Students who want to travel a few miles outside State College can go to the Stone Valley Recreation Area, which is owned and operated by Penn State, said Angela Kline, program coordinator. Boating education classes are offered and other Penn State classes often are taught at the recreational area, Kline said. The Penn State crew team, sailing team and Navy ROTC use the lake at Stone Valley. Moonlit weekends are a wonderful time for people to canoe and boat on the lake with its extended hours until 11 p.m., Kline said. Students and groups can get discounts with their school IDs on rental equipment.
Students can take part in a variety of activities at many of the surrounding state parks.
Whipple Dam State Park is great for fishing, swimming in the lake, playing sand volleyball and hiking, said Dian Lewis, administrative assistant. Camping, fishing, swimming, volleyball, horseshoe pits and softball is available at Greenwood Furnace State Park, Lewis said. The dam attracts lots of swimmers, and Greenwood attracts hikers because of the easy access to the Mid-State Trail, Lewis said. While there, people can attend programs about the history of the area, including the old iron furnace. Penn Roosevelt State Park, in the Seven Mountains area, is another park with attractions like tent camping, fishing and hiking, Lewis said.