It's time to start planning your 2025 adaptive summer camps, events and programs!

Union O & P has compiled a list of the best adaptive summer activities available in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas of western Pennsylvania. This guide is perfect for parents, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities who want to fill their summer days with fun and inclusive activities.

Pittsburgh Adaptive Summer Activities and Camps

Camp STAR: Youth Summertime Amputee and Limb Difference Retreat
Dates (2025): June 15 - 21
Camp STAR is a full-week getaway that provides campers, ages 8 through 18, with an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer Campground (near Zelienople, Pennsylvania). Since 1976, Camp STAR has been committed to empowering and supporting youth amputees to keep healthy confident and stay active.
Learn more about Camp STAR

Camp PARC
Dates (2025):  Adult Mini Session July 6 - 10 / Youth Mini Session July 13 - 16 / Adult Full Week Session July 20 - 26
Camp PARC, located in central-western Pennsylvania, is a volunteered-powered non-profit that provides an overnight summer camp program and year-round recreational and social activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their neurotypical peers.
Learn more about Camp PARC

Camp AIM: YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
Dates (2025): Two Sessions Available - June 16 through July 17.
Since 1968, Camp AIM has provided nearly 4,000 children and young adults who have physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and communication challenges with opportunities to Achieve, support to become Independent, and encouragement to become Motivated (AIM). This unique six-week summer program combines life skills, social and recreational activities with aquatics, physical education, home economics, music, and art.
Learn more about Camp AIM

Glade Run: Specialized Adventures Camp
Dates (2025)
Session 1: June 16th-June 27th 2025 (Monday - Friday 9a-3p)
Session 2: July 28th-August 8th 2025 (Monday - Friday 9a-3p)
Glade Run has evolved over the years to meet the changing and increasingly challenging needs of children, adults and families throughout Western Pennsylvania and beyond.
Learn more about Glade Run: Specialized Adventures Camp

The Woodlands
Dates (2025): Multiple camps and dates are happening throughout the summer.
The Woodlands is where children and adults with disability and chronic illnesses find the freedom and empowerment to experience programs that enrich lives. Fully accessible and barrier-free facilities open new doors to safe, inclusive, and engaging participant opportunities.
Learn more about The Woodlands

Stages II Summer Camp: Duquesne University
Dates (2025): July 21-25
A summer camp, specifically for youth with disabilities. During this summer camp, you will have fun developing skills to act, communicate and improve both self-esteem and confidence. You will also get to play the part of a healthcare provider and learn self-advocacy as a patient.
Learn more about Stages II Summer Camp

Three Rivers Adaptive Sports (TRAS)
Dates (2025): Events and programs happening all summer long, featuring:

• 2025 Three Rivers Adaptive Sports Water Sports Clinic - July 14 -17.

• Adaptive Bowling

Since 1989 TRAS has supported the belief that sports, recreation, and physical fitness are an integral and important part of everyone's life.
Learn more about Three Rivers Adaptive Sports

POGOH - Pittsburgh’s Adaptive Bike Rental Program
Dates (2025): May 8 - October 31
Adaptive POGOH broadens access to cycling for people with a wide range of mobility needs. POGOH is operated by Bike Share Pittsburgh Inc.
Learn more about POGOH

Pittsburgh Adaptive Sports Network (Facebook)
Dates (2025): Events and programs happening all-summer long.
Providing an outlet to learn, share, and grow together to have an even greater impact on the community.  Programs include opportunities for exercise, sports training, health information and wellness techniques.
Learn more about Pittsburgh Adaptive Sports Network

TRY Special Needs - Annual TRY Day Camp
Dates (2025): Events and programs happening all-summer long.
TRY is a special needs non-profit organization. Its mission is to provide therapeutic recreational programs to mentally and/or physically handicapped youth and adults. A second focus is being an important network to the families, primarily parents, of individuals with handicaps. These families receive information and referrals, as well as emotional support from the organization.
Learn more about TRY Special Needs camps and events

Hope Grows
Dates (2025): Events and programs happening all summer long
Hope Grows’ mission is to inspire hope through nature. They invite caregivers to experience a one-of-a-kind approach to wellness.
Learn more about Hope Grows

Venture Outdoors Summer Camps
Dates (2025): Events and programs happening all summer long
North Park & South Park
Week-long and three-day summer camps for rising grades K - 12
All camps run 9am - 4pm
Special Accommodations
Learn more about Venture Outdoors Summer Camps

Union O & P Amputee Appreciation Picnic
Date: May 18, 2025 - 11AM to 2PM
Join Union O & P for our Amputee Appreciation Picnic at North Park.  Free and open to all Union O & P amputee patients and guests.
If interested, please email Kathryn Painter
 

Pittsburgh Adaptive / Inclusive Parks and Playgrounds

The Children’s Institute Inclusive Playground
1405 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
The Inclusive Playground at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center is a community playground, designed so children of any ability and stage may play, explore and learn. Accessibility features include double-wide bridges, ramps, ADA swings, a wheelchair swing, ground-level elements, and smooth rubber surfacing. Located in Pittsburgh’s Friendship neighborhood at The Children’s Home, the inclusive playground is open to all.
Learn more about The Children’s Institute Inclusive Playground

Allegheny County Parks
Accessibility in the Parks
Allegheny County is committed to ensuring that everyone can explore and experience the natural beauty of the parks and have equal access to county programs, services, and activities. The list of accessible features and trails within the Allegheny County Parks System will expand as Allegheny County continues to enhance accessibility within the parks.  
Learn more about Allegheny County Accessibility in the Parks

