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Oakland Camp Procedures

Important Forms and Information

All campers must submit a Carnegie Institute Programs Permission Form in advance of their camp program. Programs Permission Forms can be completed online via a unique link that is sent directly to the e-mail address of each camper’s registering adult. Please complete this form as soon as possible; it is due two weeks prior to the start of your camp program.

  • Campers must be the appropriate age on the date the selected camp begins.
  • Children who turn 4 after August 3, 2026 are too young for half-day camps.
  • Children who turn 5 after July 27, 2026 are too young for Hi-Fives! camps.
  • Children who turn 6 after August 17, 2026 are too young for 6-7 year old full day camps.

General Information

Public Health

We’re following all recommendations by the PA Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Campers will be expected to adhere to the public health guidance and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures in place during the time of their camp.

Welcome to Our Camp Community!

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh summer camps celebrate all differences. We firmly believe that we are strengthened by the unique qualities, backgrounds, and experiences that each camper, staff member, and volunteer brings to our community. This approach fosters a sense of belonging—enabling everyone to feel valued, respected, and free to be their authentic selves. By centering Core Values of collaboration, inclusion, accessibility, integrity and safety, we create an enhanced camp experience that reflects the richness of the world around us.

Behavior Expectations

Camp provides a wonderful opportunity to create new friendships, explore lots of activities, and build a safe and positive community of peers. All campers are expected to follow basic rules of behavior, including respecting themselves, others, museum property, and camp materials. Each camp will review the rules with all campers at the start of the week. We will not tolerate disrespectful behavior, foul language, or violence of any sort. These behaviors include, but are not limited to, hitting, kicking, biting, sexual harassment, and/or possessing weapons or illegal substances. We reserve the right to ask campers to leave the program without a refund.

Clothing

Campers participate in indoor and outdoor activities with materials that could stain or harm clothing. They should wear clothes that can get dirty and dress in layers for comfort in cool air conditioning or hot summer weather.

Footwear

Closed shoes such as sneakers are required. For safety, campers are not allowed to wear flip flops, sandals, open-back shoes, or Crocs. Children without proper footwear will not participate in recess or in outdoor (and some indoor) activities. If a child arrives at camp with unsafe footwear, an adult must provide appropriate footwear before the camper will be permitted to participate fully in camp activities.

Lunch

All children attending full-day camp programs must bring a packed lunch and drink each day. Refrigeration and microwaves are not available. Campers are not permitted to use vending machines or make purchases at the café. Campers are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles marked with their names. Food and drink are not permitted in the galleries. Campers are not permitted to share food with other campers due to dietary/medical restrictions. You will be notified if camp activities involve food.

Snacks

  • Full-day camps for ages 6–13 do not provide or permit snacks.
  • Children enrolled in half-day camps for ages 4–5 or Hi-Fives! programs may bring snacks; light snacks will also be provided.
  • Children enrolled in post-camp may bring snacks and drinks; light snacks will also be provided.

Food Allergies

Please list your child’s food allergies on the Carnegie Institute Programs Permission Form, including any special accommodations your child may require because of the allergy. Our standard accommodation upon request is to provide allergen-free seating where tabletops are cleaned prior to each lunch seating. Campers are grouped so as not to isolate any children. If your camper has severe allergies that require further precautions, contact Program Registration to discuss your child’s needs and available support.

Medication

Staff may not dispense medications. If medication must be taken during camp, arrangements must be made for an adult to come and dispense medication. If an adult is unable to come and dispense medication, you must complete a Consent for Self-Administration of Medication Form allowing your camper to carry and administer their own medication. Contact Program Registration at least one week in advance of camp.

The following applies for campers with epinephrine prescription medication:

  • Museum staff are not permitted to store or carry epinephrine for campers.
  • Children who must carry epinephrine are permitted to bring and use epinephrine on themselves in the event of an emergency.
  • If a child cannot administer the medication to themself, appropriately trained Carnegie Museums staff may administer the child’s epinephrine auto injector or nasal spray, provided that the child’s parent/guardian has previously provided permission via the Epinephrine Autoinjector Policy and Consent Form.
  • If an epinephrine auto injector or nasal spray is administered, 911 and the parent/guardian of the camper will be notified immediately.

