Summer Activities and Camps

Camp STAR: Youth Summer Time Amputee and Limb Difference Retreat
Dates: June 18 - 24, 2023
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 (2023): July 9 - 13 Adult Mini Camp; July 16 - 19 Youth Mini Camp; July 23 - 29 Adult Full Camp
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: June 19 - July 20, 2023
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: June 19 - 30 & July 31 - August 11, 2023
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: Multiple camps and dates happening throughout the summer
The Woodlands is where children and adults with disability and chronic illness 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: July 3 - 7, 2023
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: Events and programs happening all-summer long
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

Pittsburgh Adaptive Sports Network (Facebook)
Dates: 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: July 24 - 28, 2023
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

Creative Citizen Studios (CCS)
Dates: Events and programs happening all-summer long
Creative Citizen Studios (CCS) uses art to bring people of all abilities together.  They work with artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities to make, exhibit, and sell their work.  Their weekly art classes, workshops, and exhibit opportunities help promote our artists while connecting them with a larger community of artists. CCS Is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with Citizen-artists featured in local, regional, and national art shows and exhibit spaces.
Learn more about Creative Citizen Studios (CCS)

Hidden Hill Horse Farm
Dates: Events and programs happening all-summer long
The mission of Hidden Hill Horse Farm is to promote safety and aid in individuals overcoming their physical, cognitive, behavioral, mental, and emotional challenges. They strive to help everyone find strength and independence through the power of the horse.
Learn more about Hidden Hill Horse Farm

Hope Grows
Dates: 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 Tri-Anglers – Free Lunch Time Fishing
Happening each Wednesday in the summer months in downtown Pittsburgh. They provide the rods, bait, and instruction on this relaxed lunch time fishing trip. Stop by anytime between 11:30am – 1:30pm. Anglers catch all sorts of fish along the Allegheny River – bass, carp, catfish, and more! No prior fishing experience needed and great activity for all ages. Tri-Anglers has adaptive fishing gear that can be used upon request, including rod holders for chairs/wheelchairs and wrist supports. 
Learn more about Tri-Anglers

Union O & P Amputee Appreciation Picnic
Date: June 4, 2023 - 1PM to 3PM
Join Union O & P for our Amputee Appreciation Picnic at North Park.  Open to all Union O & P amputee patients and guests.
If interested, please email Kathryn Painter

Union O & P Fall Adaptive Fishing Classic
Date: Sept 17, 2023
Join Union O & P for our Adaptive Fishing Classic at Allegheny River Trail Park in Aspinwall, PA.  Open to all Union O & P amputee patients and guests.
If interested, please email Kathryn Painter
 

Inclusive 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

The Miracle League of South Hills Clubhouse Playground
The Clubhouse is an inclusive, wheelchair-accessible play environment that brings kids together.  The playground is truly one-of-a-kind in the country and made for all kids big and small! Come out, watch a Miracle League game, enjoy the playground, and experience the joyous atmosphere!
The Miracle League - Southwestern PA
 

Community Organizations and Programs
(non-summer specific)

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

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