Adult summer camps are WAY more fun than being a kid and going to summer camp.
You get to do all sorts of fun activities and meet a bunch of other interesting adults.
In this post, you’ll learn the best summer camp activities for adults.
Why you should listen to me: My name is Nick Gray. I wrote a book about hosting parties and building your network. I’ve been to more than a thousand events, and this adult summer camp was executed very well. I interviewed the organizers about everything they learned.
My name is Nick Gray, and I'm the best-selling author of the party handbook The 2-Hour Cocktail Party. I've hosted hundreds of parties all over the world, and been featured in the WSJ, The New York Times, and New York Magazine.
Adult Summer Camps Info
Adult summer camps are a recreational program that is designed for adults.
Think of all the camp classics—archery, canoe races, color wars—layered with adult perks like craft-beer tastings, yoga nidra at sunrise, and phones locked away so you actually talk to the humans around the fire.
Counselors become facilitators, meals upgrade from sloppy joes to chef-led farm-to-table spreads, and “lights-out” is replaced by silent-disco headphones under the stars.
Some adult summer camps may also include workshops or classes on topics such as wellness, cooking, or creative writing.
These camps may be overnight or during the day. They can vary in length from a weekend to a weeklong.
I went to an adult summer camp during the summer of 2022!
Right from the second I showed up, I knew it was going to be fun.
Who are adult summer camps for:
- Solo travelers looking to meet kindred spirits without the small-talk pressure of typical group tours.
- Couples craving a playful reset that isn’t just another resort stay.
- Friend groups or bachelor/bachelorette parties who’d rather kayak and karaoke than bar-hop.
- Corporate teams & creatives seeking low-stakes collaboration and fresh problem-solving energy.
- Wellness seekers who want to swap spreadsheets for stand-up paddleboards.
Typical structure of adult summer camps:
- Themed sessions: from 90s throwback weeks to women-only empowerment retreats.
- Choose-your-own workshops: silkscreen, improv, aerial yoga, pottery, songwriting.
- Schedule rhythm: mornings often feature optional electives; afternoons move into cabin-versus-cabin challenges; evenings end with communal dinners, talent shows, and no-phones campfires. The golden rule: everything is optional—sign up for sunrise swim club or sleep in till pancakes.
They assigned us our beds when we showed up.
Immediately after, we got to play some games and socialize with all the attendees.
We spent the whole time dancing, playing games, shooting archery, kayaking, doing a ropes course, and much more.
Best Adult Summer Camps in the U.S. (2025)
Here is a list of adult summer camps in the U.S.
Camp No Counselors (Nationwide)
- Party-forward, all-inclusive adult camp with open bars and throwback games
- Best for: extroverts, friend groups, nostalgia seekers
- Activities: tug-of-war, themed parties, lake inflatables
Club Getaway (Connecticut)
- Combines fitness, fun, and party weekends with outdoor adventures
- Best for: East Coast weekend warriors
- Activities: ziplining, dance nights, mixology classes
Soul Camp (California & New York)
- Wellness-focused retreats with yoga, creativity, and healing workshops
- Best for: soul-searchers, creatives, spiritual explorers
- Activities: breathwork, vision boarding, communal meals
Camp Rahh (Washington State)
- Digital detox camp in nature—no phones, no pressure
- Best for: introverts, nature lovers, deep thinkers
- Activities: mindfulness hikes, journaling, silent hours
Camp Social (Pennsylvania)
- Women-only, three-day camp in Pocono Mountains, PA, for 400 women.
- Purpose: making connections, most attendees arrive solo, but all leave as friends.
- Activities include sunrise yoga, hikes, s'mores, cocktails, and tug-of-war.
Adult Summer Camps Comparison Table
Here is a table comparing various adult summer camps around the U.S.
Camp Name | Vibe | Best For | Location | Activities |
Camp No Counselors | Party + Nostalgia | Friend groups, extroverts | Multiple U.S. cities | Field day, dance parties, open bar |
Soul Camp | Wellness + Healing | Creatives, introverts | CA + NY | Yoga, workshops, intention setting |
Club Getaway | Adventure + Fitness | Couples, young professionals | Connecticut | Ziplining, lake sports, mixology |
Camp Bonfire | Balanced + Nature | Anyone who needs to unplug | Pennsylvania | Canoeing, archery, campfires |
Camp Rahh | Tech Detox + Reflection | Digital burnout recovery | Washington State | Journaling, silent time, hikes |
Camp Social | Connecting + Letting Go | Women Only | Pennsylvania | Adventure, fun, and relaxation |
Interactive Quiz for Adult Summer Camps
Here is an interactive quiz for your adult summer camp.
“What’s Your Perfect Adult Summer Camp?”
5–7 fun questions, like:
- How do you feel about dancing until 2 a.m.?
- Do you want to learn something or escape everything?
- Solo travel: love it or leave it?
- What’s your dream morning activity: kayaking, meditation, or karaoke brunch?
