Many summer camps that you’ll find in our Big Summer Camp Guide for 2026 give kids a chance to get some fresh air. But some, like the 15 you’ll find listed below, are specifically focused on outdoor fun.
If your child loves playing outside, exploring nature and having fun in the sun, check out these summer camp options:
Summer camp at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. Photo courtesy of Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Discovery Camps: These summer day camps are for students up to age 18. They balance exploration, nature play and learning with games, crafts, science activities — and time to be a kid. Camps take place 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.
Photo courtesy of Fern Hollow Nature Center.
Fern Hollow Nature Center: Fern Hollow Nature Center, located on 33 acres in Sewickley Heights Borough will offer over 20 summer camps for children ages 3-14. Week-long camps will run from June 15 through Aug. 14, with half-day and full-day sessions emphasizing outdoor exploration and discovery. Kids will learn about everything from archery to sustainability. Some camps will take place at the Ohio Township Nature Center, located near Fern Hollow on Nicholson Road. Members’-only registration begins Feb. 1 and runs through Feb. 28. Registration will open to the public on March 1. Click here to learn about getting a Fern Hollow membership.
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: Kids ages 4-14 are the focus of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s summer camps based out of the Frick Environmental Center, which run various dates between June 15 and Aug. 14. Camps are geared to specific ages, so kids get the most from the experience. In Kinder Camp, for example, 4- and 5-year-olds dig for worms, plant seeds and sing songs. Fifth and sixth graders in Outdoor Expedition Camp take part in hands-on projects and skill-building activities while exploring the beautiful spaces in Frick Park. This year, registration opens Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Scholarships (called “camperships”) are available. (Note: Each child may participate in one camp session each summer. Space is limited and the Parks Conservancy strives to have as many children experience the camps as possible.) Find details here.
Camp Deer Creek: Day camp season will run June 8 through Aug. 7 this year at Camp Deer Creek in Cheswick, keeping kids busy with everything from swimming and horseback riding to nature trails and a “drama hut.” This camp offers 18 different bus routes, picking up campers each 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, Camp Guyasuta will offer eight weeks of co-ed day camp beginning on June 1 and running through July 31. Early drop-off and late pick-up are available to make scheduling easier for working parents. Activities include archery, ropes courses, creek hiking, swimming and much more, including “human foosball.” This popular camp takes 180 campers per week and can fill up quickly, but a waitlist is available. Learn more and register here.
Summer camp photos courtesy of Steel City Rowing.
Steel City Rowing Club: The Steel City Rowing Club offers camps for kids ages 8-18. At River Camp (choose from one-week sessions during June and July), kids ages 8-12 explore the Allegheny River in kayaks and canoes, while enjoying swimming and paddle boarding or just relaxing on the docks. An excursion to Sycamore Island to explore the environment on and around the island is part of the adventure. Rise & Row Camp is offered (one-week sessions in June and July) for youth ages 12-15, while Youth Summer Rowing (great for everyone from beginners to experienced rowers) is offered for ages 11-18 during later June and July. Registration is now open at the links above.
Photo courtesy of Blue Ribbon Farm.
Blue Ribbon Farms: At Blue Ribbon Farms in Aliquippa, Little Farmers Day Camp gives kids the chance to step into real farm life through hands‑on activities, outdoor adventures and plenty of time with friendly animals. Voted Best Camp year after year, it blends fun, learning, and fresh‑air exploration in a way that keeps kids excited to come back each morning. Hands-on experiences include daily interaction with animals, horseback riding and grooming, and much more. Kids also learn about growing food in the expansive garden and collect fresh eggs, then help prepare dishes from food harvested on the farm. Crafts, nature walks and games are also part of the fun. Camps are geared to kids ages 4-13 and run June 23 through Aug. 6. Register right here.
Glade Run Lutheran Services Specialized Adventure Camp: Looking for summer camps around Pittsburgh that focus on social-emotional skills? Glade Run’s Specialized Adventures Camp is a social skills development course specifically designed for kids with moderate to high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, but any kids ages 8-18 who need help with social skill development will be considered. Activities include horseback riding, animals, trail and stream exploration, gardening and more. Information and application forms are available right here. A limited number of partial scholarships are available through the Glade Run Foundation.
Glade Run Independent Rider Camp: These camps are designed for riders aged 8 and up who can independently steer and control their horses, and trot in a group setting. Camps welcome neurodiversity and are specially designed for campers with mental health needs and developmental disabilities, focusing on improving social skills, but ALL neurotypes are considered for camp. Information and application forms are available right here. A limited number of partial scholarships are available through the Glade Run Foundation.
Photo courtesy of Venture Outdoors.
Venture Outdoors: Registration is open for Venture Outdoors’ summer camps for kids going into grades K-12. Camps will be hosted this year at North Park and South Park between June 22 and Aug. 14. Outdoor-loving kids will enjoy active recreation like kayaking, fishing, biking, geocaching and more. Science experiments, crafts and leadership development will help kids gain self-confidence and a greater appreciation for nature. Check out the lineup and register here. (Limited scholarships are available. Questions? Contact Jody Rutten.)
Photo courtesy of Discovery School Summer Camp.
The Discovery School Day Camp: This nature-based camp is located at The Discovery School in Allison Park, offering a full-day camp for children ages 3 to 11. Sessions during June and July will include a mix of outdoor fun on the school’s seven-acre nature campus (such as kayaking on the pond or performing in their outdoor theater), as well as indoor activities (such as art and design in their maker space and full use of their air-conditioned school). Lunch and snacks are included and before-care is available at no cost. Learn more, sign up for a campus tour, and register your camper right here.
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium: You might say Summer Zoo Camps are pretty wild. Each five-day week is packed with animal encounters, guided tours and themed classroom lessons designed to be fun and engaging for specific age groups. Kids can visit for half-day and full-day sessions. Member registration opens Feb. 17 and general registration opens Feb. 23. Details and registration here.
Horses Unlimited Stables: Kids who love ponies will want to know about the two Pony Camps at Horses Unlimited Stables. Campers ages 5-10 will receive an introduction to Western and English riding in the four-day sessions happening Aug. 3.through Aug. 13. Kids will learn horse care methods, including a hands-on pony bath to safely clean off the mud. Expect horse-themed crafts and games, too. Email unlimitedhorses@aol.com or call 412-835-7726 to register, and learn more here.
Champ Camp by Champions: Champ Camp by Champions will include outdoor adventures, nature exploration and ultra-fun field trips. This full-day camp experience, which includes snacks and field trips, runs 7 a.m. through 6 p.m. The camp, designed for 5-year-olds through 12-year-olds, takes place this year in several Pittsburgh-region locations: La Roche University, the University of Pittsburgh, Curtisville Primary Center in Tarentum and Homeville Elementary in West Mifflin. Dates vary somewhat by location. Search here for details (click “Find a Location,” then choose).
Golf Summer Camp at Diamond Run Golf Club: Kids will experience action-packed half-day or full-day camps, which include hands-on instruction led by certified PGA of America Golf Professionals and/or LPGA Teaching Professionals. The PGA camp curriculum focuses on developing golf skills (full swing, short game, rules and etiquette) while keeping the experience fun and engaging (games and activities), with a low student-to-teacher ratio. Details here.