Travel
Grown-Up Getaways: 10 Nostalgic Summer Camps For Adults
It’s time to trade your spreadsheets for s’mores. These adult summer camps bring back your best childhood memories, but with grown-up perks
Summer camp isn’t for kids anymore. Adult summer camps have been cropping up in recent years, offering the perfect excuse to unplug, unwind and unleash your inner child – this time with better food, comfier beds and (optional) cocktails in hand. Whether you’re looking to surf Pacific waves in California, hike wild mountains in Spain, or crush karaoke night in a Connecticut forest, these camps serve up all the wonder and unscripted fun of childhood summers, minus the curfews and the cafeteria food – because growing up doesn’t have to mean growing dull.
Club Getaway
Kent, CT, USA
Just 90 minutes from NYC, Club Getaway is the OG summer camp where adulting takes a break and play takes centre stage. Whether you’re zip-lining through the trees, paddling across a private lake, perfecting your skills at a team sport, or cracking codes in an outdoor escape room, there’s no shortage of engaging activities. Evenings come alive with themed dinners, DJ dance parties, karaoke sessions and, of course, s’mores around the campfire. Stay in cosy, rustic cabins, fuel up on feel-good camp cuisine, and connect with a warm, welcoming crowd ready to make the most out of the great outdoors.
[Image courtesy of Club Getaway]
Camp Wenonah
Muskoka, ON, Canada
Just a scenic two-hour drive from Toronto, Camp Wenonah offers the perfect balance of lakeside energy and laid-back retreat. Their female-only Women’s Weekends – running throughout September – revel in no-pressure, fully unplugged joy. Think adventure meets self-care with professionally cooked meals, fireside lounging, and an activity line-up that includes climbing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, arts and crafts, yoga, forest bathing, sound journeys, and even mental health workshops. Evenings wind down with board games, crackling campfires and sunsets over the shimmering Clear Lake.
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Aventura Norte
Asturias, Spain
Set among the misty mountains and wild rivers of Asturias, Aventura Norte offers adult-focused nature immersion with a dose of adrenaline. Trade screen time for canyoning, kayaking, hiking and biking coastal trails, as well as day visits to the nearby cities of Oviedo and Gijón. In between adventures, you’ll indulge in hearty Asturian meals, sip local ciders, and rest up in rustic lodges that feel miles away from everyday life. And there’s more: after the sun sets, it’s all folkloric storytelling and fireside chats that mirror the slow rhythms of life in Northern Spain.
[Image courtesy of Aventura Norte]
Endless Summer Surf Camp
San Onofre, CA, USA
Swap your nine-to-five for some five-foot waves at San Onofre’s Endless Summer Surf Camp, a playground for grown-ups right on the Pacific coast. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned surfer, this five-day camp offers personalised coaching in small groups, covering everything from paddling and wave selection to surf etiquette and sea safety, ensuring you learn to ride those waves like a pro. When the surf’s down, kick back at their lively happy hours, take a city tour of charming San Clemente, or unwind with beachside movies and music.
[Image courtesy of Endless Summer Surf Camp]
Camp Kindling
London, UK
Camp Kindling isn’t just for adults, but it isn’t just for kids, either. Set in an ancient pine forest outside of London, this festival-meets-camp experience turns a summer weekend into an exciting getaway for the entire family. With over 100 activities on offer, you can hop from campfire classics to unexpected moments, including improv comedy, pottery, beekeeping, survival skills and mindfulness sessions – plus live music performances and nightly parties. Stay in humble tents or boutique accommodations, and fuel up with barista-calibre coffee, a fully stocked bar, and food from top-notch local traders. It’s the best of kid-era camping with a healthy amount of grown-up incentives thrown in.
[Image courtesy of Camp Kindling]
Canadian Adventure Camp
Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
Canadian Adventure Camp’s Adult Camp – offered as a full week or a Labour Day weekend escape – packs in full-throttle fun on the private Adventure Island of Lake Temagami. From paddleboarding and Tarzan swings to tubing, water trampoline, rock climbing, arts and crafts and more, it all comes with experienced coaching and summer camp-inspired bunk bed accommodation, as well as hearty meals. Evenings involve nostalgic campfires, talent shows and starlit lake cruises, perfect for anyone craving childhood delights and lakeside freedom, or just a sense of community in nature.
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Symphonic Band Camp
Interlochen, MI, USA
Calling all former band kids and music lovers: this is your chance to get the band back together. At the renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts, campers will spend six music-filled days diving into masterclasses, private lessons, chamber groups, sectionals and full ensemble rehearsals, all leading up to a grand final concert. With a solid repertoire of modern wind ensemble works, it’s the perfect place to sharpen your technique, rediscover your confidence, and connect with fellow music enthusiasts.
[Image courtesy of Interlochen Center for the Arts]
Camp Château
Béduer, France
Set in the stunning 13th-century Château de Béduer, Camp Château is a five-night all-inclusive women’s idyll in the rolling hills of southwestern France. Think boutique-style suites, picnic lunches (yes, wine is a given), cooking classes, daily yoga, French lessons or salon chats, combined with kayaking on the River Célé, visits to local markets, horseback-riding, vineyard trips and luxurious paint-and-sip sessions against a rose garden backdrop. In short, it’s a refined yet relaxed camp in a historic setting, complete with nature, art and joie de vivre.
[Image courtesy of Camp Château]
Soul Camp
Rhinebeck, NY, USA
Leave the daily grind behind and step into Soul Camp, a grown-up sleepaway experience with a spiritual twist. Situated amid tranquil natural surrounds, this isn’t your average camp – it’s a full reset for the body and mind, with transformative yoga at sunrise, mantra movements, fire circles, breathwork under the stars, and spirit-nurturing workshops. Choose between comfy cabins or classic tents, and enjoy nourishing meals with vegan and gluten-free options. By day, dive into soul-stirring moments, and by night, laugh, connect and feel wildly alive.
[Image courtesy of Soul Camp & Omega Institute]
Summercamp
Martha’s Vineyard, MA, USA
On the scenic and breezy shores of Martha’s Vineyard, Summercamp is a seaside escape for anyone who longs to rekindle childhood experiences, but won’t sacrifice the creature comforts of adulthood. Housed in a beautifully restored boutique hotel in Oak Bluffs (once a real camp hangout), the setting exudes vintage charm with bunk-style rooms, retro games, an old-school canteen and playful decor that takes cues from beach holidays past. And while it’s not a traditional camp, the spirit is the same: explore hidden coves, bike vineyard trails, and soak up that carefree energy. The vibe is relaxed nostalgia, with none of the campfire smoke.
[Image courtesy of Summercamp © rarebrick]
[Header image courtesy of Soul Camp]
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