15 Pittsburgh-area summer time camps for out of doors enjoyable

Many summer time camps that you simply’ll discover in our Big Summer Camp Guide for 2026 give children an opportunity to get some recent air. But some, just like the 15 you’ll discover listed beneath, are particularly targeted on out of doors enjoyable. 

If your youngster loves enjoying exterior, exploring nature and having enjoyable within the solar, take a look at these summer time camp choices: 

Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Discovery Camps: These summer time day camps are for college students as much as age 18. They steadiness exploration, nature play and studying with video games, crafts, science actions — and time to be a child. Camps happen at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve (Fox Chapel), Succop Nature Park (Butler), and Buffalo Creek Nature Park (Sarver). See a full list and registration details here.

Fern Hollow Nature Center: Fern Hollow Nature Center, positioned on 33 acres in Sewickley Heights Borough will provide over 20 summer time camps for kids ages 3-14. Week-long camps will run from June 15 via Aug. 14, with half-day and full-day classes emphasizing out of doors exploration and discovery. Kids will find out about the whole lot from archery to sustainability. Some camps will happen on the Ohio Township Nature Center, positioned close to Fern Hollow on Nicholson Road. Members’-only registration begins Feb. 1 and runs via Feb. 28. Registration will open to the general public on March 1. Click here to find out about getting a Fern Hollow membership.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: Kids ages 4-14 are the main target of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s summer time camps based mostly out of the Frick Environmental Center, which run varied dates between June 15 and Aug. 14. Camps are geared to particular ages, so children get probably the most from the expertise. In Kinder Camp, for instance, 4- and 5-year-olds dig for worms, plant seeds and sing songs. Fifth and sixth graders in Outdoor Expedition Camp participate in hands-on initiatives and skill-building actions whereas exploring the attractive areas in Frick Park. This yr, registration opens Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Scholarships (known as “camperships”) can be found. (Note: Each youngster could take part in a single camp session every summer time. Space is restricted and the Parks Conservancy strives to have as many youngsters expertise the camps as attainable.) Find details here.

Camp Deer Creek: Day camp season will run June 8 via Aug. 7 this yr at Camp Deer Creek in Cheswick, maintaining children busy with the whole lot from swimming and horseback driving to nature trails and a “drama hut.” This camp provides 18 completely different bus routes, selecting up campers every morning in Squirrel Hill, Greenfield, Edgewood, the North Side, Swissvale, Point Breeze, Oakland, Shadyside, Highland Park, Fox Chapel, O’Hara, North Hills, South Hills, Monroeville, Oakmont, Wexford and Cranberry. Learn more and register here.

STEM Adventure Day Camp at Guyasuta: This summer time, Camp Guyasuta will provide eight weeks of co-ed day camp starting on June 1 and working via July 31. Early drop-off and late pick-up can be found to make scheduling simpler for working dad and mom. Activities embody archery, ropes programs, creek mountaineering, swimming and way more, together with “human foosball.” This widespread camp takes 180 campers per week and may replenish rapidly, however a waitlist is accessible. Learn more and register here.

Steel City Rowing Club: The Steel City Rowing Club provides camps for teenagers ages 8-18. At River Camp (select from one-week classes throughout June and July), children ages 8-12 discover the Allegheny River in kayaks and canoes, whereas having fun with swimming and paddle boarding or simply stress-free on the docks. An tour to Sycamore Island to discover the atmosphere on and across the island is a part of the journey. Rise & Row Camp is obtainable (one-week classes in June and July) for youth ages 12-15, whereas Youth Summer Rowing (nice for everybody from learners to skilled rowers) is obtainable for ages 11-18 throughout later June and July. Registration is now open on the hyperlinks above.

Blue Ribbon Farms: At Blue Ribbon Farms in Aliquippa, Little Farmers Day Camp offers children the prospect to step into actual farm life via fingers‑on actions, out of doors adventures and loads of time with pleasant animals. Voted Best Camp yr after yr, it blends enjoyable, studying, and recent‑air exploration in a means that retains children excited to return again every morning. Hands-on experiences embody every day interplay with animals, horseback driving and grooming, and way more. Kids additionally find out about rising meals within the expansive backyard and acquire recent eggs, then assist put together dishes from meals harvested on the farm. Crafts, nature walks and video games are additionally a part of the enjoyable. Camps are geared to children ages 4-13 and run June 23 via Aug. 6. Register right here.

Glade Run Lutheran Services Specialized Adventure Camp: Looking for summer time camps round Pittsburgh that target social-emotional expertise? Glade Run’s Specialized Adventures Camp is a social expertise improvement course particularly designed for teenagers with reasonable to high-functioning autism spectrum problems, however any children ages 8-18 who need assistance with social talent improvement will probably be thought of. Activities embody horseback driving, animals, path and stream exploration, gardening and extra. Information and software types can be found right here. A restricted variety of partial scholarships can be found via the Glade Run Foundation.

Glade Run Independent Rider Camp: These camps are designed for riders aged 8 and up who can independently steer and management their horses, and trot in a bunch setting. Camps welcome neurodiversity and are specifically designed for campers with psychological well being wants and developmental disabilities, specializing in bettering social expertise, however ALL neurotypes are thought of for camp. Information and software types can be found right here. A restricted variety of partial scholarships can be found via the Glade Run Foundation.

Venture Outdoors: Registration is open for Venture Outdoors’ summer camps for teenagers going into grades Okay-12. Camps will probably be hosted this yr at North Park and South Park between June 22 and Aug. 14. Outdoor-loving children will get pleasure from energetic recreation like kayaking, fishing, biking, geocaching and extra. Science experiments, crafts and management improvement will assist children acquire self-confidence and a larger appreciation for nature. Check out the lineup and register here. (Limited scholarships can be found. Questions? Contact Jody Rutten.)

The Discovery School Day Camp: This nature-based camp is positioned at The Discovery School in Allison Park, providing a full-day camp for kids ages 3 to 11. Sessions throughout June and July will embody a mixture of out of doors enjoyable on the college’s seven-acre nature campus (resembling kayaking on the pond or performing of their out of doors theater), in addition to indoor actions (resembling artwork and design of their maker area and full use of their air-conditioned college). Lunch and snacks are included and before-care is accessible for gratis. Learn extra, join a campus tour, and register your camper right here.

Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium: You would possibly say Summer Zoo Camps are fairly wild. Each five-day week is full of animal encounters, guided excursions and themed classroom classes designed to be enjoyable and interesting for particular age teams. Kids can go to for half-day and full-day classes. Member registration opens Feb. 17 and normal registration opens Feb. 23. Details and registration here.

Horses Unlimited Stables: Kids who love ponies will need to know concerning the two Pony Camps at Horses Unlimited Stables. Campers ages 5-10 will obtain an introduction to Western and English driving within the four-day classes taking place Aug. 3.via Aug. 13. Kids will be taught horse care strategies, together with a hands-on pony bathtub to securely clear off the mud. Expect horse-themed crafts and video games, too. Email [email protected] or name 412-835-7726 to register, and learn more here.