With the ongoing snow and frigid temperatures, summer might still seem far away – but those looking to place children in summer camps should begin thinking about where to find spots for them.
Allegheny County Search Tool
Caregivers can find available spots for children at Allegheny County early learning, after school, summer camp, and virtual programs on Allegheny Child Care for Families’ website. The website – a collaboration between Trying Together and APOST – enables caregivers to explore programs based on location or children’s age and also includes virtual programs.
Providers regularly update information regarding available spots and whether they are accepting new families. As summer camp signup season approaches, providers should remember to update their profiles on the website. Caregivers can also create an account to save a list of their favorite child care providers.
How to Prepare Your Child for Summer Camp
While going away to summer camp can be exciting and provide a sense of independence for some children and young adults, it can also create anxiety for others.
The Child Mind Institute put together a list of resources regarding summer camp anxiety to help caregivers in easing children’s minds for when they will spend the night away from home.
In one article, the institute lists a variety of ways that caregivers can help children to overcome pre-camp anxiety – including letting them feel a sense of ownership over the experience, not trivializing their concerns or offering glib reassurances, reflecting on your own formative experiences away from home and sharing positive aspects, and not lingering at the bus stop or drop-off point.
In an article from New York Presbyterian on a similar topic, suggestions to help children get the most out of their summer camp experience include not promising to pick up a child as soon as they get homesick, doing a dry run by visiting the camp ahead of time, sending along a favorite stuffed animal, or suggesting they talk to a camp counselor about any challenges they have.
Allegheny County Summer Camp Options
In February, Kidsburgh released its annual list of local summer camps for children of all ages and interests. This year, among the 75 camps listed were:
- August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s Hip Hop Camp
- Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- Pittsburgh Musical Theater Conservatory
- Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
- Shady Side Academy
- Jewish Community Center
- National Aviary
- Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
- Pittsburgh Public Theater Summer Camps
In the Kidsburgh article, each summer camp listing is accompanied by information on the program and registration.
Programs listed in Allegheny Child Care for Families’ database include the Homewood-Brushton YMCA, Venture Outdoors, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, and the Sarah Heinz House Association, among others.
Summer Camp Options in Other Counties
There are a variety of options for summer camps in other nearby western Pennsylvania counties. These include:
Armstrong County
Beaver County
Butler County
- Butler County YMCA summer camps
- Butler County Community College’s Kids on Campus Summer Camps
- Lifesteps STEAM camp
- Butler County Parks and Recreation’s Camp Alameda
Fayette County
Greene County
Indiana County
- YMCA of Indiana County Day Camp
- Indiana Outdoor School
- Laurel Lake Summer Camp
- Indiana County Extension 4-H
Lawrence County
Washington County
- Fired Up Art Studio summer camp
- Peters Township Parks & Recreation summer camps
- Camp Splash in Canonsburg
- Little Farmers Day Camp
Westmoreland County
