For parents in the Pittsburgh area looking for a fantastic way for their kids to learn and grow this summer, the region puts on a wide variety of summer camp options. These aren’t just a fun way for children to spend their break. They’re also a valuable opportunity for parents to gain some much-needed time to focus on work, household tasks, or simply enjoy a bit of relaxation. The best part is that many of these camps focus on specialized areas so your child can grow in the area they enjoy most such as soccer, photography, or theater. Regardless, each Pittsburgh summer camp offers diverse programming that caters to all interests and age groups. So, get them enrolled today so your kiddo can build lasting memories and stay active all summer long.
Kids Camps to Stay Busy This Summer Break in Pittsburgh 2025
Pittsburgh CLO Academy’s Summer Semester
Sessions available June 1 to August 7
Your little actor can get their chance on stage at Pittsburgh CLO Academy’s Summer Semester musical camps. Whether your kiddo is looking for a quick boot camp to learn a handful of skills or participate in musicals like Frozen Jr. and Beetlejuice Jr., there’s a camp for them. Plus, Pittsburgh CLO has two locations for camps this year at their stage downtown and at the South Park Amphitheater.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2025 Summer Camps
Sessions starting June 9
At various locations throughout the region you can help your soccer star gain tips from real professionals. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the city’s premiere soccer team, is here to guide them through a summer of fun and skill building. Look forward to activity-focused training as your child learns passing, shooting, attacking, and more leading up to their big games.
Camp Deer Creek
June 9 to August 8
A good ole’ fashioned summer camp out in the woods with endless nature experiences makes for a day camp that’s perfect for all. Every day your little one will have the chance to learn archery, take on rock climbing walls, act alongside drama specialists, try horseback riding, cool off with a swim, and so much more.
Carnegie Science Center 2025 Summer Camps
Sessions available June 9 to August 22
There are plenty of options at Carnegie Science Center to cater to your child’s special interest. Are they interested in how toys work and engineering? How about the science of scaly creatures? Or do they love creating their own fashion line? All these and much more await at the Science Center. Plus, all camps are split into age groups, and either half- or full-day experiences.
Children’s Museum Summer Camps 2025
Sessions available June 16 to August 22
While the younger camps at the Children’s Museum focus on a main theme of Curiosity Camp, the older age groups have a chance to explore a specific category. For instance, they can learn hands-on photography techniques using professional equipment. Or, they can learn to use essential tools to build whatever their brain might imagine. The sky is the limit!
USA Professional Karate Summer Camps
Sessions available June 16 to August 8
Has your little one always wanted to learn karate but you don’t have the time to practice year-round? USA Professional Karate’s summer camps are designed to train students in weapons classes, acrobatics, prop workshops, and so much more. They can choose to focus in a certain area or take it all on and work towards earning a belt.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Summer Camp
Sessions available June 23 to July 3
A few spots are left for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s nature camps for children ages 4 years old to entering kindergarten this fall or entering 5th or 6th grade this fall. Each 5-day camp includes activities that appeal to their age groups such as digging for worms and planting seeds for the little ones as well as spending the mornings in Frick Park and taking a field trip to kayak and swim for the older children.
Venture Outdoors Summer Camps
Sessions available June 23 to August 8
At both North Park and South Park, let your child spend their summer outdoors for a ton of wilderness fun. Check out camps that specialize in fishing, hiking, kayaking, survival skills, treasure hunting, and ecosystem exploration. Needless to say they’ll come home with endless stories to tell and an appreciation for nature.
2025 Zoo Camp at Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
Sessions available June to August
What kid wouldn’t love to adventure with a backstage view of the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium? With these summer camps, kids of all ages can become animal ambassadors by with animal encounters, exclusive tours, and exciting classroom lessons. There is also extended aftercare available on select weeks in June, July, and August so you don’t have to rush to pick up.
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Nature Adventure Camps
Sessions available July 18 and August 5 to 7
The two camps still available at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden are for ages 7 to 11 and focus on bringing nature into the kitchen and craft room alike. The first session on July 18 lets kids make their own crafts using and leaves and flowers from the environment around them. The second session from August 5 to 7 teaches campers about edible plants. They’ll learn easy recipes to make a delicious lunch that ends the day.
Girl Scouts of Western PA Summer Camps
Did you know your child doesn’t have to be in a Girl Scouts troop to join a summer camp? Instead, you can pay a small fee to be an Indie Girl Scout so they can enjoy camp and any other activities on their own time. Choose to make new friendships at Camp Conshatawba in Cambria County, Camp Hawthorne Ridge in Erie County, Camp Redwing in Butler County, and Camp Skymeadow in Armstrong County.
YMCA’s Journey Into the Extraordinary: A Summer of Discovery
Sessions information available at your local YMCA
There’s plenty of fun not too far from home at your local YMCA. This year’s camps center around discovering the extraordinary. Kids will get to building “time machines” through imaginative crafts, play water games, and complete art projects while making lifelong friendships along the way.
Pittsburgh Opera Bravo Academy
Sessions available July 7 to July 11 and July 14 to July 18
See your child on the Blitz Opera Factory’s stage! Kids ages 11 to 15 can ignite their passion for the stage whether that’s singing as the lead or making the magic happen behind the scenes. All academy members will get to attend classes like costume design, improvisation, voice, opera storytelling, movement, and special effects/lighting design. Its a fantastic way to develop a well-rounded theatre skillset.
JCC Camps
Various sessions available by camp
The opportunities at JCC’s summer camps are endless. Options between day and overnight camps make it easy for parents to select what is best for their schedule. Plus, the variety of camps available range from regular day camp programming with endless entertainment and friendships to specialized programs that help kids be the best they can be in whatever their passion is. Choose from Day Camps in Monroeville, Squirrel Hill, and South Hills, overnight stays at Emma Kaufmann Camp along Cheat Lake near Morgantown, West Virginia, Specialty Camps in sports, STEM, creative arts, and adventure, or Performing Arts Camp.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Venture Outdoors
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