The following applies for campers with emergency medication for epilepsy:

  • Museum staff are not permitted to store or carry emergency medication for campers.
  • Children who require emergency medication for epilepsy are expected to carry their emergency medication with them throughout the day.
  • Appropriately trained Carnegie Museums staff will administer the medication in accordance with a predefined Action Plan, provided that the child’s parent/guardian has previously provided permission via the Emergency Epilepsy Medication Policy and Consent Form.
  • If an emergency medication is administered, 911 and the parent/guardian of the program participant will be notified.

Sunscreen and Insect Repellent

Sunscreen and insect repellent are encouraged for outdoor activities. Staff may not apply sunscreen or insect repellent for campers, so please be sure to apply in the morning before arrival. Campers may apply sunscreen and/or insect repellent to themselves. Sunscreen and insect repellent are not provided.

Personal Property

While some program participants may require access to cell phones or other personal property to meet medical or accessibility needs, campers are discouraged from bringing unnecessary personal property (toys, electronic games, music players, cellphones, cameras, etc) to the program. These items may be a distraction from the program experience, and we do not have a secure location to store valuable items. If a participant’s personal property becomes a distraction, direct access to the item(s) may be limited and the property returned to a parent or guardian at the end of the program day. Carnegie Museums is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.

Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

Parking

Enter the museum parking lot at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and South Craig Street. You will be directed to the designated drop-off or pick-up area. Please take a ticket from the parking kiosk; there is a grace period for camp drop-off and pick-up where parking is free up to one hour. Beyond that time period, standard parking rates apply in full. Please note the parking kiosks do not accept cash.

Sign-In/Sign-Out

Parents/guardians must sign campers in and out every day. Campers ages 11–13 only may sign themselves in/out of camp if indicated on the Camper Safety Information form. Individuals other than a parent/guardian may pick up a camper only if they are listed on the Camper Safety Information form. Students enrolled in a high school Youth Art Studio Summer program are automatically self signed-in and out.

Anyone picking up a camper will be asked to present identification every day, without exception. Appropriate forms of identification with photos include driver’s license, passport, or work ID with full name.

Half-day Camps

Sign-in: 8:45–9:15 a.m.
Sign-out: 11:30 a.m.

Full-day Camps including Hi-Fives!

Sign-in: 8:45–9:15 a.m.
Sign-out: 3 p.m.

Registering adults will receive e-mail communication in advance of each camp experience outlining what they should expect for sign-in/sign-out during their camp.

Late Pick-up Policy

Full-day campers ages 6-13 who have not been picked up by 15 minutes after scheduled sign-out will be enrolled in post-camp. Parent/guardian will be charged the full weekly post-camp fee of $120 per child and may utilize post-camp care for the remainder of the week. Post-camp is not available for children under age 6. Half-day and Hi-Fives! campers will be charged $20 for every 15 minutes late.

Program Registration will reach out as soon as possible to complete payment of all late pick-up fees or post-camp care fees. These fees must be paid within three business days. If payment of late pick-up fees or post-camp care fees is not received within three business days, you will receive an invoice with an additional $15 late fee.

You may call program registration at 412-622-3288 or e-mail programregistration@carnegiemuseums.org with questions or to submit payment.

Please see the Programs Permission Form for complete information about late fees and procedures.

Pre- and Post-Camp Care

Pre- and post-camp care are available for children 6–13. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Registration is for the entire week; care is not available on a day-to-day basis. Campers must be picked up from post-camp by 5:30 p.m. or the late pick-up fee ($20 for every 15 minutes late) will be charged. Campers must be signed into pre-camp and signed out of post-camp each day. A light snack is provided in post-camp, but parents may also send extra snacks and drinks for registered campers.

Times

Pre-camp: 7:30–9 a.m.
Post-camp: 3–5:30 p.m.

Fees*

Pre-camp: $40/week
Post-camp: $120/week

Accessibility: Features For All

Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History welcome all visitors. We work to assist visitors with disabilities in obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations, and in supporting equal access to our websites, services, programs, and activities. Please note that requests for accommodations at our museums should be made at least two weeks prior to your visit. For specific questions about wheelchairs, strollers, or other programmatic or equipment needs, see Visitor Services at the museum information desk or e-mail visitorservices@carnegiemuseums.org, or call (412) 622-3131. The four Carnegie Museums are committed to keeping their websites compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. We welcome any feedback on how to improve our sites’ accessibility for all users, and we strive to develop websites that are accessible to all.