PITTSBURGH HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Summer Camp — South Park Adventure: Geocaching, Rockets and Hikes for K–8
A focused five-day day camp (7/13–7/17) in South Park that mixes geocaching, team-building, rocket building, crafts and wildlife hikes; this guide explains the daily rhythm, what to pack, and key policies.
Summer Camp — South Park Adventure: Geocaching, Rockets and Hikes for K–8.
Unleash your child’s curiosity in South Park with days built around geocaching, team games, rocket building, camper crafts and guided hikes through park landscapes and wildlife habitat. The program is designed to combine outdoor exploration and hands-on creativity so campers move, make and learn in a supervised, play-first environment.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands-on Projects and Team Games
Camp days center on interactive activities—geocaching hunts, team-building games and rocket-building sessions—designed to engage Kindergarten through eighth-grade campers in collaboration and creative problem-solving.
Trails, Wildlife and Park Landscapes
Hikes around South Park let campers encounter the park’s varied landscapes and local wildlife while learning observation skills and low-impact outdoor practices.
Structured Flow: Games, Breaks and Group Time
Each day begins with name games and get-to-know-you activities, punctuated by sunscreen, water and bathroom breaks before and after morning and afternoon sessions; groups reconvene for a shared packed-lunch period and a final gathering before pickup.
What the day feels like
What a Day Feels Like
Campers arrive in the morning for group warm-ups and name games, then move into morning activities such as geocaching and crafts. Staff pause for sunscreen, hydration and bathroom breaks before the camp merges into a single group for lunch and table-time in shaded areas. Afternoon sessions resume with more hands-on projects and hikes; the day closes with a final regroup and pickup window in the late afternoon.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this camp suits and where it might not be ideal.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The camp runs 7/13–7/17. Drop-off is 8:45–9:15 AM; pickup is 3:30–4:00 PM. There is no aftercare this year.
Pack a backpack or day pack with lunch, snacks, a water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, an extra change of clothes and shoes, a raincoat, any medication, and optional sunglasses or a hat. Extra water and snacks are provided each day.
Parents will receive a Camper Wellbeing Paperwork Packet after registration to outline any special needs; accommodations are considered if they do not change the nature of activities and require a minimum two weeks’ notice.
Camp is not typically canceled for inclement weather; the schedule and activities may be revised and shelters or indoor options used for safety when needed.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What happens if we have bad weather?
Camp is not typically canceled due to inclement weather; staff revise activities and use safety shelters or indoor alternatives as needed to protect campers.
What is the cell phone or handheld electronics policy?
Campers are not allowed to use cell phones or handheld electronics during camp; devices must remain in backpacks and may be held by staff for the day if used after a warning, then returned to a parent at pickup.
Can you make accommodations for my child?
Parents should review the camp description and complete the Camper Wellbeing Paperwork Packet after registration; organizers will do their best to provide accommodations if they do not change the nature of activities and with at least two weeks’ notice.
Is aftercare available?
No. There will be no aftercare this year.
What happens if I pick my child up late?
A late pick-up fee of $1.00 per minute per child begins at 4:01 PM.
Can I switch my child to a different program week?
Changes may be accommodated if space is available; please request changes at least two weeks before camp start. A $25 administrative fee applies when switching programs.
Is financial assistance available?
Camperships may be available; families should complete the application on the summer camp webpage. Submitting an application does not guarantee a campership; contact [email protected] or 412-255-0564 for questions.