It’s time to start planning an exciting and inclusive summer for 2026!
Make the Most of Summer 2026
Union O&P is excited to present our 2026 Summer Guide to Greater Pittsburgh Adaptive Events & Community Resources—a thoughtfully curated collection of adaptive camps, programs, and activities across Pittsburgh and the surrounding western Pennsylvania region. Use this this guide as your go-to resource for creating a memorable and empowering summer!
This guide is designed specifically for parents, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities who are looking to make the most of the summer season with fun, safe, accessible, and adaptive opportunities.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
- Our Spotlight summer activities, events and programs
- Adaptive sports and recreation opportunities
- Inclusive community events and activities
- Trusted local organizations and resources
We’ve updated and expanded our ever-growing list to help you discover new experiences and connect with organizations that are committed to accessibility and inclusion.
Spotlight Summer Activities, Events and Programs
Frick Environmental Center Trackchair Program
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Trackchair Program at Frick Park loans electric-powered, all-terrain wheelchairs to youth at least 5 years old and adults with limited mobility, free of charge.
Learn More
Three Rivers Adaptive Sports (TRAS)
Adaptive water sports clinic at Conneaut Lake
July 13 – July 16
This 4-day event will be an instructional clinic for children and adults with physical challenges at a beginner or intermediate level.
Learn More
Might Penguins Sled Hockey Club
Try Sled Hockey Day – Open to Ages 5–99!
July 18, 2026
Are you—or someone you know—living with a physical disability and interested in hockey? Have you always wanted to get on the ice but didn’t think it was possible? Now’s your chance! No prior experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm!
Learn More
Adaptive POGOH
Pittsburgh’s Adaptive Bike & Trike Rental Program
May 13 – October 28
Adaptive POGOH is an adaptive cycle-share program that supports POGOH’s mission to provide Pittsburgh with a joyful, sustainable, and affordable mobility service for all residents and visitors.
2026 Season Info and Reservations
Open Up
June Dance Party: An Open Up Fundraiser & Celebration
Friday, June 26 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Join Open Up for an unforgettable night of music, movement, celebration, and community at Field Day on Butler Street, directly across from our studio, as we celebrate Disability Pride Month, summer energy, and the power of creating spaces where everyone belongs.
Register Here
Always B Smiling
Miles for Smiles is a 5K walk/run
Sunday, July 26, 2026 (Rain or Shine)
Miles for Smiles is a 5K walk/run—but it’s not about pace or distance. It’s about showing up. It’s about families, friends, and supporters coming together to celebrate what makes this community so special. Always B Smiling is an organization located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh that provides inclusive support, resources, programs, and gathering spaces for families of children and young adults with disabilities.
Learn More
PNC Park Accessibility Guide
The Pittsburgh Pirates provide comprehensive ADA accessibility, including wheelchair seating throughout the stadium, accessible drop-off on Mazeroski Way, and first-come accessible parking. Guests can also access open-captioned scoreboards, assisted listening devices, and sensory accommodations for an inclusive experience. Let’s Go Bucs!
Learn More
Summer Activities and Camps
Camp STAR: Youth Summer Time Amputee and Limb Difference Retreat
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
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
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
The Woodlands
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
BalletStages II Summer Camp: Duquesne University
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
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
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
Venture Outdoors removes barriers and creates access to outdoor experiences. Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania is a community where people of all backgrounds and abilities can discover wellness and its benefits from engaging in thoughtful outdoor experiences.
Learn more about Venture Outdoors
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
ASCEND Adaptive Climbing
With the weather outside getting colder or hotter – Go inside and explore adaptive climbing with ASCEND Climbing. ASCEND provides accessible climbing for people of all abilities. While anyone is welcome to come to the facility at any time (including your service dog), They would be happy to schedule you with a staff member to make sure you get the most out of your visit to ASCEND. They also host adaptive community events! ASCEND has locations in Point Breeze, South Side and Erie.
Learn more about ASCEND
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
Casey’s Clubhouse | Baseball for kids with disabilities
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
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
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 Accessibility and Sensory-Friendly Programming
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Accessibility
Children’s Museum exhibits are designed to Universal Design standards, which take into account all people of diverse abilities. Products, services and environments that have been designed in this way are performance-based and address usability issues so they can be used by people of all ability levels to the fullest extent.
Learn more about Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Accessibility
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
Sensory Friendly and Accessible Theater
Pittsburgh Ballet Theater
Experience the joy of dance in a supportive theater setting all year long. Check PBT’s performance schedule for these special performances.
Learn more about PBT
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Heinz Hall is committed to making performances and facilities available to all patrons. Wheelchair Accessible Seating is available at all Heinz Hall shows. If a wheelchair location is desired, please notify the ticket service representative at the time of purchase. This will help us ensure that the fixed seat can be removed before you arrive at the theater. Doormen and ushers are available for assistance at every performance.
Learn more about Wheelchair Accessible Seating
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.
