It’s summer time! Throughout the month of July, we have a new block of summer camp themed programming called Camp Crustacean–or Camp Crusty if you’re feeling frisky.
We’ve jam packed July with events, all of which are listed below. Come out and join us for reading, writing, and goofing off. On top of getting to spend time with your favorite local readers and writers, each event that you attend grants you the opportunity to support your favorite runner in the month-long Great Shrimp Race before we announce the winner at the campfire wrap party.
Keep reading for more info!
[Calendar Image]
The Great Shrimp Race
Move over, pierogies, because here come the shrimp.
We have three summer barbecue themed shrimp mascots vying for gold in the 2026 Great Shrimp Race. It’s up to you to determine who takes it all by coming to as many Camp Crustacean events as you can manage. Every outing that you attend is a chance to support a racer of your choice by stamping our giant Great Shrimp Race board. Whoever gets the most stamps by the end of the month (probably) wins!
We’ll provide updates on the current standing in the race throughout the month of July, so make sure to check back often and see how your favorite is doing.
Your Racers
Hotdog Shrimp is a tech worker by day and an EDM artist by night. He rides his e-bike to bakery square and has recently taken to saying yinz for the first time in his life. He grew up locally, but after working with so many transplants, he’s decided it’s time to show the world what Pittsburgh stands for.
Hamburger Shrimp is a third generation descendant of Steely McBeam. He bleeds black, gold, and Heinz ketchup. You can catch him every year at the Pittsburgh Polar Plunge doing laps across the Allegheny. As his wife likes to say, “He’s the type of man who’d give you the pants off his own ass,” but don’t you dare move his parking chair.
Corn Shrimp is a veterinarian at Blue Pearl Animal Hospital, formerly PVSCC. She spends her days off volunteering at Kitty Queen Cat Rescue. While few things are known to make her pop, she avoids 28 at all costs, lest her road rage take over and bring out her dark side. She’s also a retired sharpshooting champion.
Events
July 1st
Shrimp Shop
We’ll have our regularly scheduled workshop, and it’s your first chance to vote in the shrimp race! Click here for more info on the workshop and to join!
6:30 PM – Grist House – 10 E Sherman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
July 6th
Book Club
We’ll be meeting every Monday in July to discuss a section of A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders.
6:30 PM – Game Masters – 398 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
July 11th
Spooky Low-Tech Write-In and Walk in the Park
Bring your notebook, pen and paper, electronic typewriter, or whatever else you can muster to use in the sunlight and catch a spooky vibe with us as we write stories and enjoy the sunshine.
11:00 AM – Allegheny Cemetery
July 12th
Haunted Write-In at the Dead Mall
Back by popular demand! Meet us in the food court of the Pittsburgh Mills and yap and write ghost stories. Or whatever kind of stories.
2:00 PM – Pittsburgh Mills Mall
July 13th
Book Club Session 2
More swimming! More rain! More ponds!
6:30 PM – Game Masters – 398 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
July 15th
Shrimp Shop
We’ll have our regularly scheduled workshop. Click here for more info on the workshop and to join!
6:30 PM – Grist House – 10 E Sherman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
July 16th
Allison park event (after Vanah’s dentist appointment) ((I think))
July 18th
Write-In
Hartwood?
July 20th
Book Club Session 3
Even more swimming! Even more rain! Even more ponds!
6:30 PM – Game Masters – 398 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
July 22nd
Grammar Review
Come for a quick and informal brush-up on commas, colons, and semicolons and when to use them effectively.
6:30 PM – Northland Library – 300 Cumberland Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
July 25th
Beach Episode Low-Tech Write-In
We’ll be meeting on the beach at Raccoon Creek! Come splash around and chitchat and write a story!
11:00 AM – Raccoon Creek Park Beach, Hanover Township, PA 15026
July 27th
Book Club – Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Camp’s almost over! Wind down over an easy read with your pals.
6:30 PM – Game Masters – 398 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
July 29th
Shrimp Shop
We’ll have our regularly scheduled workshop. Click here for more info on the workshop and to join!
6:30 PM – Grist House – 10 E Sherman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
July 31st
Campfire Party
That’s a wrap! Meet us at the Emsworth Shelter at North Park to eat, drink, and be merry! Bring your scariest, spookiest story to read over the campfire and share your favorite Camp Crusty memory over a Buzzball or two.
6:30 PM – North Park – Emsworth Pavilion Wexford, PA 15090