An Outdoor Discovery series takes place Thursdays this summer at Alameda Park, off New Castle Road, Butler Township. Playthings Etc. will be featured at 7 p.m. June 16 in the Masonic Shelter. Admission is free. Call 724-284-5383.

Moraine State Park, Muddy Creek Township, will be the site of National Get Outdoors Day with activities from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Lakeview Beach on the North Shore. Events will include kayaking, biking, fishing and children's activities. Admission is free. The historic oil well will be in operation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The central powerhouse site is beyond the Forestry & Regional office building on Park Road (Old Route 422) off Route 528. The abandoned turn-of-the-last-century oil well and pumping engine that have been restored to working order will be in operation. Park staff and volunteers will be there to answer questions. Call 724-368-8811.

Venture Outdoors North will host an herb and garden walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in Harmony and a beginner paddle from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, a long distance hike from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and a gourmet burger paddle from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, all at Moraine State Park. Some programs carry a fee. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org.

<B>McConnells Mill State Park</B>, Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, will be the site of “A Taste of History-Dutch Oven Cooking” demonstration from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the gristmill. Call 724-368-3612.<B>Star parties</B>, sponsored by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh, will start at 8:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday, weather permitting, at the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township. Admission is free. Donations are accepted. Call 724-224-2510 or visit www.3ap.org.<B></B>