Lilly Hargraves walks across the Monkey Bridge in one of the many activities at the 2012 Lake Arthur Regatta at Moraine State Park. This year's event is scheduled Aug. 3 and 4.

Events scheduled at Moraine and McConnells Mill state parks and Jennings Environmental Education Center this summer are as follows:

Moraine State ParkMoraine State Park is off Route 422 in Brady, Franklin, Muddy Creek and Worth townships. The park office can be reached at 724-368-8811.Fireflies!, 8 to 9:30 p.m. FridayParticipants can find out about the lives of fireflies and how people can help scientists by counting and observing fireflies in their backyards. The program will take place at the Lakeview Beach picnic area on the North Shore.Fish for Free, 7 to 9:30 a.m. July 4Anyone can fish in Lake Arthur without a fishing license.Historic Oil Well Operation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13 and Aug. 10This event allows guests to see a turn-of-the-century oil well and pump operate. Staff will operate the well and answer questions. The pump is on Park Road off Route 528.Geocaching 101, 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 14Participants will meet the park naturalist at the Pleasant Valley picnic area on the South Shore to learn about and take part in some geocaching. The park has several GPS units that will be available to participants.Blue Heron and Kingfisher Paddle, 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 13 and 5 to 7:30 p.m. July 28Join Moraine State Park staff to learn about these elegant birds by kayaking into their habitat. Participants can take their own kayak or borrow one of the park’s.Call 724-368-8811 to register. Participants should be at least 9 years old, and an adult needs to accompany anyone younger than 18.Full Moon Paddle, 8 to 10 p.m. July 22 and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 21Participants can take their own kayaks or borrow one at the park.Call 724-368-8811 to register. Participants should be at least 9 years old and, an adult needs to accompany anyone younger than 18.Silver Paddle, 9 to 11 a.m. July 23 and Aug. 27This entry-level program is designed to help those more interested in a peaceful experience and nature watching rather than a long hard paddle. Participants can take their own kayak or borrow one of the park’s.Call 724-368-8811 to register. Participants should be at least 9 years old, and an adult needs to accompany anyone younger than 18.Bats in Action, 8 to 9:30 p.m. July 26Meet the park naturalist at the Mount Zion Baptist Church on Route 528 to see a bat condo and explore these nighttime insectivores. Participants should take blankets, chairs and bug protection.Family Fishing Program, 1 to 4 p.m. July 27This interactive program will include some basics on being a S.M.A.R.T. angler, as well as how to rig a fishing rod, types of bait, knot tying, rules and regulations, and casting practice. Participants are not required to have a fishing license. Fishing equipment will be provided.Families must preregister and arrive by 1 p.m. Preregister by calling 724-368-8811.Lake Arthur Regatta, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 3 and 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Aug. 4Activities will include entertainment, water, air and land events, craft and food vendors, children’s activities, homemade sailboats, and canoe, kayak and sailboat races.There will be Saturday night fireworks. Music performances will occur both afternoons. Donations are accepted, but admission is free.Learn to Kayak, 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 24Park staff will teach basic kayaking skills. Kayaks and safety equipment will be provided.Call 724-368-8811 to register. Participants should specify if they are taking a kayak. Participants should be at least 9 years old, and an adult needs to accompany anyone younger than 18.

McConnells Mill State ParkThe park is in Lawrence County, just over the Butler County line off Route 422 near its intersection with Route 19.Hell’s Hollow Industrial History Hike, 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 7Hikers will join the park naturalist for a leisurely walk along a trail to learn about the iron smelting, charcoal making and lime processing that took place there.Meet at the Hell’s Hollow parking lot.A Taste of History: Dutch Oven Cooking, noon to 3:30 p.m. July 21 and Aug. 11People can see Dutch oven cooking and sample Native American and pioneer cooking.Participants should park at Kildoo Picnic Area and hike down to the old mill.Mill Cleanup Day, 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 17Participants will clean the historic gristmill and should come dressed in work clothes. Participants should take work gloves and wear sturdy shoes, and meet at the old mill. Lunch will be provided. Register by calling 724-368-8811.

Jennings Environmental Education CenterThe center on Route 528 in Brady Township, 12 miles north of Butler, has hiking trails open daily from sunrise to sunset.Celebrate the Bloom!, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 20Visitors can experience the center’s blazing star prairie, the only protected prairie in the state. Activities will include walks, workshops, demonstrations, and a bonfire, plus food, vendors and entertainment.Prairie Wildflower ID Workshop, 9 a.m. to noon July 27The workshop will cover identifying plant parts and types and arrangements of flowers and leaves, using field guides, and practicing identification skills in the field. Some time will also be spent learning about the natural history of various prairie flowers.This three-hour workshop is meant for adults and interested youths older than 16. This workshop is free, but registration is required by July 21. Registration can be completed online or by calling 724-794-6011.Prairie Bloom Hike, 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 28 and Aug. 4Join Jennings’ staff for a 90-minute guided walk discussing the plants, animals, history, and geology of the prairie. The prairie is hot and has little shade, so participants are advised to dress appropriately. The hike begins in the prairie parking lot.Little Mouse on the Prairie, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 3Join Jennings staff to discover the small mammals that live in the center’s prairie. There is no fee and registration is not required.