Coed Kid Camps | The Ellis School

Coed Kid Camps for girls and boys ages 3 to 10 offer a summer of fun and learning for all.

Half-day camps for ages 3 to 5 allow children to go home for lunch and rest after a morning packed with engaging thematic activities. Full-day camps for ages 3 to 10 allow campers to double their time to explore and create with friends.

Half-day Camps (Ages 3–5)

Half-day camps provide a blend of exploration through free play and structured thematic activities. The half-day experience is optimal for packing in fun-filled activities each morning before campers head home for lunch and rest time with their families. Young campers will interact with boys and girls in the preschool age range while being taught and supervised by experienced early childhood professionals.

Half-day camp hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each day for all sessions.

Each half-day camp session costs $350 for the week—save $400 with our bulk discount rate when you sign up for all eight sessions! More information about discount pricing is available within the Ellis Summer Camp registration form.

Please note: All campers must be fully potty trained and must be 3 years old by June 1, 2021.

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Story Elements (June 14–18)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
June 14–18 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. $350

Become immersed in the creative storytelling process at camp! Campers will delve into drawing using different materials and creative mediums, dictate stories that their teachers will help them transfer into writing, and create an original story of their own by the end of the week. Campers will focus on the elements of a story: characters, setting, and storyline. Each group will formulate a simple story with basic illustrations.
Collaborative Storytelling (June 21–25)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
June 21–25 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. $350

Campers will explore the power of art and all it can mean. Campers will collaborate on a story using different 3D artistic techniques to enhance their illustrations. They will develop a complete story—with an introduction, problem, and resolution—by the end of week.
Nature Exploration (June 28–July 2)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
June 28–July 2 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. $350

Caring for our planet is essential. This week is jam-packed with outside time in nature and working on a simple garden project. Campers will explore the elements of reduce, reuse, recycle, and renew and learn more about the outdoors and the world around us. Campers will build and take home a handheld garden plant project.
Make It & Sustain It (July 5–9)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
July 5–9 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. $350

Campers will learn what it means to be sustainable through fun, interactive activities about our planet. Campers will create eco-friendly projects with recyclable materials and learn about how they can keep our planet healthy. Campers’ creations will be something they can use at home to demonstrate their commitment to helping planet Earth.

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STEAM Camp (July 12–16)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
July 12–16 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. $350

Campers will discover all science has to offer by learning about the scientific process, jobs in creative and scientific fields, and even have the chance to meet some real-life scientists! Each day, a different aspect of STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics—will be explored. All kids will take home a STEAM wheel at the end of the week.
Jobs in Science (July 19–23)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
July 19–23 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. $350

What is it really like to be a scientist? Campers will learn about an array of jobs in STEM fields while exploring different career paths, opening them up to a whole new world of possibilities when considering what they want to be when they grow up! Campers will learn about scientists, technology, and various real-world applications in the field of science. They also will explore basic forensics and mysteries. Help us solve a camp-wide mystery by Friday!
Famous Leaders (July 26–30)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
July 26–30 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. $350

Leaders are changemakers. Leaders are strong. Leaders are everywhere. Campers will learn about a different influential leader every day at camp. To end the week, they will create a project focused on a famous changemaker that inspires them.
I Am A Leader (August 2–6)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
August 2–6 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. $350

Campers are invited to join an expedition to develop their leadership skills at Ellis! Kids will focus on how they can be leaders in their everyday lives and learn problem-solving skills while building new friendships. Each camper will create a leadership project and have the opportunity to lead their group in an activity.

Full-day Camps (Ages 3–10)

Full-day camps provide a blend of exploration through free play and structured thematic activities. The full-day experience allows girls and boys to spend an entire day focusing on a plethora of different activities that relate to the overarching theme. Campers will try new activities daily in a safe environment while forging new friendships and sustaining old ones. All campers are taught and supervised by experienced educational professionals.

Full-day camp hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day for all sessions.

Each full-day camp session costs $450 for the week—save $500 with our bulk discount rate when you sign up for all eight sessions! More information about discount pricing is available within the Ellis Summer Camp registration form.

