PHLF CampDEC for Pittsburgh Public Schools Summer Dreamers Academy

For the second summer, PHLF’s education staff and college interns are involving more than 20 middle school students in CampDEC (Design Explore Create). CampDEC is offered as an afternoon activity at CAPA, as part of the Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Summer Dreamers Academy. Twenty-three campers are exploring downtown Pittsburgh on foot, as they find answers to five Scavenger Hunts. In addition, they are swimming in the new indoor PNC YMCA pool on Fifth Avenue, biking along the North Shore, and kayaking in the Allegheny. Last week, they rode the T to Dormont to watch cartoons in the restored Hollywood Theater!

Campers have been introduced to the professions of architecture, engineering, urban planning, interior design, and landscape design so far, and one camper has written a letter to the Mayor asking him if it would be possible to build his design for “Piano Park.”

In terms of designing and creating, campers are creating a book, CampDEC Adventures 2011, and they are designing and building two models. One will show how a pedestrian bridge can be built on the historic Wabash Bridge piers, thus connecting downtown Pittsburgh and Station Square. The other shows how part of a parking lot at Station Square can be turned into a museum, picnic area, and garden.

Campers present their book and models on the last day of camp––August 10––at CAPA in the afternoon. If any PHLF members would like to come to see the presentations, you are welcome to do so. Please contact Louise Sturgess for details.