If your child’s already thinking about summer camp, it might be time to start looking into early registration. Some camps accept applications as early as December, so you can take care of the registration process early and have plenty of time to prepare before the summer starts.
Check out these Pittsburgh-area camps with early registration in December and January and plan ahead for dates in February and March. From classic day camps to specialty camps focused on one area of interest, there’s a lot to explore!
Open for Registration
Camp Soles
Rockwood
An overnight camp with plenty of outdoor adventure offerings and a counselor-in-training program for older campers
Registration currently open
iD Tech Camps at Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh
Computer science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) camp with day camp and overnight options
Registration currently open
idtech.com/locations/pennsylvania-summer-camps/carnegie-mellon-university
JCC Pittsburgh Day Camps
Locations in Monroeville, Squirrel Hill and South Hills
Day camps run by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh that incorporate Jewish teachings into day and specialty camp programs
Registration currently open
Woodward
Woodward
Outdoor adventure camp with a focus on BMX biking, skating and skateboarding
Registration currently open
woodwardpa.com
YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer
Fombell
Overnight camp run by the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh that’s celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026
Registration currently open
Opening in December
Camp Deer Creek
Indianola
The oldest day camp in the Pittsburgh area. Activities include archery, sports, arts and horseback riding.
Registration opens in December
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Summer Camp
Washington
A STEAM (STEM with arts) camp that uses the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s campus
Registration opens in December
pa-trolley.org/education/summer-camps
Opening in January
Audubon Nature Camps
Locations in Fox Chapel, Butler and Sarver
Nature and science-based camps run by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
Registration opens in January
aswp.org/our-programs/nature-camps
Switch and Signal Summer Skate
Swissvale
Full-day skating and skateboarding program for kids ages 5 to 13
Registration opens in January
switchandsignalskatepark.com/skate-camps
Opening in February
Camp Pine
Wexford
Pine Township’s resident summer camp program; offers specialty camps and a general day camp
Registration opens in February
twp.pine.pa.us/507/Summer-Camps
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Summer Camp
Pittsburgh
Nature camp at the Frick Environmental Center. Offerings range from nature play to camping and survival skills.
Registration opens in February
pittsburghparks.org/learn/summer-camp
Point Park University Summer Camps
Pittsburgh
Educational programs for youths and high schoolers. Offerings include arts, business, community service and career readiness.
Registration opens in February
PISA Summer Camp
Cheswick
Indoor and outdoor sports camp taking place at the Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena
Registration opens Feb. 1
Shady Side Academy Summer Camps
Pittsburgh
Offers a variety of camps for different age groups, as well as specialty camps
Registration opens Feb. 4
Pittsburgh Zoo Camp
Pittsburgh
Nature camps at the zoo with subjects such as marine biology and veterinary care
Registration opens Feb. 11
Carnegie Summer Camps
Pittsburgh
The Carnegie Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History host art and STEM camps during the summer
Registration opens Feb. 23 for Carnegie members and March 2 for the general public
camps.artandnaturalhistory.org
Opening in March
Girls+ Rock! Pittsburgh Summer Camp
Pittsburgh
Volunteer-run music performance camp aimed at girls and nonbinary youth
Registration opens in March
girlsrockpittsburgh.org/summer-camp
University of Pittsburgh Summer Camp
Pittsburgh
Day camp utilizing the University of Pittsburgh campus; has a counselor-in-training program for older campers
Registration opens in March
education.pitt.edu/centers-and-engagement
More To Explore
As more summer camps announce their registration dates, many will be opening for registration from January through March. Here are just a handful of camps to look out for this winter. For even more options to fuel your camp search, visit pittsburghparent.com/campdirectory.
Overnight Camps
- Camp Fitch YMCA, North Springfield
- Camp Saginaw, Oxford
- Heinz House Residential Camp, Eliwood City
- River Mountain, Everett
- Ligonier Camp, Ligonier
Specialty Camps
- Mad Science Summer Camp, multiple locations in Pittsburgh area (STEM)
- USA Professional Karate Camps, Pittsburgh (Martial arts)
- WQED Film Academy, Pittsburg (Filmmaking)
- Pony Camp, Library (Equestrian)
- Camp Delicious, Pittsburgh (Cooking)
{ New Program }
Camp Invention Launches ‘Spark’ in 2026
Camp Invention has long been a learning space for creative kids to put their thinking caps on and channel the inventors that came before them. A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum, the camp stemmed from a makers’ space that was popular with young people at the museum’s original Akron, Ohio, location. The first locations opened in 1990, and now there are thousands across the country, including the Pittsburgh area. This year, Camp Invention has a new program with more than a dozen locations in and around Pittsburgh.
The Spark program is focused on collaboration on different problem-solving experiences through hands-on challenges and open-ended adventures.
Kids can “time travel to ensure their ideas are patented and protected against the Infringers” or “create sleuthing gadgets to help them collect bits of fluffy fur and reveal a trail of animal tracks” as they investigate mischievous pranks with Cap E. Bara and a fleet of robotic capybaras. Other adventures explore surfboard innovation and DIY space rockets.
Locations where the program will be offered in Summer 2026 include St. Benedict the Moor School, Guardian Angel Academy, Dormont Elementary School, Pleasant Hills Middle School, Ingomar Elementary School, Holiday Park Intermediate School in Pittsburgh.
Surrounding the city, there are options in Archangel Gabriel School in McKees Rocks, Providence Heights Alpha School in Allison Park, Neil Armstrong Middle School in Bethel Park, Tenth Street Elementary School in Oakmont and more.
Learn more and search for a location near you at invent.org/programs/camp-invention.
