Just off North Atherton Street, two blocks from the Park Forest Village shopping district, a lively community keeps a beloved American tradition alive—one do-si-do at a time. Square dancing is more than choreography. It's a social experience built on teamwork, live music, and laughter, where strangers become friends by the end of a single tip. If you've ever been curious but wondered, "Do I need a partner? What do I wear? Is this only for experienced dancers?"—the answer is simpler than you think.
What to Expect Your First Night
Newcomer hesitation is normal, and we've built our beginner program specifically to remove it. Here's what first-timers at Park Forest Squares need to know:
- No partner required. Squares rotate constantly. You'll dance with everyone in the hall.
- Dress comfortably. Think casual clothes and soft-soled shoes that let you pivot easily. No special attire needed.
- All ages welcome. Our dancers range from college students to retirees, with most beginner sessions open to ages 10 and up.
- Live calling and music. Our weekly dances feature live fiddle and banjo accompaniment for authentic Appalachian-style evenings.
"I showed up alone, nervous I'd be the only beginner. Within ten minutes, three people had introduced themselves, and by the end of the night I was laughing more than I had in months." — Margaret Chen, Park Forest Village resident, dancing since 2022
Why Park Forest Squares Stands Out
Park Forest Squares isn't a generic dance studio adding square dance to a long list of offerings. We're a dedicated square dance club with deep roots in Centre County. Here's what sets us apart:
Expert, Credentialed Callers Our head caller, Jim Harbaugh, has been certified by CALLERLAB since 1998 and was a featured caller at the 2019 Pennsylvania State Square Dance Convention. His teaching style is patient, precise, and genuinely entertaining—beginners never feel left behind, and advanced dancers stay challenged.
A Floor Built for This Dance Our studio features sprung maple floors designed to protect joints during high-energy reels and promenades. After two hours of dancing, your knees will thank you.
Real Community, Not Just Classes We host monthly potluck socials, an annual summer picnic at Tussey Mountain, and a featured performance each year at the Centre County Grange Fair. Many of our dancers arrive as strangers and leave as neighbors.
Programs for Every Level
| Program | Who It's For | What You'll Learn |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Basics | Complete newcomers | Foundational calls, square formation, timing, and floor etiquette. First class is free. |
| Mainstream & Plus | Graduates of Basics | Expanded vocabulary, faster sequences, and introduction to club-level dancing. |
| Advanced Workshops | Experienced dancers | Complex choreography, challenge-level patterns, and preparation for regional festivals. |
Our next Beginner Basics session starts Tuesday, September 3rd, and runs for 12 weeks. Mainstream classes meet on Thursdays.
More Than Steps: The Lifestyle
Square dancing offers genuine physical and mental benefits—improved cardiovascular health, better balance, enhanced memory through pattern recognition, and strong social connection. But our members rarely talk about it in those terms. They talk about the music, the potlucks, the road trips to neighboring clubs, and the feeling of belonging to something unhurried and human in an increasingly fast world.
Visit Us—Your First Class Is Free
There's no better way to understand square dancing than to try it. Your first beginner class is free. No partner, no experience, and no special shoes required.
Park Forest Squares
- Location: 1234 North Atherton Street, Suite B, Park Forest Village, PA 16803
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +1 (234) 567-890
- Free parking available in the lot behind the building
We look forward to welcoming you to the floor.