Result categories:
- 🎉 The Social Butterfly (Camp No Counselors, Club Getaway)
- 🌿 The Grounded Soul (Soul Camp, Camp Rahh)
- 🔥 The Classic Camper (Camp Bonfire, Camp Wandawega)
- 🎨 The Creative Spirit (writing/art retreats)
- 🌈 The Bold Explorer (LGBTQ+ or niche camps)
Niche Adult Summer Camps Worth Traveling For
Here is a list of niche adult summer camps:
- Camp Nerd Fitness – Health and fitness meet gaming and cosplay
- Camp Grounded – Tech-free, analog-only experience
- Camp Wild Women – Women-only empowerment and nature camp
- Camp Yampire (Virtual) – Online adult summer camp with trivia, yoga, and talent show
How to Choose the Right Camp for You
How to choose the right adult summer camp:
- Ask yourself: Are you craving connection, creativity, adventure, or peace?
- Location vs. vibe vs. price
- Solo vs. group travel
- Length (weekend vs. full week)
- Alcohol-allowed vs. wellness-focused
Want the full hosting playbook?
Grab the free 2-page party checklist.
What to Pack for Adult Summer Camps
What should I pack:
- Essentials: sleeping bag, flashlight, bug spray, comfy clothes
- Optional but awesome: themed costumes, friendship bracelets, Polaroid camera
- Mindset: Open, playful, and ready to unplug
Planning Tips: Adult Summer Camps
Here are a few tips to help you plan your trip:
- Book early
- Budget realistically
- Time your travel
- Read the fine print
- Travel logistics (many offer group transport or carpools)
List of Activities
Here’s a list of things that you and your friends can do at an adult summer camp.
- Human Pyramid
- Ax Throwing
- Bouncing Beach Balls
- Power Pole
- Pirate Ship
- Screamer
- Lake Kayaking
- Pickleball
- Disc Golf
- Swimming
- Self-Guided Hikes
- Climbing
- Zipline
- Ropes Course
- Charades
- Cops and Robbers
- Blind Taste Testing
- Squirt Gun Fight
- Silent Disco
- Scavenger Hunt
- Archery
- Dodgeball
- White Water Rafting
- Dance Class
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Arts and Crafts
- 2 Truths and a Lie
- Outside Movie Theater
- Relay Race
- Color Wars
- Survival Test
Nick's note: Are you planning to go on a camping trip soon? Read this article to know more about the fun activities and essential tips you need.
Photos from Adult Summer Camps
What to Pack for Adult Summer Camps
Here is a list of things to pack when attending adult summer camp:
- Essentials: sleeping bag, flashlight, bug spray, comfy clothes
- Optional but awesome: themed costumes, friendship bracelets, Polaroid camera
- Mindset: Open, playful, and ready to unplug
FAQs: Adult Summer Camps
Q: Is there an age limit?
A: Yes—nearly every adult summer camp sets a minimum age, and it’s usually 21 (because many programs serve alcohol) or occasionally 25 for retreats that cater to a slightly older crowd.
Q: Are phones allowed?
A: That depends on the camp’s philosophy. Some camps lock your devices away at check-in and even ask campers to use nicknames instead of job titles. Review each camp’s tech policy beforehand so you know whether to bring a battery pack or be ready for a full unplug.
Q: What if I come solo?
A: Solo campers are not just welcome—they’re common. Most programs assign “friend-maker” bunks that mix individual travelers, run ice-breaker games on day one, and group people by age or interests, so nobody feels like the odd one out.
Q: Will I be the oldest person there?
A: Unlikely. The typical age range you’ll see around the campfire is mid-20s to mid-40s, but plenty of camps report regulars in their 50s and beyond. Some place bunkmates in decade cohorts or allow private-room upgrades for couples and older campers who prefer quieter evenings.
Conclusion
You’re never too old to feel the campfire spark. Adult camps hand you three priceless F-words—fun, friends, and freedom—all bundled into one screen-free escape. You trade spreadsheets for scavenger hunts, networking events for natural friendships, and notifications for the simple thrill of beating your cabin in color war.
By day, you stretch your comfort zone on a climbing wall or watercolor canvas; by night, you swap stories beneath a sky unfiltered by city lights. The result is the kind of full-body reset a weekend brunch can’t touch.
If the idea still feels a little off-trail, remember that every camper once arrived wondering whether bunk beds and capture-the-flag were “too much.” The truth? That tiny leap into play is what makes camp magic stick. Give yourself permission to lean into nostalgia, meet strangers who might become lifelong friends, and reclaim the childlike freedom we tend to shelve after college.
Ready to see what all the buzz is about? Jump on a waitlist, lock in your spot, or simply forward this guide to a friend who needs a nudge. Your next great memory could be one campfire—one impulsive “yes!”—away.
If you want to host great parties and meet people as you would at an adult summer camp, grab a copy of my book and learn more.