Pittsburgh Museums and Libraries Sensory-Friendly Programming

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Sensory-Friendly Afternoons
Children and families with autism spectrum disorders and sensory sensitivities can enjoy a fun, friendly experience in a comfortable and accepting environment. Lights and sounds in spaces throughout the museum are adjusted and designated Quiet Areas offer spaces to take a break. Sensory Kits with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, an assortment of fidgets, and other items are available. Sensory Friendly afternoons take place on the second Tuesday of every month from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Regular admission rates apply.
Learn more about Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Sensory-Friendly Afternoons

Carnegie Science Center - Sensory Sensitive Science Hours
Sensory Sensitive Science Hours are held on select Sunday mornings. Exhibit lights and sound effects are adjusted and special hands-on activities are added to foster a safe, welcoming, and most of all, fun, environment for all visitors. Whenever possible, low-sensory versions of shows and demonstrations are hosted by Buhl Planetarium, Demonstration Theaters, or other departments. Early entry is also offered on these days, to provide reduced wait times and a calmer entry experience. A Quiet Space is available during Sensory Sensitive events for visitors who need to take a break.
Learn more about Carnegie Science Center - Sensory Sensitive Science Hours

Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Families with members who have sensory processing needs are invited to explore the museum galleries with reduced audio and visual elements. Calming spaces with support materials (including single use ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys, etc.) will be available. Museum experts will be on-hand to talk for as little (or as long) as you want about dinosaurs, rocks, gems, animals, bugs, and much more. Check the museum's website for dates and times.
Learn more about Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh seeks to provide meaningful, seamless experiences to all community members through welcoming, accessible spaces, materials in a variety of formats that are easy to discover and use, high-quality programming, and technologies designed to meet customer needs. If you would like to attend a program or event at any of our locations and need accommodation—or have general questions regarding accessibility at CLP—please contact the Library’s Coordinator of Accessibility, Equity & Belonging by phone (412-622-1390) 
Learn more about Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Adaptive Community Organizations and Sports Programs

Pittsburgh Steel Wheelers
Pittsburgh Steelwheelers, Inc. provides programs for physically challenged athletes from Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and Northern West Virginia, who desire to participate in competitive sports such as Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Basketball, and Handcycling. It provides an opportunity for persons with disabilities to achieve the sense of well-being and fulfillment that the players once enjoyed prior to their injuries.
Learn more about Pittsburgh Steel Wheelers

Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey
The Mighty Penguins Organization aims to provide an inclusive, fun, safe environment for all who wish to play sled hockey. In order to ensure the safest and most productive experience for all, players are grouped into one of six teams: Youth Novice, Junior Gold, Junior Black, Adult Gold, Adult Black, and Senior.
Learn more about the Mighty Penguins

Casey’s Clubhouse
Casey’s Clubhouse of the South Hills is rooted in baseball but offers much more, creating a welcoming space where individuals with disabilities can connect and grow. Through our programs, we provide inclusive opportunities that extend beyond the field, fostering relationships and building a stronger, more supportive community.
Learn more about Casey's Clubhouse

The Miracle League
The Miracle League is carrying on the mission statement: “Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play Baseball.” Bringing the game of baseball to children who may have never had the opportunity to play on a real adaptive field.
The Miracle League - Southwestern PA
The Miracle League - Western PA
The Miracle League - Indiana County
The Miracle League - South Hills
The Miracle League - Ohio Valley - CALL 1-304-242-1390

Three Rivers Rowing Association Adaptive/Para-Rowing
Three Rivers Rowing Adaptive Programs offer athletes age 12+ with disabilities the chance to enjoy the sport of rowing. The program rows out of Washington’s Landing on the Allegheny River. The program’s close proximity to downtown allows participants and volunteers the opportunity to explore the revitalized waterways and shoreline of our beautiful city. No prior experience is necessary!
Learn more about Three Rivers Rowing Association Adaptive/Para-Rowing

PAWest TOPSoccer
TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs. The TOPSoccer program is designed and administered by US Youth Soccer and its volunteer TOPSoccer committee provides meaningful learning, development, and physical participation opportunities to these young athletes through the game of soccer.
Learn more about PAWest TOPSoccer

Pittsburgh Curling Club - Wheelchair Curling
The Pittsburgh Curling Club was established in 2002 to help bring the exciting sport of curling to southwestern Pennsylvania. Their dedicated curling facility is ADA-compliant with easy access to the ice and an elevated warm room for great viewing. When they first started thinking about building their dedicated curling facility, they knew that they wanted to make sure it was accessible to all.  Wheelchair curling is a unique sport that can be played by a wide range of ability levels and ages. Unlike many traditional adapted sports that require a substantial amount of physical ability, strength, and endurance, wheelchair curling is a stationary sport that requires less physical exertion. All that is needed is the coordination to exert a measured pushing force, and a tolerance for cold. 
Learn more about Pittsburgh Curling Club - Wheelchair Curling

Mainstay Life Services
Mainstay Life Services offers a variety of ideal living arrangements based on the desires and abilities of the people in need of our support. Whether they remain at home with their families, live with host families, or venture out on their own to experience greater independence, MLS provides the perfect setting and necessary services to support their wishes.
Learn more about Mainstay Life Services

Open Up
Open Up's mission is to teach mindfulness tools through movement practices and interactive arts while centering people living with disabilities. Their programs include inclusive, engaging, enjoyable activities - such as yoga, movement, breath work, dance, games, and more. They want all people to be able to have ease of access in finding avenues for increasing their sense of overall well-being. They believe that all people should be able to experience joy in community with others.
Learn more about Open Up

About Union O & P
Union Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. is a family-owned and operated company with over 100 years of service in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We have always been dedicated to providing the highest quality of patient care with a professional and compassionate approach. Our services and techniques are continuously being upgraded to achieve the highest standard of excellence.

Locations
Union Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. and De La Torre Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. now offer 19 locations throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Services may vary by location.