladies step out of their comfort zone and learn new outdoor skills in a fun "field day" format. 

You MUST register through PPFF with the link provided below. The cost is $40 per participant and includes lunch and up to 4 activities. 

https://paparksandforests.org/event/little-buffalo-women-in-the-wild/

Participants will choose 4 programs throughout the day. Program times are 9-10:15am, 10:30-11:45am, 1-2:15pm, and 2:30-3:45pm. A few programs, mainly kayaking, will take up two time slots. This event is a fundraiser for our Historic Train Car renovation project as well as our ADA Accessible Playground project. The cost of the event also covers the meal & materials that our instructors purchase for activities at the event. Ladies 12 years and older are welcome to attend!

Please note – this is currently a one day event at Little Buffalo. Our campground is set to be open for the beginning of May for those who may be traveling a distance. Overnights are not included in your registration. Activities will include a mix of environmental art, wellness, outdoor recreation, and wildlife education. A few classes will fill quickly, so please be sure to send your class selections to mewilt@pa.gov as soon as possible. Instructions and a selection sheet will be sent to you via email when you register. Check your SPAM folder! Those who register first will get first choice, so we need your choices asap!

Blacksmithing will only accept 3 participants for each session. You will make a small item to take home. It is currently full, but we are keeping a wait list!

Registration will be from 8am-8:30am at Pavilion 1 in our Swimming Pool Day Use Area. It is located on Swimming Pool Road. We will have signs along Little Buffalo Road to guide you. Please reach out for directions if you are unsure! Classes will start at 9am. You will need to drive to some classes at other areas of the park – if you are being dropped off for the day, or taking different classes than those you came with, please let us know and we will provide a ride if needed!

Classes are as follows:  **Updated to reflect classes Filled 4/22**

9:00am – 10:15am

Natural Dyes
Fly fishing
Backpacking
Forest Shower

Fossil Hunting

Nature Journaling

Wilderness Survival Skills
 

10:30am – 11:45am 
Nature Photography
Botanical Printing (near full)
Fossils
Natural Dyes
Fly fishing

1:00pm – 2:15pm
Kayak Fishing (intro session, can take 1 session or stay for 2:30 to practice fishing)
Fossils

2:30pm – 3:45pm 
Kayak Fishing (must take 1pm intro session as well)
Plein Air Stitching 
Forest Shower 
Fossils 

Beekeeping
 

Class Descriptions:

Nature Photography:

Local wildlife photographer Frank Aungst will take us on a walk along one of our popular wildlife-watchers' trails to try and get some unique shots of flora and fauna in the park. If you have a camera, please bring it! If not, we will have some that you can borrow. We will keep to a small group to maximize our chances of seeing wildlife. Please wear boots or waterproof footware, as this trail is very wet! All the better for fewer people and more wildlife photography opportunities!

Botanical Printing:

Want to make a beautiful work of art using natural objects such as leaves or flowers? Kari Roslund is a local fiber and surface design artist and will lead us through this natural dyeing technique that will create unique colors and patterns. Wear old clothing, as you could get messy!

Kayaking:

Interested in kayaking, but don't know where to start? Or have you been to a beginner class and would like a little more advanced instruction? Then this session is for you! We will cover the basics, but also get into some more advanced moves. Bring a change of clothes, just in case, and a towel to sit on in your kayak. We will supply the kayaks, paddles, and pfds. Please wear appropriate water shoes or sandals - avoid the flip flops! Water and sunscreen will also be necessary, as this is a longer class that takes 2 sessions and will be mostly out on the water. 

Natural Dyes:

Did you know that many of the common plants growing in our backyards or gardens can be used to make your own dyes for arts and crafts? Local fiber artist DonnaLynn O'Donnell will be teaching about how she creates her own colors in order to dye her fibers. Make sure to wear older clothes for programs involving dyes. 

Fly Fishing:

Spend the morning doing something peaceful and relaxing - fly fishing! Local Trout Unlimited instructor Larry Winey will be there to guide you, whether you are brand new to the sport or have done it before. You must have your fishing license, as we will be actively fishing. Fishing licenses can be purchased online ahead of the program (and printed and brought along) or purchased at local hunting and fishing supply stores. 

Backpacking & Long Distance Hiking:

In this session we will go over the basics of backpacking and preparing for an overnight hike, basic Leave No Trace, and we will be using hiking poles (so bring your best hiking shoes!). We'll also discuss hygiene tips, basic survival items to bring along, and how to join some local clubs that frequently hike together. After all, isn't hiking more fun when you go with friends? 

Forest Shower: 

Experience the next-to-kin of forest bathing—forest showering. A forest shower is perfect for when you are limited in the amount of time you have available to spend in nature, or your nearby nature options are limited. Whether you bathe or shower, you will benefit from the wellness benefits supported by spending time in the natural world. Sue Schiemer, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, PA Master Naturalist, and educator, will guide you through sensory experiences that support your personal health and wellbeing.

