Two Cumberland County Residents Place in 2024 “Leap In” State Park and Forest Photo Contest

Camp Hill, PA – Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) welcomed over 300 photo submissions for the 2024 “Leap In” Photo Contest and sends a ‘congratulations’ to all participants and the top 20 winners.

“The annual photo contest not only demonstrates the beauty and history of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, it demonstrates peoples’ connections to these special places,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Foundation. “We applaud the photographers for capturing the images and we applaud the leaders who had the foresight to conserve these special places for today
and generations to come.”

Jessica Mitchell wins People’s Choice ‘Best in Show’ with her photo taken at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center.

Jessica Mitchell, a resident of Carlisle, won People’s Choice ‘Best in Show’ with her photo taken at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. “Seeing the look on my daughter’s face as she looked over the Cumberland Valley truly captured the feeling of “Awe,” states Jessica, recalling her visit where she captured the winning
photo.

“My daughter, Maggie (age 3), has “hiked” every trail at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. She and I participated in the monthly guided hikes in 2022 – I hiked, while she mostly napped in her hiking backpack. That said, the Park is one of our favorite places to visit, whether it’s to hike or participate in any of the many fantastic events that they host!

The People’s Choice First Place ‘Leap In’ to Volunteering photo was taken by Sam Rob of
Boiling Springs while visiting Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Sam Rob’s winning People’s Choice First Place photo in the ‘Leap In’ to Volunteering category
taken at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Sam took the photo while attending the Fall Furnace Fest. The reenactor and volunteer Chair of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace chapter, Andre Weltman, was giving a demonstration of how charcoal was made in colonial times for use in the iron furnace.

“What I like about Pine Grove Furnace State Park is it has so much to offer in terms of nature, recreation, and history,” Sam says. “The park is, of course, named for the historic iron furnace on the property. The famous Appalachian Trail passes through the park and the park itself is home to the Appalachian Trail Museum. The park has a campground, two lakes with swim beaches, kayak and canoe rentals, and fishing – bass and perch in the lake for warm water and wild brown trout and native brook trout in Mountain Creek and its tributaries within the park.

You can view the winners and all of the 2024 submissions on PPFF’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/PennsylvaniaParksAndForestsFoundation/photos_albums

The award winners’ photographs will also hang in the East Wing Rotunda in the state capitol in April. Watch the PPFF website for additional details as they become available.

The 2025 Photo Contest is now open to adults and youth! This years’ theme focuses on Pennsylvanian’s love of trails. Whether it’s a slow forest bathing meander or extensive miles climbing mountains, PPFF encourages you to experience the journey. Categories for this year include Beyond the Trail, Comradery on the Trail, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Tales from the Trail, Texture of the Trail, and Young Photographers (12-17). For information on categories, rules, and submitting your photos, visit our website at PAParksAndForests.org/our- work/recreation/photo-contest/.

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