THE ELLIS SCHOOL

2026 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
 
Click the link below to start your 2026 Changemakers Camps registration at Ellis. We can't wait to see you!
 
Join us here!

*Save $30 per Camp: Register by February 14 and use code LoveSummer26! for Changemakers Camps.

The world is changing—girls can help shape it.

Changemakers Camps welcome girls entering grades 5–9 from The Ellis School and the greater Pittsburgh community to explore, create, and innovate through hands-on, real-world projects. From ceramics and textiles to engineering and design, campers roll up their sleeves, think creatively, and collaborate to make a difference—all in a fun, inclusive, and supportive summer environment. We’re excited to welcome both Ellis and non-Ellis families to be part of this vibrant community of changemakers.

How It Works

Changemakers Camps are offered in six unique sessions throughout the summer, each running Monday–Friday for one week. Campers commit to all days of a session but can register for as many sessions as they like. Each camp combines three core elements that guide girls through collaborative, hands-on projects.

List of 3 items.

  • Changemaking

    Changemaking is the process of working to improve the environment around you through collaboration, communication, and connection.

    This element will address four essential questions: What and who is a changemaker? When does change need to happen and why? What kind of change is possible? How do we create change together?

  • Projects

    Each camp is project-focused with a variation of tangible results. Each project will challenge participants to utilize the steps of the design-thinking process as they work together to come up with an innovative real-world solution: research and exploration; reflection and processing; planning and design; implementation; closing reflection and sharing.

  • Exploration

    Changemakers Camps build upon a foundation of exploration and curiosity.  Participants will begin by looking inward to identify their unique passions, skills, and values and then shift their focus to determine how they contribute to the larger group and community.

    Through thoughtful observation, critical thinking, and engaged learning, participants will gain confidence in their own skills while also building friendships through shared goals.

Why Mixed Ages: Mentorship Matters

Role models and mentors help support girls as they shift their perceptions about leadership and tap into their potential as leaders. Changemakers Camps intentionally brings together teams of mixed-age girls to collaborate within an environment representative of the diversity of experiences, skills, abilities, and perspectives. This mixed age group is meant to provide younger girls with an opportunity to learn alongside teen girls who model what female leadership can look like. When girls have models of success, they thrive.

2026 Offered Changemaker Camps

June Camps

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  • Your Art, Your Story

    Dates: June 8–12 | Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Cost: $450
    Instructor: Lisa Zhou, Ellis Visual Arts Teacher
    Dive into a week of artistic discovery! Each day introduces a new medium to explore self-expression, identity, and imagination. Campers will build skills, reflect on their unique style, and showcase their work in a camper-curated exhibition. Includes an off-site excursion to see local artists in action. No previous art experience required—just curiosity and a love for making.

    Evening exhibition on the last day.

  • Wheel Throwing: Ceramics in Motion

    Dates: June 8–12 | Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Cost: $300
    Instructor: Christine Fashion, Ellis Art Teacher
    Take a spin on your own potter’s wheel in this small-group, hands-on ceramics camp. Campers learn to create functional and sculptural works of art, guided by individualized instruction. All clay and tools provided—just bring your messiest clothes! Finished pieces will be fired and ready for pickup by July 1.

    Limited spots—early registration recommended.

  • Clay Creations: Function and Nature

    Dates: June 15–18 | Time: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Cost: $275
    Instructor: Christine Fashion, Ellis Art Teacher
    Roll up your sleeves and explore hand-building techniques like pinch pots, coiling, and slab construction. Campers create nature-inspired pottery that’s both beautiful and functional, using scenes from the natural world for inspiration. Pieces will be fired and ready for pickup by July 1.

    Note: No camp on Friday, June 19.

  • Fiber Arts & Textile Makers Studio

    Dates: June 22–26 | Time: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Cost: $250
    Instructor: Christine Fashion, Ellis Art Teacher
    Discover the art of fiber and textiles! Campers design and create wearable and decorative pieces—bags, hats, bracelets, and more—using techniques like embroidery, weaving, macramé, and hand sewing. Each project highlights personal style and creativity, leaving campers with a collection of functional, handmade treasures.

July Camps

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  • Game On! Retro Video Game Lab

    Dates: July 20–24 | Time: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Cost: $250
    Instructor: Sam Rauhala, Ellis Upper School Science Teacher
    Step into the world of retro gaming! Campers tackle timed challenges, explore classic video game art and sound, and experiment with pixel-based design and sound chip music creation. Collaboration, quick thinking, and creativity make this camp a hands-on adventure for gamers of all levels.

  • Unplugged Game Design

    Dates: July 27–31 | Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Cost: $450
    Instructor: Sam Rauhala, Ellis Upper School Science Teacher
    Design and play your own games in this full-day, hands-on camp. Explore board games, card games, and cooperative or competitive game styles while applying STEAM concepts, storytelling, and design thinking. Campers will also use CAD and 3D printing to bring their creations to life, building problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity skills.

2026 Changemakers Camps Registration

Changemakers Camps Registration Now Open!

Become a Changemaker this summer! ✨ Girls entering grades 5–9 are invited to dive into hands-on, real-world projects—from ceramics and textiles to engineering and design. Campers roll up their sleeves, think creatively, and collaborate to make a difference—all in a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Register now by filling out the quick form below!

