Camps offer unparalleled opportunities for all kinds of learning, exploration and summer fun. Whatever your child's interests may include, there is probably a camp nearby that has what it takes to delve into that activity.
The following is a sampling of camps and programs that parents and kids may find valuable. Parents are urged to thoroughly investigate any organization, their policies, staff, history, business practices, refund and cancellation policies before enrolling a child.
Arts
McMurray
Summer Art Camp at The Art Shoppe offers kids the chance to explore drawing, painting, sculpture, clay, cartooning and creating "wearable art." Camps are available for children from ages 7 to 11 and 12 to 18. Preschool and adult classes available also.
724-941-1688
www.theartshoppegallery.com
of Pittsburgh
Castle Shannon
Several camp offerings this year, including a summer intensive from June 30 through July 26 for ages 9 and up; a mini workshop from June 16-27 for ages 6 and up; Princess Camp, from June 23-June 26 for ages 4-6; and a High School Musical Camp from Aug. 18 through Aug. 21 for children ages 4 through 6.
412-343-9333
www.balletacademypgh.com
Oakland
Art and architecture camps offering children, between the ages of 4 and 18, opportunities for creative self-expression in architecture, drawing, painting, sculpture, acting and more. Programs run June 16 through Aug. 15.
412-622-3288
www.carnegiemuseums.org
Theatre School
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School is the official school of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. The organization's Intensive Summer program begins on June 23 and runs through July 26. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum in a professional environment with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre faculty and well-known guest instructors.
412-281-6727
www.pbt.org
Downtown
Two- and three-week day camps are being offered for students in first grade through 12th grade. While at camp, students will have the chance to work with professionals in the performing arts fields. A Creative Discovery Camp is also being offered for students between the ages of 9 and 13, who are autistic.
412-281-2234
CLOAcademy@pittsburghCLO.org
www.PittsburghCLO.org
Camp at Little Lake Theatre
Canonsburg
Adult professionals will be kids explore and develop their interests in the performing arts during two-week camps that culminate in a showcase presentation. Camps for children between the ages of 11 and 15 run June 16 through June 28 and Aug. 4 to 16.
724-745-6300
www.littlelake.org
Education & science
The university will be offering a summer reading program from June 25 through July 30, between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon Mondays through Fridays. Cal U's summer program offers reading support for kids in Kindergarten through the twelfth grade, with individual diagnostic testing and remedial tutoring as part of the graduate Reading Specialist Practicum. At the conclusion of the program parents will receive a case report and summary of the progress of the child who attends.
724-938-4028 or contact Dr. Christine Peterson at peterson@cup.edu.
of Natural History
Oakland
At Camp Earth, kids between the ages of 4 and 12 can get to know all abut dinosaurs, animals, ecology, ancient civilizations and biodiversity at half- and full-day camps. Camps run between June 9 and Aug. 15.
412-622-3288
www.carnegiemuseums.org
Science Camps
North Shore
Half- and full-day camps are offered to children between the ages of 4 and 14, who want to know more about a variety of scientific fields and will have access to the Buhl Digital Dome planetarium, a submarine and lots more. Some camps may be available at Upper St. Clair High School. Camps run between June 9 and Aug. 22.
412-237-1637
www.carnegiesciencecenter.org
for Talented Elementary
and Secondary Students
Bishop Canevin High School / Green Tree
Neil Armstrong middle School / Bethel Park
Pittsburgh
One- and two-week classes offered for academically gifted students attending third through eighth grades. C_MITES students must have earned scores at the 95th percentile or higher on one or more sections of a nationally-standardized grade level test or are enrolled in their school's gifted program. Many class options exist, including Roaming Ancient Rome, Persuasive Speaking and Writing, Amusement Park Physics and many more. Summer program activities begin June 16 and are held at 20 sites across Pennsylvania.
412-268-1629
www.cmu.edu/cmites
of Allegheny County /
Kids Summer of Discovery
CCAC South Campus, CCAC North Campus, CCAC Allegheny Campus and CCAC Boyce Campus
This summer, Community College of Allegheny County is offering approximately 20 different classes for children between the ages of 8 and 15, including Art Adventures, Baby-sitting Camp, Chef Boy & Girl, Creating Memories - Scrap Booking, Creepy Crawly Camp, CSI - Natures Mysteries, Design Your Own Web Page, Digital Photography, Extreme Builders, Get a Clue, Who Did It? and more. Dates, age restrictions and class availability vary with each campus. Registration begins April 30.
