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Powdermill Nature Reserve Camp Procedures

  • Campers must be the appropriate age on the date the selected camp begins.
  • Children who turn 6 after July 20, 2026 are too young for Powdermill Summer 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

Your camper will be participating in a range of indoor and outdoor activities that may include paint, markers, glue, mud, grass, water, and other fun items. Please dress your camper accordingly. Campers spend most of the day outside, rain or shine, and camp activities include hikes through forests, streams, and meadows.

Each child is provided a cubby for personal items. Please be sure to label all items clearly. Items campers might store include a change of clothes and shoes in case they get wet, a rain slicker, sweater or light jacket, and insect repellent.

Camp includes an investigation of a stream called Powdermill Run. The water level is low, and no swimming is necessary. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes with, at least, a heel strap are required in the stream. Children may wear bathing suits under their camp clothes. Send a complete change of clothes and a towel for stream day. You will be notified in advance of stream day when it will take place.

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 some 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 must bring a packed lunch and drink each day. Refrigeration and microwaves are not available. Campers should bring their own refillable water bottles marked with their names. Snack time is not provided, and 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

Powdermill Summer Camps do not provide or permit snacks.

Food Allergies

Please list your child’s food allergies on the Carnegie Institute Programs Permission Form, including any accommodations your child may require because of the allergy. Special seating areas during lunch will be provided for campers with allergies. Campers will wash their hands before and after lunch.

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

Please leave toys, electronic games, music players, cell phones, cameras, etc. at home. These items may be a distraction to camp, and we do not have a secure location to store valuable items. If personal items do become a distraction, camp staff will confiscate the property and return it to a parent/guardian at the end of the day. Powdermill is not responsible for lost items.

Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

The reserve is located in Rector, PA, 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Parents or guardians must provide transportation. Summer camps take place at the nature center. Signs will be posted to direct you to the registration site. View the Nature Center on Google Maps.

Parking

Free parking is available in the gravel and paved lots around the Nature Center.

Sign-In/Sign-Out Procedure

Anyone picking up a camper will be asked to present identification every day. Appropriate forms of identification with photos include driver’s license, passport, or work ID with full name.

Anyone picking up a camper will be asked to present identification every day.

Sign-in: 8:45–9 a.m.
Sign-out: 3 p.m.

Late Pick-up Policy

A late fee of $20 applies for each 15-minute period past the designated pick-up time, beginning at 3 p.m.

Program Registration will reach out as soon as possible to complete payment of all late pick-up 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.

Post-camp is not available at Powdermill Summer Camps.

You may call Program Registration at 412.622.3288 or e-mail programregistration@carnegiemuseums.org with questions or to submit payment.

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.