Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History

A child who turns 11 on or before July 31, 2012, may request camps for ages 11–13 all summer.
A child who turns 6 on or after August 1, 2012 may request camps for ages 4–5 all summer.
A child who turns 4 on or after August 1, 2012, may only request camps for ages 4–5 that begin after August 1.

2. Why do you use ages, rather than grade levels, to determine eligibility for camp?

As a non-school institution with year-round programs, age is the most appropriate way for us to plan programs. All of our activities are student-centered, designed to appeal to a range of abilities and prior knowledge. Safety guidelines for use of art and science tools are developed in an age-appropriate manner, so adherence to camp age brackets is also an important safety consideration.

3. Are your teachers qualified?

Yes, experienced educators with all necessary clearances teach all of our camps.

4. How many teachers do you have per camp?

Student/teacher ratio varies based on age of campers and complexity of activities in each camp. Camps average about 8–10 children per instructor. Additionally, adult, teen, and college-aged teaching assistants help out at each camp.

5. What should my child bring for a camp at the Museums of Art and Natural History?

All materials are provided unless otherwise specified. Information for specific camps is included in your confirmation packet.
Campers participate in a range of indoor and outdoor activities that may involve paint, markers, glue, mud, grass, and other fun items. Please dress your camper accordingly.
Galleries and classrooms are air conditioned and may be chilly, so a sweatshirt or sweater is recommended.
Sturdy shoes are a must. Flip-flops, sandals, and Crocs are not permitted.

6. What should my child bring for a camp at Powdermill Nature Reserve?

Each child is assigned a cubby for personal items. Please be sure to label all items clearly. Items you might store in your child's cubby include a change of clothes and shoes in case we get wet, a rain slicker, sweater or light jacket, insect repellent, and bottle of water (preferably refillable).
We will decorate our own camp t-shirts during the week, so please provide a plain white t-shirt on Monday, labeled with your child's name.
We spend most of the day outside, rain or shine, and camp activities include hikes through forests and meadows. Sturdy shoes and sunscreen are a must. Flip-flops, sandals, and Crocs are not permitted.
Camp includes an investigation of Powdermill Run stream. The water level is low and no swimming is required. Children may wear bathing suits, but please provide a pair of shorts for girls and a t-shirt for boys. Send a complete change of clothes for stream day, including sturdy shoes.

7. What’s your security like?

Security is a major priority. Parents/guardians must sign children in and out at drop-off and pick-up. No child is released without the signature of an authorized person; ID is required. If an injury or other emergency occurs, the emergency contact specified on the registration form will be contacted. Parents/guardians must park their vehicles and enter the building to sign children in and out. Summer camps at Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History work closely with Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh security professionals to ensure that our policies, procedures, and practices promote the safety of campers, museum visitors, exhibits, and collections at all times.

8. May I attend camp with my child?

Parents and guardians are welcome to observe camp programs. However, our goal is for campers to participate in activities independently and with their peers. If you have concerns about your camper’s level of comfort or independence, please indicate your concerns at the time of registration and our staff will contact you to discuss your camper’s needs. Parents and guardians are invited to enjoy the museum for free while their children attend camp; regular parking rates apply beyond the 60-minute drop-off/pick-up period. At Powdermill, the trails and nature center exhibitions as well as parking are always free.

9. Do the kids get to go outside?

Most full-day camps combine structured indoor and outdoor activities with supervised free time. A detailed list of outdoor activities is provided on the first day of camp. Half-day camps may not include outdoor activities.

10. Do you provide transportation or bus passes to camps?

No travel to or from camp is provided by the museums. Parents/guardians are responsible for drop-off and pick-up during scheduled periods. Camps held at Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History may include field trips to Carnegie Mellon University, Fallingwater, and Powdermill Nature Reserve; transportation for these trips is included in the camp fee. There is no public transportation between Carnegie Museums and Powdermill.

11. If my child needs medication, can camp staff administer it?

Museum staff are not permitted to hold, carry, or dispense medications, nor are campers allowed to hold medications or self-medicate. If medication must be taken during camp hours, arrangements must be made for an adult to bring and dispense medication to the camper. The following exception can be made for campers with EpiPen prescription medication:

Children with a prescription for epinephrine in the form of an EpiPen are permitted to bring and use their EpiPen on themselves in the event of an emergency. If the child cannot administer the medication to him or herself, emergency medical services will be contacted (911). Please note: Staff with first aid training are ONLY permitted to administer EpiPen medication to campers if directed to do so by a 911 responder.
Museum staff are not permitted to store or carry EpiPens for campers. Parents/guardians of campers bringing EpiPens to camp must attach a letter to the medical form indicating that the child has an EpiPen, where the EpiPen is located (e.g., backpack, lunch box, etc.), and that the child has permission to use the EpiPen.
Parents/guardians are notified immediately if their child faces an emergency and uses his or her EpiPen.

12. Does your camp accommodate special needs?

Most camps can accommodate children with special needs. Interpreters and guides can be provided for deaf and blind children. Free participation is provided to TSS/aides for autistic and physically or behaviorally challenged children. Please contact us to discuss your child's needs.

13. Do you provide snacks?

Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
Snacks are provided for half-day camps (ages 4–5) and post-care ONLY. Snacks are NOT provided for full-day camps or pre-care. You may send snacks from home for post-care.
Powdermill Nature Reserve
No snacks are provided. Pre-care and post-care are not available.

14. Do you provide lunch? Do the kids have recess?

Parents/guardians are not permitted to sign out campers for lunch. Refrigeration of lunches is not available.

Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
- Ages 4–5 attend half-day camps with no recess. A snack and lunch are provided.
- Ages 6–13 attend full-day camps with a half-hour lunch and half-hour recess. Children must provide their own lunch. Refrigeration is not available. No snack is provided.
- Campers eat as a group in the Brown Bag Lunchroom. Access to vending machines is limited, and the museum cannot be responsible for money lost in the vending machines.
Powdermill Nature Reserve
- Pack a hearty lunch—the kids work hard all day! We encourage recycling, so recyclable or reusable containers are appreciated.
- No snack is provided.
- Weather permitting, children eat lunch outside on picnic tables, under shade trees, or on the grass lawn. Children have 15–20 minutes of recess after lunch.

15. How do you handle food distribution for children with food allergies?

Please list your child's food allergies on the medical form provided in the confirmation packet, including any special accommodations your child may require because of the allergy. The following accommodations are provided for campers with food allergies if specifically noted on the medical form.

Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
- Special seating areas in the allergen-free zone of the lunch room are provided for campers with allergies.
- Tabletops are sanitized prior to each lunch seating to minimize the possibility that the camper will come in contact with residue from previous lunch periods.
- Snacks and camp activities are carefully chosen to accommodate as many special needs as possible.
Powdermill Nature Reserve
- Children with food allergies are seated in a different outside location. Campers are grouped so as not to isolate any children.

Images: Child waving—Jillian M. Gallagher; flower painting, children at diorama—Josh Franzos