412-369-3703
http://www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=145615
Creek Camp
Meadville
At this week-long residence camp at Allegheny College, campers will work and have fun with college students majoring in environmental science and biology, visit many outdoor locales and learn plenty about Mother Nature. Creek Camp is open to high school sophomores and freshmen. Session I runs between July 13 to 18. Session II runs July 20 yo 25.
814-332-5351
creekconnections.allegheny.edu/creekcamp.html
Pittsburgh
Calling all crime solvers! The students and faculty of the Bayer School Forensic Science and Law program in participation with the Wecht Institute of Forensic Science will be teaching a three-day program for high school juniors and seniors who have a GPA of 2.5 or better and a strong interest in science. Workshop sand lecture topics will include evidence collection, fingerprinting technique, toxicology, hair and fiber analysis and much more.
412-396-1514
www.science.duq.edu/forensics/forwork.html
Center
Point Breeze
Campers between the ages of 4 and 10 can step back in time to learn about the past 250 years of Pittsburgh. Children between the ages of 4 and 6 can enjoy half-day mini camp which runs between June 23 and June 27. Kids in second through fifth grade can enjoy full-day camp from Aug. 11 to 15.
412-205-2022
www.TheFrickPittsburgh.org
Partnership Click! Camp
at Carnegie Science Center
North Shore
Science adventure program designed for girls in middle school, who are between the ages of 10 and 14. Click! Campers use cool technology to solve mysteries during camps that run between June 23 to Aug. 9.
412-237-1637
www.braincake.org
Dino-Soars! Summer Camp
North Side
This camp is really several opportunities in one. All campers will meet our feathered friends at the National Aviary, but they will also get to know about sharks and crocs at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and explore the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's new Dinosaurs in Their Time exhibit. They will have the chance to take part in a fossil dig and visit Laurel Caverns at the end of their week. For kids between the ages of 6 and 8, the camp runs from July 7 to 11. Kids between the ages of 9 and 11 will take part in the camp between July 14 to 18. Kids between the ages of 12 and 14 will have camp between July 21 to July 25.
412-323-7235 x209
education.programs@aviary.org
www.aviary.org
and Botanical Gardens
Oakland
Half- and full-day camp opportunities for children between the ages of 4 and 12. Campers will enjoy planting, stories, crafts, music, and games as they explore Phipps famous exhibits and gardens.
412-622-6915
www.phipps.conservatory.org
Pittsburgh
Point Park University's Summer in the City program offers instructional classes for parents, teachers and children this year. The adult education offerings include courses that hone skills used in the office, classroom or personal life, including Discover Your Radio Voice, The Rockette Experience and Rolling in the Aisles, a course that teaches students to utilize humor strategically. Some award continuing education credits. Most run for one week, with scholarship and residential options available. Middle and high school students can take advantage of camps covering subjects not usually offered as part of the high school curriculum and are designed to give students a preview of college life. Course offerings for middle and high school students include Camp Hollywood, Math and Woodworking and Engineering, Biotechnology Camp and more. Dates vary for all classes.
412-338-2489
www.pointpark.edu
Summer Camps
North Shore
Fish & Fry Days Camp is available to children who are 5 or 6 years of age on June 19 and 20, as well as June 30 and July 1. The Anglers Adventure Camp is open to kids between the ages of 7 and 13, June 23 to 27. Bugs & Boats Camp with the Three Rivers Rowing Association is open to kids between the ages of 8 and 13, July 14 to 18. River Camp with the Carnegie Science center is open to kids between the ages of 10 and 12 will be held July 21 to 25.
412-231-2712
www.riverquest.org/camp.htm
of Water Camp
Green Tree
Two-day camp running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Green Tree Nature Center for kids between the ages of 7 and 12 on July 15th and 16. Camp is sponsored by Pennsylvania American Water Company and the Pennsylvania Resources Council and is open to participants between the ages of 7 and 12. Activities include hiking, nature trails, experiments and lots of outdoor fun.
412-431-4449, extension 247
McMurray
Three-, four- or five-day camps that offer kids between the ages of 6 and 14 the opportunities to learn cooking techniques as well as create gastronomic delights from Greece, China and Sweden. Camp runs from June 9 through Aug. 8.
724-941-6672
www.youngchefsacademy.com
Mt. Lebanon
Two-week writing workshops for kids who are in fourth through eighth grades. This camp is a program created and run by the University of Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania Project. Camp runs Mondays through Thursdays, between June 23 and July 3
412-624-6557
www.wpawritingproject.org
Green Tree
Summer Fun Camp is open to ages 5 to 10 years. Ongoing programs for nursery, preschool and kindergarten are available in this school with 26-years in caring for and teaching children. Child care is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center is located in the Covenant Community Presbyterian Church. For details, call 412-344-4422 or visit www.abcsfor children.com