Dragon’s Den Summer Camps 2023
Dragon’s Den is thrilled to offer a wide array of summer camps, and day camp options for 2023! All of our camps will incorporate lots of outdoor activities, as well as our indoor challenge course and rock wall! Each camp will also include an adventurous field trip, such as kayaking, fishing, hiking, or biking, and campers will be provided breakfast, lunch, and a snack every day. Campers will spend plenty of time enjoying the sunshine in our courtyard and in the beautiful park across the street.
Camps are held Monday-Friday, 9:00-4:00. Before and after care are available for $15/hour (8:30-9:00 and 4:00-4:30, respectively).
Partial and full scholarships are available.
Campers will be split into groups based on their age or grade.
Dragon’s Lab
June 26 – June 30
Ages 7-13
Do you have a scientist at home? Register them for the Dragon’s Den Laboratory, a week full of science labs that are kid-friendly! We will focus on physics and chemistry with experiments such as elephant toothpaste and creating a rube goldberg machine. Our team of scientists will lead kids in building their own zip line, making their own ice-cream, and cooking with the sun. This week’s field trip will be a hiking trip in one of the beautiful local parks!*
*Field trips are subject to change.
Days of Imagination
July 3, 5, 6, 7
Ages 7-13
For this week only, you can choose to book for the whole week or a select day or days of your choosing! Enroll for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days. Dress up every day! Monday is pirate day, Wednesday is superhero day, Thursday is medieval fantasy day (you can dress like a dragon), and Friday is beach day This is a week for kids to experience the best parts of our camps, including science experiments, team building games, the challenge course, and lots of fun outdoors! You can book any day Monday-Thursday for $70 and Friday for $85. This week’s field trip will include Geocaching!*
*Field trips are subject to change.
Outdoor – En Plein Air
July 10 – July 14
Ages 7-13
Feeling cooped up? Eager to get out of the house? We are too! Sure, art is for canvases and paper but we believe art should happen everywhere! Register your child for the En Plein Air Art camp so they can experience rock painting, pottery in the open air, the art of horticulture, and learn how to paint using natural materials. Kids will travel through both the Dragon’s Den ropes course and through nature while developing pieces of art they will keep forever. This week’s field trip will include kayaking and fishing!*
*Field trips are subject to change.
Outdoor Explorers & Survival
July 17 – July 21
Ages 7-13
Venture into the outdoors where you will learn how to protect yourself from the elements, bandage wounds, and learn about different insects. Kids will identify natural hazards, build fires, shelters, and learn the essentials of backpacking.
*Field trips are subject to change.
Strong Dragon’s Soar
July 24 – July 28
Ages 7-13
Ready to move those legs after months of school? Let our little dragons fly through Strong Dragon’s Soar camp. This camp takes the kiddos through exercises to build physical, mental, and emotional fitness! From basketball to bike rides to, of course, treks through our thrilling challenge course, Strong Dragon’s Soar is the place for you! Campers can expect an invigorating week of team sports, track & field events, and nutrition. All equipment, including bicycles, will be provided. This week’s field trip will be a bicycling trip along the Greater Allegheny Passage trail!*
*Field trips are subject to change.
Fantasy Week
July 31 – August 4
Ages 7-13
Huzzah! Pick up your sword, wand and magic potion and prepare for a week-long quest full of fantasy and imagination! We will act out our favorite fictional characters including dragons, royalty, pirates, wizards, and more. Walk the planks of the challenge course, create your own pirate flag and parrot, search for treasure, and conquer the mighty waters of the Three Rivers! This week’s field trip will include kayaking and fishing!*
*Field trips are subject to change.
 |
Summer Camp FAQs
What are your summer camp hours?
Full day camps run from 9:30am-4pm Monday through Friday with lunch break from 12:15-1:15pm. Before and after camp care (8:30-9:30 and 4:00-5:00, respectively) is also available if needed for an additional $15/hour, please contact us directly to make arrangements.
How old does my child need to be to attend Dragon’s Den camp?
All of our camps are designed for ages 7-13, and campers are broken into groups based on their age or grade. When appropriate, camp groups will have the opportunity to interact with one another.
Who can attend Dragon’s Den summer camps?
Dragon’s Den camps are open to everyone—regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, and basis of disability. Everyone is welcome.
Kids must meet the age requirements above to attend.
When does registration close?
Registration will close one week before the start of each camp.
Can I request that my child be grouped with a friend?
If you would like your child grouped with a friend, please email contact@dragonsdenpgh at least two weeks before the start of the session. Requests cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to honor mutual requests
How can I work at camp?
We think camp is the best summer job! Check out our job descriptions here (link to Jobs page), or email jobs@dragonsdenpgh.org for more information.
Will kids get to go on the challenge course during the summer camps?
Of course! We will incorporate the challenge course into all of our summer camps, and all of the participants will get a chance to try out the ropes course, the climbing wall, and the zip line!
Will lunch be provided?
Yes, nutritious lunches and snacks will be provided every day. Kids are welcome to be sent with their own bag lunch if desired. Dragon’s Den is a nut-free facility, and we ask that you take that into consideration if your child is bringing a lunch.
The indoor challenge course sounds great, but will kids get a chance to be outside for these summer camps?
Yes, they will! What’s summer if you can’t be outside? Our church space has an outdoor courtyard and there is a beautiful Homestead park across the street, both of which will be used frequently during our camps. We will also be partnering with Venture Outdoors to provide an outdoor adventure at least one day every week of camps. And if you can’t get enough of the outdoors, our Outdoor Explorers camp is the perfect fit for you!
What is the cancellation & refund policy?
All cancellations or any changes to camp reservations must be made by May 31st. Prior to May 31st, all cancellations will receive a full refund minus a $40 reservation fee per camp. No refunds will be issued for any cancellations made after May 31st.
Dragon’s Den reserves the right to cancel any summer camp programming due to unforeseen circumstances. In such an event, registrants will have the ability to choose another camp, pending availability, or receive a full refund. Any such cancellations will be announced via email at least two weeks before the start of that camp.
What COVID-19 precautions will be taken during the summer camps?
Dragon’s Den takes the global pandemic very seriously, and we will continue to be very cautious as we all move towards a more open world. Masks will be required for everyone inside the building during the summer camps. Every effort will be made not to congregate in smaller indoor spaces and, in fact, we will spend as much time outdoors as the programming and weather allow. More information on what the Dragon’s Den is doing can be found by clicking the “COVID-19” tab above. Precautionary measures are subject to change based on guidance from local and federal health departments.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Need-based scholarships for camp tuition are available, based on a family’s ability to pay. Please email contact@dragonsdenpgh.org, with Summer Camp Scholarship in the subject line.
What do we need to do before coming to camp?
Before camp begins, the Summer Camp paperwork packet must be completed, including the Dragon’s Den Summer Camp and Challenge Course waivers and the Venture Outdoors waiver for field trips.
If you have any specific concerns about starting Camp or would like to share information with our team to help make your camper’s summer successful, please contact us, by email or at (412) 461-3336. The more we know about the medical and social-emotional wellness of your camper in advance, the better we will be able to support them during the summer.
What should I do if I have more questions?
We are ALWAYS happy to answer any questions you might have. Please call us at (412) 461-3336 or email us at contact@dragonsdenpgh.org and put “Summer Camps” in the subject line.
