On a warm Friday afternoon in June, Pittsburgh’s Frick Park was filled with the sounds of laughter from children exploring the outdoors. The majority of the noise stemmed from the kids engaging in a made-up play of sorts outside of the park’s entrance near the Frick Environmental Center. Shortly after, the group of kids dispersed from the week-long summer camp organized by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. The nonprofit runs summer camps for children in 1st through 8th grades. This camp, called “Survival Camp,” introduced 16 years ago, focuses on teaching basic survival skills, fostering environmental interactions, and nurturing a sense of community among 7th and 8th graders. Patty Himes, one of the camp’s main counselors, has been here since its inception. “It’s essential for our health as human beings to head outside, to get outside, and to have a relationship with nature. And that’s what we’re trying to build here,” she said.  

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy