These Old-School Summer Camp Experiences For Adults Offer Tons Of Recreation And Fun In The Sun

If the phrase "simpler times" brings up memories of shooting a bow and arrow during an archery lesson, laughing with friends while floating on a lake, or ziplining over a verdant canopy of trees, it's high time to indulge your inner child, pack your trunk, and ship yourself off to summer camp. Adult summer camp, we mean. Not only are such camps great ways for grownups to get active and relax with hands-on activities, but they also offer countless opportunities to make new friends. The person sitting next to you at the bonfire may just turn out to be your new best bud. Plus, if you want to learn outdoor skills as an adult, camp is the perfect setting.

Get ready to explore a handful of old-school summer camp experiences that will help reignite your passion for the great outdoors (if it ever dwindled) and learn more about yourself as well as others in the process. Each camp has its own unique angle and mission; for example, you'll find a tech-free camp, a surf camp, an LGBTQ+ camp, and a female-only camp. Some experiences promise endless alcohol, while others are devoted to maintaining an environment free of intoxicants. No matter what, though, each camp is conducive to helping adults socialize without having to worry about the stresses of everyday life. It will soon become clear that from California to Maine, adult summer camps are more common than you might think. So dust off your water shoes and throw on a hat; it's time to go to camp!

Do you still treasure the tie-dye t-shirt you made at summer camp as a kid? You can look forward to twisting and dying another one at Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut. Several sessions are offered over the course of the summer, most of them in the $400-600 range. It's a great place to relax over Independence Day or Labor Day weekend, and the last session in 2025 takes place in October. Plus, Club Getaway is only about 90 miles from New York City, so you might consider extending your vacation to a full week if you enjoy the urban hustle (each camp session lasts three to four days).

You'll feel like a kid again as you fasten yourself into a ziplining harness, dare yourself to look down while traversing the ropes course, and compete with a vengeance in the Crazy Olympics. You'll feel like an adult, though, when you sip on wine at dinner, enjoy nourishing meals, and sleep in quaint, temperature-controlled cabins with private bathrooms and daily housekeeping. Cabins hold up to five people, making Club Getaway an ideal place to visit with close friends. You'll be in good hands at this adult summer camp; indeed, a Tripadvisor user said, "The staff is incredibly hard working – from the luggage crew to directors – and it's all to make sure the guests have a good time."

Dates: July 3-6, July 11-13, July 18-20, July 25-27, August 1-3, August 8-10, August 15-17, August 29 – September 1, September 5-8, or October 3-5, 2025

Despite being condemned on "Shark Tank" in 2016, Camp No Counselors still welcomes hundreds of campers each year in New York, California, and Texas. In fact, this adult summer camp, which can trace its roots back to 2013, is in such high demand that a single ticket for a four-day session sells at a rate of nearly $1,000. Depending on the location, activities include archery, boating, pickleball, hiking, kayaking, and more from the classic summer camp menu. To spice it up a bit, there are unlimited adult beverages and pool parties as well as dance parties.

Cocktails and beers aren't the only adult beverages, either; you can look forward to sipping on a hot cup of joe during the morning flagpole with coffee sessions. Mealtime is not an event to be dreaded either, given that the camp promises salad bars, fresh fruit, and nourishing entrees. You can even let staff know of any special dietary requirements ahead of time, and they will be accommodated. As one of the most well-known adult summer camps in the United States, Camp No Counselors has garnered enough clout to also offer private event services, including camp-themed weddings and company retreats. So if you attend camp and fall in love, feel free to send your boss (or significant other) a subtle hint!

Dates: August 14-17, 2025 (California), August 29 – September 1, 2025 (New York), or April 2-5, 2026 (Texas)

If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community and looking for a camp where you can truly feel seen and accepted for your unique identity and interests, book yourself a bunk at 'Camp' Camp. This weeklong experience is unlike any other summer camp you have ever been to. Set in central Maine, 'Camp' Camp has been receiving rave reviews since 1997. One review on the camp's website, for instance, states that "'Camp' Camp has woken up the joys of living, of experiencing life, of socializing with people." In fact, according to the organizers, 75% of participants return each year. 

Bonding with others begins right in the communal cabins and continues during social events, meals, and a plethora of classic camp activities. Over the course of a week, you can expect a talent show, volleyball, dancing, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, fun in the pool, color wars, and more. Furthermore, cell phone use is only permitted in designated areas, encouraging campers to be in the present moment with one another. 

Though the price for this year is $1,975, the website explains that you can attend for as low as $475 if you take up a specific staff position. Monthly payment plans are also feasible. While beer and wine are occasionally offered at this camp, organizers stress that they should be consumed responsibly and at appropriate times. Note that you are not allowed to bring in outside alcohol; instead, adult beverages are available for purchase at the Best Time Wine Bar in the evenings and also provided during a handful of evening social events. 

Dates: August 14-21, 2025

Hidden away in Portola, California, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Plumas National Forest, is a summer camp that sprawls across 515 acres of land. It features a pond, a zipline, an alpine tower, and more. This August, you can be one of about 200 people who join Grown-Up Getaway Camp for a private weekend at this spectacular venue. Live music, yoga, pickleball, stargazing, hiking, and camp games are all on deck. Because this is a grown-up retreat, happy hour takes place each evening. Plus, a wine and paint class is led by a local artist and there's a good chance that mimosas will be served at Saturday morning's breakfast.

One of the best parts about this camp is that all the proceeds from your $450 registration fee will help teach science to students in underserved communities. That's because the camp is organized by Sierra Nevada Journeys, a nonprofit that is dedicated to providing STEM education to students in an outdoor, hands-on setting. Your registration fee guarantees you a bed in one of 16 cabins that sleep up to 12 people each. One reviewer featured on Sierra Nevada Journey's Instagram page stated that they "loved the effortless combination of group activities and personal downtime – it was refreshing and restorative." So what are you waiting for? Grab your friends and family and support this wonderful cause.

Dates: August 15-17, 2025

If the Adirondacks have always sounded like an idyllic place to vacation, this is your chance to immerse yourself in their midst while truly taking advantage of outdoor opportunities. Brant Lake Adult Camp is located in Warren County, New York. As the name suggests, there is indeed a lake, where you can sail, waterski, wakeboard, stand up paddleboard, swim, kayak, or go tubing. Not a water baby? That's fine; you'll have plenty of friends with whom you can play beach volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, or tennis. There is even an activity known as "keg kickball" listed on the website.

Brant Lake Adult Camp is designed for young professionals at least 21 years old, reflecting the availability of alcohol; beer, wine, and hard seltzer are all included in the registration cost, as are soft drinks, meals, and accommodations. However, the rest of the summer, this is a camp for boys. Online reviews frequently note that the setting is beautiful and that the camps are run by a dedicated set of staff members.

The three-day weekend in August is currently priced at $475 per person, with a modest discount for groups. If you are flying solo, you will be housed with campers who share similar interests. Don't let the fear of peeing in an outhouse or bruising your hips on a hard mattress stop you from signing up; each bunk is equipped with bathrooms, comfortable beds and blankets, hot water, and electricity. Nor should memories of nauseating mess hall food prevent you from registering; in fact, you can expect meals like BBQ and tacos. The kitchen staff also has experience accommodating dietary restrictions such as veganism and gluten intolerances.

Dates: August 15-17, 2025

YMCAs have a reputation for being wholesome to body, mind, and spirit. Since its founding in 1844, the nonprofit organization has been much more than a place to work out. For instance, YMCAs around the world help empower youth with volunteer and leadership activities. They also encourage water safety, provide welcoming spaces for military families, and, yes, conduct summer camps. Camp Chief Ouray is one such YMCA-run campground that offers programs not only for children, but also adults. Set in the Rocky Mountains of Granby, Colorado, the Active Adults Camp is meant for participants who are at least "50 years young and above," according to the official website.

There's a lot to love about Camp Chief Ouray. Hiking, archery, climbing, tubing, ziplining, and more promise to meet the needs of adults who still want to move their bodies as if they were kids again. Campers can rest their heads at night in the comfort of a lodge room complete with a bathroom. The Active Adults Camp lasts five days. The fee is currently $400, but note that there is already a waitlist in place. A Family Camp (also fully booked for this year) is available as well for adults and children who would like to attend together.

Dates: August 18-22, 2025

Hey, Midwesterners, we didn't forget about you! Or rather, Camp Forever Fun didn't forget about you. Located in Bloomingdale, Michigan, this adult summer camp attracts folks who want to cut loose, be silly, and indulge in some lighthearted fun for a weekend. This year, for instance, a pajama breakfast and a suds, foam, and bubbles dance party are on the itinerary. So is an ambiguously named "Midnight Shrinkage Club," which has been left up to our imagination. That's all in addition to classic camp activities like hiking, navigating ropes courses, practicing yoga, and ziplining. Did we mention that there's a lake with water trampolines and canoes? The color war on Sunday also sounds like a ball. Of course, you can take things at a slower pace, too; one reviewer on Camp Forever Fun's website stated that "the activities were a perfect balance of fun, challenging, and leisurely."

While all of that could be enjoyed completely sober, wine and craft beer are available, too. In fact, a moonlight beer hike is on the schedule this year that allows participants to sample beer varieties from Short's Brewing Company, which is local to Michigan. Alcohol is a signature characteristic of this camp, which is why participants must be at least 21 years of age to attend. Don't ask anyone else their age, though; apparently it is against camp rules. You can sign up for the session this August at a price of $399 per person (discounts are available for groups).

Dates: August 22-24, 2025

Bona fide surf grommets and beginners alike are welcome at Endless Summer Surf Camp in sunny California, where the waves climb high, but the vibes rise even higher. Both day and overnight options are available for this camp, which is located between San Diego and Los Angeles. Specifically, it takes place in San Onofre State Park, which is famous amongst surfers for its incredible summertime waves. In addition to paddling on a surfboard and catching waves, you can look forward to chatting with new friends over a campfire, competing in high-energy games of ping pong, kicking back and watching movies, skateboarding, and indulging in happy hour. There is even a tour of San Clemente offered, giving you a chance to ogle at Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

This year, three sessions reserved exclusively for adults were scheduled between June and September. As of this writing, the two camps in September still had openings. Your $1,695 overnight registration or $795 day camp registration fee covers all your food, refreshments, and accommodations (where applicable). It also covers the cost of your surfing equipment and the lessons you will receive from expert instructors. Those lessons are nothing short of excellent, with one Tripadvisor user saying that the "surf staff is fun, talented and picks the best waves for a 65+ old to catch a fun ride."

Dates: September 1–5 or September 8-12, 2025

As much as summer camp is an invigorating experience that many kids look forward to each year, it can also be one that is filled with anxiety, especially for young girls attending co-ed camps. That's why we love Camp Social, a women's only camp set within the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania. This camp, which takes place at the end of September, is an excellent way to round out your summer while simultaneously saying hello to autumn. After all, the Poconos, a mountain range where you can get your heartrate up while pursuing countless outdoor activities, are stunning this time of year.

Camp Social is designed to help women make new friends, and participants are encouraged to attend alone. Think: yoga, hiking, s'mores, and cocktails for three days. The environment is warm and welcoming, and a writer for Teen Vogue noted that "there wasn't one moment that I was ready to leave or spend time by myself." If you are a creature of habit when it comes to exercise, don't worry: You'll still be able to squeeze in a HIIT class before settling down into a comfortable chair and making friendship bracelets.

Nor should you worry about food: Meals feature farm-to-table ingredients prepared by private chefs, there is an open bar, and you'll probably see a charcuterie board or two over the course of the weekend. At the end of the day, you can unwind quietly on your own or live it up with live music. The total price for this fall's three-day session is just shy of $900.

Dates: September 26-28, 2025

Artist retreats can be therapeutic, healing, restorative, and productive. While Camp Rahh is not explicitly marketed as a camp for artists, this group of people will certainly thrive there. Set each year in the Pacific Northwest, campers can look forward to cooking classes, meditation sessions, creative writing workshops, kayaking outings, archery sessions, and more. Unique activities like a self-defense class and a hip hop class are also offered. In case you start to feel overwhelmed by all the activities, you are welcome to plop down in a hammock with a good book in hand. Wellness is prioritized at Camp Rahh, and the mock schedule includes sauna sessions, yoga sessions, a sound bath, and a wellness workshop. In brief, your physical, emotional, and social cups will be filled after taking part in this four-day camp.

The total cost of Camp Rahh is $1,000, but after paying that, the website states that "you can leave your wallets at home." Chef-driven meals, live music, (non-alcoholic) drinks, and even bus transportation to and from Seattle are all included in your registration. Forget your digital wallet, too: Drugs, alcohol, and technology are not allowed for the duration of the weekend. One of the few exceptions? You are encouraged to bring along a film camera to document the fun times! Going old-school will help you cultivate intentionality and thoughtfulness behind the lens. In any case, you can't put a price on friendship; one glowing review posted on Facebook in 2022 stated, "I have rejoined social media after six years away because the connections I made at Camp Rahh were so amazing and I want to stay in touch with everyone."

Dates: TBA for 2026

The camps covered all place an emphasis on outdoor activities. That's why, for example, the Adult Space Academy did not make the cut. We made sure to include options from across the country so that no matter where you live, you can find one relatively close by. Online reviews were carefully considered in assembling this list to ensure that each one offers a welcoming environment. Finally, recognizing that everyone has different needs and interests and deserves a safe space, a few of the camps selected cater to specific identity groups.