Please note: All campers must be fully potty trained and must be 3 years old by June 1, 2021.

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Your Story (June 14–18)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
June 14–18 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. $450

Campers will delve into the creative process by stretching their artistic and compositional muscles through storytelling. Campers will develop their own storyboards with the goal of creating a fully formed story complete with illustrations! They will explore the different elements of a story—characters, setting, plot, structure, and genre—and use their imagination to create an original masterpiece of their own. Each camp group will also contribute one short scene that will culminate in a camp-wide play at the end of the week.
Our Story (June 21–25)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
June 21–25 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. $450

Campers will work together to identify their creative strengths and collaborate on a story. Working with instructors, campers will learn different forms of written expression such as action/adventure, comic book, mystery, fiction, historical, fantasy, and short story. Campers will use different artistic techniques to enhance illustrations and develop a complete story by the end of week.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew (June 28–July 2)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
June 28–July 2 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. $450

Keeping Earth healthy and practicing eco-friendly habits doesn’t come with an age requirement! Campers will explore how they can reduce, reuse, recycle, and renew in their own lives each day at camp. Instructors will discuss the importance of nature as campers explore the outdoors and speak to the different ways kids can help keep their planet healthy.
Sustainable World (July 5–9)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
July 5–9 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. $450

In Sustainable World, campers will explore how they can reduce their footprint and implement eco-friendly choices. Together, they’ll learn about the diverse environments and ecosystems that surround us and create sustainable projects with recyclable materials to illustrate their concern for the planet. Campers will work in teams to develop a sense of community and learn that we’re all in this together!

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STEAM (July 12–16)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
July 12–16 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. $450

Delve into the wide world of science at STEAM camp! Campers will discuss STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) and identify parts of their life that match each letter. By the end of the week, all campers will create STEAM charts to take home and unearth their personal strengths within the scientific world. We may even get a visit from a real-life scientist!
Real-World Careers (July 19–23)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
July 19–23 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. $450

This week we will focus on scientists, technology, and various jobs in the field of science. Come with us and explore basic forensics and how scientists can help solve mysteries in the real world. Campers will be inspired by visits from real-life scientists and engineers, design and build their own structures while collaborating across age groups, and help solve a camp-wide mystery using the scientific method.
Super Leaders (July 26–30)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
July 26–30 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. $450

Leaders are changemakers. Leaders are strong. Leaders are everywhere. This week, campers will discover super leaders, a.k.a real-life superheroes, who are changing the world for the better. From Olympians to authors and astronauts, kids will learn about a famous leader each day and how they’re using their “superpowers” to make a difference.
Led By Me (August 2–6)

Dates Camp Hours Weekly Session Rate
August 2–6 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. $450

How can children be leaders in their everyday lives? Campers will explore this question as they work together on a project that gives every participant a chance to take charge and lead the group. By the end of the week, campers will leave with problem-solving skills and new friendships. We will collaborate camp-wide on Friday to lead an activity (indoors or outdoors) so each group has to work together as a leadership team.

Interested in registering for any of the camp sessions listed above?

Fill out this simple form to get started!

You'll receive an email with registration instructions shortly.

Before- and After-care

Before-care is free and available for campers of all ages every day! Drop-off begins at 8:15 a.m. after the instructors arrive on campus. Campers will not be admitted earlier than 8:15 a.m. Camp programming will officially begin every day at 9:00 a.m. sharp.

After-care is available for full-day families only. Families can pre-register and pay for after-care during online camp registration. After-care runs daily from 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. Campers will be provided a nut-free snack. Children with other food allergies are encouraged to pack extra snacks.

The daily rate for after-care is $35 per day per child. Sign up for the whole week at a reduced price of $150 per child during online registration.

Final dismissal is 5:45-6:00 p.m. After-care families arriving after 6:00 p.m. will incur an additional $25 late pick-up fee. Continued late pick-ups may also result in additional fees.

Last-minute drop-ins for after-care are also available. Drop-ins will be billed separately for $38 per student per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the camp operational hours?

