Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek

Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek A facility providing experiences to discover nature through education, recreation, and outreach.

The ODC is operated by the Armstrong Center for Community Learning, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The ODC is situated on 30 acres
and includes a meeting room that holds 40 people, a lodge-style great room with fireplace, a full kitchen, and overnight accommodations for 24 people. Displayed in the building is an extensive collection of mounted animals including raptors and other birds, large

and small mammals, snakes and fish. The ODC also features nature
trails including an interpretive trail, poetry trail, handicap accessible trail, pollinator garden, outdoor volleyball court, fire pit and picnic areas. Located adjacent to the ODC is the 2,600 acre Crooked Creek Lake Park. The park includes a 400-acre lake for boating, fishing and swimming,
sand beach, seven miles of nature trails, equine trail, disc golf course, playgrounds, etc. Partnerships

The ODC actively engages in cooperative educational programs with many area organizations and individuals including educational agencies and institutions, conservation agencies, grassroots environmental organizations, local businesses, and private citizens. Facility Rental

Organized groups can rent the ODC for programs, workshops, meetings and retreats. For more information about facility rental and availability, call 724-543-2599 ext. 222 or email [email protected]. Information is also available at www.armstrongcenter.org

Customized nature, outdoor and environmental
programming is available for an additional fee. Rental rates are as follows:
• $75/half-day
• $150/day
• $200/1 night (1—12 people)
• $400/2 nights (1—12 people)
• $300/1 night (13—25 people)
• $600/2 nights (13—25 people)

Educational Capabilities

The ODC offers a variety of educational programming for people at every age. The following programs are offered for youth:
• Knee High to Nature Program—a free program for elementary ages. Each 2 hour session includes a variety of fun, hands-on nature activities, games and crafts.
• Field Trips—available throughout the year for K-12 schools and boy/girl scout troops.
• Summer Camps—nature-themed day camps with engaging activities.
• Armstrong County Envirothon—the ODC hosts county-wide Envirothon competitions. The ODC also offers a variety of nature and recreational activities and workshops for the general public, including mushroom identification hikes, nature journaling, forest bathing, intro to snowshoeing and cross country skiing, etc. The ACCL/ODC is the coordinator for the PA Master Naturalist program for adults.

06/12/2026

Summer is here and in Pittsburgh, we don't just beat the heat...we defeat the heat.*

*"Defeat" is a strong word. But we encourage practices to stay safe in the heat!

Wherever you adventure, here are some essential tips to ensure you stay cool and safe outdoors:

🌊 Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
- Drink water regularly: ensure you stay hydrated by drinking water consistently, even if you don't feel thirsty.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine: these can dehydrate you more quickly.
- Pre-hydrate: drink plenty of water before engaging in outdoor activities to stay ahead of the heat.

🌞 Beat (Defeat) the Heat
- Use sunscreen: apply SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
- Seek shade: try to stay in shaded areas between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to avoid the peak sun intensity.
- Dress appropriately: wear light, loose-fitting clothes, hats, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.

🚨 Recognize Heat Illnesses
- Heat exhaustion: look out for heavy sweating, weakness, and nausea. If you experience these symptoms, find a cool place and hydrate immediately.
- Heat stroke: this is a severe condition characterized by a high body temperature and a rapid pulse. It requires emergency medical attention – call 911!

🌊 Water Safety
- Swim smart: only swim in designated areas and never swim alone.
- Boat safely: always wear life jackets and ensure you have safety gear on board.

📲 Stay Informed
- Check the weather: stay updated on heat waves and storms.
- Follow local guidelines: adhere to local safety guidelines for swimming and boating conditions.

Stay cool, stay safe, and enjoy your summer at all the fantastic recreation sites within the Pittsburgh District!

Find a location near you: https://www.recreation.gov

Tonight's Yoga Class is CANCELED.
06/10/2026

Tonight's Yoga Class is CANCELED.

Last chance for Yoga on the ODC Lawn with LolaJ Yoga is Wednesday, June 10th at 6pm. $10/person. Register at www.armstrongodc.org

Join us this Saturday, June 13th!!
06/09/2026

Join us this Saturday, June 13th!!

We are teaming up with the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Armstrong County to celebrate pollinators on Saturday, June 13th from 9am-12pm. Join us for this fun and free event where you'll be able to:

🐝Tour the Master Gardener Pollinator Garden

🐝 Meet beekeepers and learn about honeybees & wild bees

🐝 Learn about native and pollinator plants

🐝 Learn about bees, butterflies, moths & hummingbirds

🐝 View the milkweed and winter sowing display

🐝 Participate in arts, crafts, and other children's activities

🐝 Participate in Story Time & Nature Walk

🐝Learn how to start your own pollinator garden

Registration requested at www.armstrongodc.org

Last chance for Yoga on the ODC Lawn with LolaJ Yoga is Wednesday, June 10th at 6pm. $10/person. Register at www.armstr...
06/09/2026

Last chance for Yoga on the ODC Lawn with LolaJ Yoga is Wednesday, June 10th at 6pm. $10/person. Register at www.armstrongodc.org

06/03/2026

Join ACD and DCNR for an Invasive Species Walk on June 23! 🌿

DCNR Service Forester, Levi Thompson, will lead a walk to identify invasive species and demonstrate methods to manage them.

Nature Book Club next Tuesday, June 9th at 7pm. Participants will discuss Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Na...
06/02/2026

Nature Book Club next Tuesday, June 9th at 7pm. Participants will discuss Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. All are welcome!

Learn more & register at www.armstrongodc.org

In Rooted, cutting-edge science supports a truth that poets, artists, mystics, and earth-based cultures across the world have proclaimed over millennia: life on this planet is radically interconnected.

06/02/2026

Looking like we will have another dry evening for outdoor yoga on Thursday! Come and feel the gratitude for Mother Nature smiling 🌞

06/02/2026

Did you know several Pennsylvania Master Naturalist in Armstrong County are monitoring bluebird boxes? According to the National Bluebird Society, a box that is not monitored may do more harm to bluebirds than good. Monitoring increases the chances of success for bluebirds using the box. When good records are kept, it is also valuable for determining population trends.

Thank you to our monitors who are helping these beloved songbirds!

The last program in our Forestry Health Series with Levi Thompson, service forester for Pennsylvania Department of Conse...
06/02/2026

The last program in our Forestry Health Series with Levi Thompson, service forester for Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is coming up on Monday, June 29th at 5:30pm.

This time, Levi will talk about many of the pitfalls that surround timber harvesting and teach landowners how to properly assess their forest, and how to make sound management decisions that will benefit them and their property for generations.

Join us for this insightful and free program. Registration requested at www.armstrongodc.org

Address

142 Kerr Road
Ford City, PA
16226

Telephone

+17247636316

Website

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