THE ELLIS SCHOOL

Registration is NOW OPEN!

Fill out the form below to sign up your camper up for any of our upcoming Changemaker Camps this summer.

For a limited time only: Use code LOVESUMMER2025 to take $30* off each Changemakers Camps program that you register your camper(s) for by February 14.

The world is rapidly changing. Together, girls can shape what that world looks like.

Changemakers Camps is a summer institute that brings together girls to collaborate on interdisciplinary real-world projects in an exploratory space. Centered around interdisciplinary, real-world projects, Changemakers Camps offers four innovative sessions from June to August. Camps are open to girls entering grades 5-9.  Our new League of Extraordinary Dancers camp is open to girls entering grades 4-9.

Over the course of the summer, girls will roll up their sleeves, get messy, and think creatively as they work to bring about positive change and explore topics such as the arts, performance, engineering, and more.

How It Works

Four different Camps are offered throughout the summer. Each Camp focuses on a specific project and runs Monday through Friday for either one or two weeks. Please note that by registering for one Camp, participants are committing to all days of that Camp. Participants can register for any number of Camps. Each Camp consists of three core elements that will guide participants through the collaborative project:

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  • 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 will culminate in a final project ranging from a physical product to a concluding performance. 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.

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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.

Community Partners

Each 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

2025 Camps

Your Art, Your Story

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  • Details

    Dates: June 9-13
    Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
    Cost: $450
    Instructor: Lisa Zhou (Ellis Visual Arts Teacher)

  • Camp Description

    Dive into a week of artistic discovery in this dynamic summer art class where every day introduces a new medium to explore themes of self-expression, identity, and imagination! Campers will embark on a creative journey, building new skills and reflecting on what makes their own art unique, culminating in a camper-curated show on the last day of camp.

    Visiting artists and an off-site excursion will give participants a behind-the-scenes look at the methods of local artists and arts organizations. While no previous arts experience is required, a love for materials, experimentation, and process is strongly encouraged.

    *Please note that there will be an evening exhibition on the last day of this camp.

  • Camp Excursion & Community Partners

    Coming soon!

League of Extraordinary Dancers

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  • Details

    Dates:
    • Session 1 - July 7-18
    • Session 2 - July 21-August 1
    Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
    Cost: $800 per session, $1,500 for session 1 and 2 (save $100)
    Instructor: Kontara Morphis (Ellis Dance Instructor)

  • Camp Description

    Join “The League of Extraordinary Dancers” – a two-week dance program designed for both new and experienced performers entering grades 4 to 9. Unleash your creativity as you dive into a dynamic curriculum featuring ballet, creative movement, acting for dancers, hip hop, and choreography. Each day is packed with fun, skill-building activities that will elevate your dance abilities to new heights.  Participants will collaborate to produce an electrifying and unique dance performance, showcasing their talents and teamwork in a spectacular finale.

    Whether you're a new dancer or looking to sharpen your skills, this camp promises an unforgettable adventure filled with technique, creativity, and extraordinary moves. We are offering two sessions of this camp. Each session will have an excursion off site to see dance and movement professionals at work in the community.  Participants may sign up for one or both sessions.  Participants who sign up for both sessions will be able to continue building on their skills from the previous session and will receive a bulk discount.

    Don’t miss your chance to become part of the League!

    *Please note: each session will culminate in a final performance after the last day of the session.

  • Camp Excursion & Community Partners

    Coming soon!

Engineer the Future: Robotics

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  • Details

    Dates: July 21-25, 2025
    Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
    Cost: $450
    Instructor: Samuel Rauhala (Ellis Upper School Science Teacher)

  • Camp Description

    Bring your imagination and creativity to this hands-on robotics camp. Both new and experienced programmers are invited to join us as we find innovative solutions to puzzling challenges through teamwork, curiosity, and the engineering design process. Changemakers will be required to think outside the box and use tools and technology to engage in creative problem solving. Participants in this session will use coding and tools such as Hummingbird robotics kits, CAD, and 3D printing to prototype a unique solution to a human-centered design challenge. No prior coding or programming experience is required.

  • Camp Excursion & Community Partners

    Coming soon!

Unplugged Game Design

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  • Details

    Dates: July 28 - August 1
    Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    Instructor: Samuel Rauhala (Ellis Upper School Science Teacher)

  • Camp Description

    Embark on a journey of creativity and strategy in a one of a kind camp. Participants will discover how the art of game design—in the form of board games, card games, and more—can become a gateway to the realms of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) while exploring game styles including cooperative games, deckbuilders, eurogames, and legacy games.

    Changemakers will incorporate storytelling and artistic design, build their understanding of probabilities and problem-solving, and hone their decision-making as they craft and play their own games. This collaborative hands-on camp will use cutting-edge tools such as CAD and 3D printing in a blend of creativity, critical thinking, and fun.

  • Camp Excursion & Community Partners

    Coming soon!

Register for Changemakers Camps

Interested in signing your camper up for one or more of our upcoming 2025 Changemaker Camps? Fill out the form below and get ready for all of the fun! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can be a part of this program?

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  • View Answer

    Changemakers Camps welcomes girls entering grades 5 through 9 with our new League of Extraordinary Dancers welcoming girls entering grades 4 through 9.

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

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  • View Answer

    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.

    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.

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

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  • View Answer

    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 

    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.
    • Camp Dates: Each Changemakers Camps program runs Monday through Friday over the course of one or two weeks.
    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@berxwedan.net.

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 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. 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@berxwedan.net 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@berxwedan.net.

Q: How do I register for a Changemakers Camp?

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  • View Answer

    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.

    Participants who register for both sessions of League of Extraordinary Dancers will receive a bulk registration discount of $100.

    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.
    • 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@berxwedan.net 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@berxwedan.net.
6425 FIFTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412.661.5992   |   admissions@berxwedan.net
6425 FIFTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412.661.5992
admissions@berxwedan.net