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Ellis Summer Camp is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on days when camp is in session. Campers can be dropped off as early as 8:15 a.m. for before-care at no charge. Paid after-care is available from 3:15 to 5:45 p.m.

Q: Absences or transportation changes—what do I do?

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Please call 412-266-8238 or email Jenna Bowman, Director of Summer Programs, at bowmanj@theellisschool.org to alert the Ellis Summer Camp staff of any absences, vacations, or transportation changes that may arise. No refunds are given due to absences for any reason.

Camp Contact Information:
- The Ellis School main phone: 412-661-5992
- Jenna Bowman, Director of Summer Programs: 412-266-8238 or bowmanj@theellisschool.org

Q: How do I drop off and pick up my camper each day?

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- On the first day of camp, all campers need to be checked in by a parent or guardian at the Ellis entrance. Adults are not allowed inside school buildings.
- The front gate will be locked at all times to ensure the safety of our campers. You may check in with security at the gate at any time. Half-day campers can be picked up outside the Benjamin R. Fisher Gallery entrance at 12:00 p.m. Full-day campers can be picked up outside the Lower School entrance at 3:00 p.m.
- For after-care pick-up, come to the Benjamin R. Fisher Gallery entrance door and buzz the intercom with the receptionist between 3:15 and 5:45 p.m.

Q: Where is the camp located?

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All Coed Kid Camp programs take place on The Ellis School's campus, located in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Directions and a campus map can be found here.

Q: What should my child bring to camp each day?

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- Nut-free lunch—Ellis is a nut-free camp!
  - No microwave or fridge is available, so please plan your camper’s lunch accordingly.
- Nut-free snack for mid-morning break time
- Water bottle labeled with first and last name
  - We have refill stations for water bottles, but campers are not allowed to drink from water fountains this summer.
- Beach towel so we can sit in the grass and eat lunch outside
- If your camper(s) will stay for Extended Day, please pack an extra snack. A small nut-free snack will be provided daily after 3:00 p.m.
- Hat and sunscreen or sunglasses for outdoor play
  - Please help your camper apply sunscreen before they arrive at Ellis!
- For campers between the ages of 3 and 5, please pack an extra set of clothes (shirt, pants, socks, and underwear) in case of emergency.

Q: What is a typical day like at a half-day camp program?

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A Typical Day at Half-day Camp:
- Welcome (drop-off begins at 8:15 a.m.)
- Thematic activities
- Snack break
- Music and movement, visual arts, athletics, and/or STEM activities
- Wrap-up and free play
- Dismissal from 12:00–12:15 p.m.

Q: How do I register my kid(s) for camp (ages 3–10)?

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To register your child(ren) for any of the camps taking place on the Ellis campus during summer 2021, fill out this form to get started. You will receive an email with the link you will need to complete your registration process.

Registration is considered complete when payment has been received. Full payment is due by June 1, 2021.

Q: What medical forms are required to attend camp?

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- If your camper is a current Ellis student, we have her medical and immunization information on file. If any changes have arisen this year, please be sure to update your daughter’s Magnus profile before camp.
- If your camper is not a current Ellis student, you will need to complete the Summer Camp Health Form, which can be filled out online within the Ellis Summer Camp registration form. You will also need to provide a copy of your camper’s immunization form to our school nurse, Lynette MacLeod. Copies of the immunization form can be emailed to Lynette at macleodl@theellisschool.org or mailed to The Ellis School:
  The Ellis School, Attn: Lynette MacLeod, 6425 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
- Please note that we are prohibited by state law from allowing your camper to remain on campus without medical and immunization information.

Q: What is a typical day like at a full-day camp program?

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A Typical Day at Full-day Camp:

A.M.
- Welcome (drop-off is 8:15 a.m.)
- Thematic activities
- Snack break
- Thematic activities
- Lunch, mid-day games/recess, and free play
P.M.
- Music and movement, visual arts, athletics, and/or STEM activities
- Clean up
- Wrap-up and free play
- Dismissal from 3:00–3:15 p.m.
- After-care from 3:00–5:45 p.m.