Fossils: 

Calling all rock hounds and natural history lovers - We are going to fossil hunt at Little Buffalo! DCNR Geoscientists Rose-Anna and Alex will lead us through 350 million years and discuss fossil hunting in the state. We'll be searching for fossils at our campground shale bank, and each participant can take a fossil home to share. These ladies will go over the many types of fossils that can be found in PA, and we will have samples of some incredible creatures, large and small, that have been found in our commonwealth. 

Archery: 

Archery dates back thousands of years. Today, it is a common hobby for those who want to hunt as well as those who simply target shoot. Spend some time with a certified NASP instructor and learn the basics of archery shooting, and learn how fun and relaxing target shooting can be! No equipment is needed, and bows are adjustable to a wide range of strengths. We have 2 left-handed bows, so please be sure to let us know if you have a preference so we can ensure everyone gets adequate time to shoot.  

Campfire Cooking:

Get your tastebuds ready, because we're going to cook out! We will be showing you some tips and tricks to make the perfect campfire meal, with plenty of chances for sampling! We'll start with a simple breakfast sandwich, then cook a venison meal and end with a dessert. If you have any food allergies, please let us know in plenty of time so that we can avoid these ingredients in our meal preparations. 

Foraging:

Even if you think you would never eat a “wild food”, you’ve probably eaten a cultivated form of a wild food in one of the meals you eat today.  Join in the presentation to hear the history, stories, and recipes of some of the common “wild edibles” that are growing in Little Buffalo State Park through this spring season.  Our humanity today is witness to the fence rows, forests and open fields that provided food and drink, to peoples throughout history. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing for hiking/foraging, and don’t forget the bug spray to avoid ticks. Please let us know if you have any allergies, even if they are not normally food related, just in case.

Blacksmithing:

Blacksmithing was once an incredibly valuable career, and it still has a very important place in our society. It is also an art that is slowly becoming less common. A very few lucky people can get to work directly with our local blacksmith Adia. She will instruct you through making your own simple piece of art using the same techniques that have been used for hundreds, if not thousands of years. 

Plein Air Stitching:

Join local fiber artist Janice Bailor for a creative dye and stitching session inspired by nature! The Plein Air Stitching class will give participants the opportunity to create their own cyanotype (sun) printed fabric from found objects at the park, then apply creative embroidery and hand stitching techniques to their sun print canvas for a truly one-of-a-kind fiber art masterpiece. Each participant will begin by working with a piece of muslin fabric, applying their dye and creating the background print of leaves or other objects of their choosing from the grounds. Participants will then stretch their canvas and apply as much or as little hand stitching and embroidery to their dyed background as desire and time permits. Artist Janice Bailor will be there to inspire and assist you through the creative process with demonstrations of the dying, hand sewing and embroidery techniques to help you best achieve your masterpiece. Join us for an amazingly creative Plein Air Stitching Experience and make your own nature-inspired fiber art treasure to proudly display! Make sure to wear older clothes for programs involving dyes. 

Hypertufa Gardening:

Hypertufa are lightweight pots made from Portland cement, water, and perlite, vermiculite or sand. They can be beautiful works of art for both indoors and outdoors, and can potentially last decades. Master gardener and educator Gail Koll will lead us to make & decorate one of our own!

Kayak Fishing:
Ladies, have you ever wondered what it would be like to fish from a kayak?  Now is your opportunity to learn about kayak fishing alongside other women!  Join PFBC staff for this program designed to introduce women to the basics of kayak fishing! We will cover safety on the water, types of kayaks and equipment, how to fish from a kayak, and where to find fish. Bring a change of clothes, just in case, and a towel to sit on in your kayak. We will supply the kayaks, paddles, pfds, fishing rod, lure, and/or bait, throw bag, and fishing license waiver for the hours of the program (e.g. NO fishing license needed). Please bring appropriate (closed toe) water shoes/ old sneakers, polarized sunglasses, rain gear (just in case), water and sunscreen.  Optional but recommended gear includes: note pad and pen (for taking notes) and waterproof camera/ waterproof phone case (to document experience). This is a longer class that takes 2 sessions and we will be mostly out on the lake. 

Beekeeping: 

Honey bees are all the rage these days, but becoming a new beekeeper can seem like a daunting task. Not to worry, as our local bee keepers club can help teach you how to get started! A volunteer with the Perry County Beekeepers will be here to teach you the ins and outs of backyard beekeeping so you can be on your way to home-made honey in no time!

Nature Journaling

Journaling is a great way to slow down, appreciate, and learn about the natural world. Not an artist? No problem!  Environmental Education Specialist Kim Schubert will guide participants through journaling prompts and activities accessible to almost anyone - regardless of artistic style or ability.  She will also share tips and tricks for incorporating journaling into your daily life. From Kim: "My face was within inches of a mossy log, watching ants work together to carry a worm to their lair. That's what journaling does and I love it." 

Wilderness Survival Skills

What do I keep with me in case of an emergency? How do I find food, water, or shelter if I'm stranded? In this course, we'll get you thinking about how to always be prepared, and how to use some everyday items that you may already have on you in a survival situation.