Explore the interesting animals of the Laurel Highlands – both real and imaginary! Investigate the real mammals, amphibians, birds, and reptiles that play important roles in the Appalachian environment, and unravel the mysteries of the mythical creatures that live only in imagination. From the real but elusive hellbender to the mythical crying squonk, discover the animals that play a role in fact and folklore and what those stories can teach us about the natural world.
Learn more about Myths and Legends: Animals of Appalachia.
Let’s go green! Discover the environmental efforts that make Pittsburgh a green city. Learn about the city’s transformation from industrialized and polluted to sustainable and livable. Visit nearby “living buildings” to examine how local organizations achieve net zero energy and keep our water clean. Hike our beautiful parks and uncover how green spaces keep the city’s inhabitants healthy, from people to plants to animals. Get active on this adventurous camp with daily excursions by foot and Pittsburgh Regional Transit.
Learn more about Green Pittsburgh.
There’s no place like camp! Journey over the rainbow to uncover the mysteries of life in Oz and compare them to the natural world. Use your brain to search for ruby red and emerald green minerals, and discover how patterns help lions, tigers, and bears survive in the wild. Gather your courage and head outside in search of all the colors of the rainbow, and put your heart into colorful crafts. Make magic rainbow bubbles and get to know tiny “munchkin” plants and animals.
Learn more about Hi-Fives!: Over the Rainbow.
Spend the week creating crafts and enjoying nature like you live in a cozy cottage in the woods! Trek through the forest to watch for Pennsylvania birds, press flowers from the meadow, and pick fresh raspberries for homemade pies. Try your hand at sewing and upcycle old fabric to braid into rugs. Extract essential oils to use in candle-making, and relax with puzzles of all types. Make a scrapbook of your adventures to remember your cottage core camp!
Learn more about Cottage in the Woods.
Campers, let your imagination run wild as you explore daily themes with crafts, games, and creative play. Make tents and “camp out” as you learn about wilderness survival. Uncover your inner “forest witch” and brew potions, look for frogs, and collect worms for your magic spells. Imagine life in underwater kingdoms, sculpt with mud, host a fairy tea party, and much more!
Learn more about Investigation Imagination.
Explore the world of Super Mario and find out how it compares to our natural world. Adventure into the museum and meet the inspirations for your favorite turtle and dinosaur characters. Create STEM-based “power-up” projects, and dive into the natural biomes that match up to favorite game worlds. Design and race your own model go-kart and complete a Mario-inspired obstacle course in this week of next-level fun!
Learn more about Mario's Natural World.
Come and catch them all! Join Pokéteam Carnegie to explore the natural world of Pokémon. Learn about different Pokémon and examine their habitats to discover what makes them strong. Meet entomology experts and compare the life cycle of Pokébugs to real insects. Create your own Poké Ball and Pokémon creature based on real features of amazing animals. Go on quests in the museum and Schenley Park to find Pokémon.
Learn more about PokéGo.
Adventure out into the wild and search for treasure in the forest, meadow, and stream! Hone your observation skills and seek out oddities to amass into a creative collection. Learn how to use a metal detector, press plants, and recycle collected items to leave no trace in nature. This camp will keep you active while using your creativity to turn trash to treasure!
Learn more about Treasure Hunters.
Calling all druids, wizards, and rogues! Immerse yourself in this game-based camp full of quests and unforgettable challenges. Create unique characters and go on adventures in a prehistoric world of giant dragonflies and the real-life “dragons” we know as dinosaurs. Explore hidden spaces in the museum and learn how caves form. Uncover the science of biomimicry, plus investigate interesting insects and nocturnal creatures. Roll the dice and see what missions lie ahead!
Learn more about Dungeons and Dragonflies.
Get ready to see Pittsburgh like you’ve never seen it before! Trek across the city by foot and Pittsburgh Regional Transit to find out what makes our wonderful city unique. Visit famous ‘Burgh locations like the bustling Strip District, colorful Randyland, and beautiful Point State Park. Discover the sports, bridges, architecture, and organizations that put Pittsburgh on the map. Navigate through our area’s kaleidoscope of cultural traditions. Lace up your sneakers—this is an active camp with daily hiking and public transit excursions.
Learn more about Hello Pittsburgh!.
Grab a magnifying glass and explore the world of bugs! Learn how insects move, crawl, walk, and fly. Conduct experiments with real bugs. Investigate how different critters make sounds, and test the strength of beetles. Use microscopes to take a closer look at colorful butterfly wings. Act like your favorite insect and participate in a “Pitts-bug” marathon. Venture outside to uncover nearby insect habitats, plus build your own insect model and bug house to take home.
Learn more about Hi-Fives!: Bug Bonanza.
Dive into the wonders of water! Splish and splash your way through experiments, games, and outdoor water play to learn all about the science of our watery, icy world. Find out what makes an object sink or float, and create colorful water paintings. Discover aquatic adaptations of amphibians, reptiles, fish, and other critters that live in ponds, rivers, and oceans. Build a cascading water wall and search the museum for minerals that look like ice.
Learn more about Splish Splash.
Discover the amazing creatures living in and around your home! Explore the museum’s exhibits, backyard, and nearby Schenley Park to look for critters, search for insects in leaf litter, and go on a mammal scavenger hunt. Create your own bird feeder to attract birds to your yard, plus craft a bug hotel and make art from nature. Conduct plant pigment experiments and dissect fruits and vegetables. Uncover backyard micro mysteries using magnifiers and a video microscope.
Learn more about Backyard Biology.
Search for salamanders, set up insect traps, and “fish” for microplankton on biology expeditions. Soar to new heights as you study seed dispersal, and find animals in different ecosystems on hikes through nearby Schenley Park. Learn how invasive plant species spread and make native plant kits for your garden. Discover the intricate art of making nests, plus build a nest and test its strength.
Learn more about Eco Adventures.