*Open to Ellis and non-Ellis families.

Community Partners

Each full-day camp will be enriched through the insight of community partners and their leadership in their field. Participants will engage in activities guided by our community partners and the Changemakers Camps lead instructor. Efforts will be made to provide transportation for students from Ellis to the excursion sites and back; however, families may be required to drop off at 9:00 a.m. and pick up at 3:00 p.m. at the excursion site. Registrants will be provided with additional details about plans for off-site excursions ahead of the start of each Camp.

Past Community Partners

  • Tunnel Monster Collective
  • Powdermill Nature Reserve
  • National Aviary
  • The Frick Pittsburgh
  • Pittsburgh CLO
  • Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse
  • Allegheny Land Trust
  • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
  • Brew House Associations
  • Code Joy
  • Pittsburgh Glass Center
  • Garfield Community Farm
  • CMU
  • Grow Pittsburgh
  • Pittsburgh Festival Opera

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can be a part of this program?

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    Changemakers Camps welcomes girls entering grades 5 through 9! Changemaker Camps are open to Ellis and non-Ellis students.

Q: Where do the Camps take place? How will excursions work?

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

    Full-day Changemakers Camps may have an off-site excursion as part of their program. Efforts will be made to provide transportation for students from Ellis to the excursion sites and back; however, families may be required to drop off at 9:00 a.m. and pick up at 3:00 p.m. at the excursion site.

    All excursions will take place within the local Pittsburgh community. Registrants will be provided with additional details about plans for off-site excursions ahead of the start of each Camp.

    Occasionally, community partners may prefer to come to campus for a variety of reasons. These changes will be communicated in advance.

    Half-day camps, due to their limited scheduled, will not have off-site excursions.

Q: What is a typical day like at the Changemakers Camps?

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    A typical day at the Changemakers Camps includes dynamic activities, conversations, and games designed to encourage relationship-building and foster changemaking skills in a fun, engaging environment. Each day will balance time to explore changemaking fundamentals and time to implement the community project. A typical daily schedule looks like:

    A.M.
    9:00 a.m. - Arrival
    Check-in
    Overview of day
    Morning snack
    Themed activities

    Lunch (dismissals for half-day camps)

    P.M.
    Themed activities and project
    Clean up
    End-of-day closing and reflection
    3:00 p.m.* - Departure 

Q: What are the Camps hours and observed holidays?

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    • Camp Hours: Each Changemakers Camps program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (full-days) and 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (half-days).
    • Camp Dates: Each Changemakers Camps program runs Monday through Friday over the course of one week. Please note campus will be closed Friday, June 19 for Clay Creations: Function and Nature.

    Please carefully review the dates and times listed for the Camp in which you are interested. If you have any questions about a Camp's schedule, please contact summerprograms@theellisschool.org.

Q: What should participants bring to the program each day?

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    • A nut-free snack
    • A nut-free lunch—Ellis is a nut-free campus.
      • Please notify us of any participant allergies.
      • Please note that refrigeration and microwaves are not available for packed lunches. 
    • A labeled water bottle
      • Hydration stations are available to refill water bottles!
    • A hat and sunscreen lotion as needed for time spent outdoors

Q: How do I drop off and pick up?

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    All participants need to be checked in by a parent or guardian at the Lower School entrance as early as 8:15 a.m. with camp starting at 9:00 a.m.

    Changemakers Camps participants will wait to be picked up outside the entrance to the Ellis Lower School at 3:00 p.m. for full-day, and 12:00 p.m. for half. The front gate will be locked at all times to ensure the safety of everyone. No adults are allowed inside school buildings.

    If you have an older camper and would like them to check in and out of camp on their own, please contact summerprograms@theellisschool.org or call 412-834-4373 to speak with the Director of Summer Programs about signing a self check-out form.

    If you are unable to pick up your Changemakers Camps participant by their designated dismissal time and are interested in after-care, please contact summerprograms@theellisschool.org.

Q: How do I register for a Changemakers Camp?

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    To register for any of the Changemakers Camps, fill out this form to get started. After completing the form, you will be redirected to our camp registration portal. You will also receive an email with a link to the registration portal for future reference. Participants are welcome to sign up for any number of Camps.

    Registration is only considered complete when payment has been received.

Q: What medical and immunization forms are required?

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    • All campers will be required to complete the Summer Camp Health Form found within the Ellis Summer Camp registration form prior to attending camp. This will allow for more consistent and uniform health reporting across both Ellis and non-Ellis campers and faster access to information in the event of an emergency with all health data consolidated in one system for the summer.
    • Medical forms must be completed by May 8. Our campus nurse will review all medical forms prior to the start of camp programs.
    • Please note that we are prohibited by state law from allowing participants to remain on campus without medical and immunization information.

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

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    Please email summerprograms@theellisschool.org or text the camp phone at 412-834-4373 during business hours to alert our staff of any absences, vacations, or transportation changes that may arise.

    No refunds are given due to absences for any reason.
We encourage all parents/guardians to review our camp policies prior to registration.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at summerprograms@theellisschool.org.
6425 FIFTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412.661.5992   |   admissions@theellisschool.org
6425 FIFTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412.661.5992
admissions@theellisschool.org