Being a grown-up can be a bummer. When we were kids, we got summers off—now that we’ve traded the academic year for a 401k, vacation days are carefully meted out, and we usually have to cash them in on visits to family. If you’re feeling stressed, check out adult summer camp. Friendship bracelets, capture-the-flag and bug juice by the bonfire are givens, but the camps on our list have activities to engage the adult in you, too.
Camp No Counselors
As seen on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Camp No Counselors rents out camp spaces all over the country — including Boston and New York — to bring to life its motto, “Play like a kid, party like a grown-up!” to fun-starved adults all summer long. Partying is the core of Camp No Counselors — campers get to enjoy an open bar for all four days of their abbreviated summer break. Breakfast includes a Bloody Mary and mimosa bar, and nighttime involves lots of theme parties. Beyond partying, campers can get into stuff like sailing, blobbing and zip lining.
Registration fees range from $450-$675, and cover accommodations, meals, activities, parties, and drinks. See campnocounselors.com for more information.
Club Getaway
An hour-and-a-half from New York City and three-and-a-half-hour drive from Boston, in the Connecticut Berkshires, Club Getaway will “spoil you rotten and help you indulge in a weekend of adventure,” four days at a time throughout the summer. Each weekend provides a different experience — Memorial Day, Young Professionals, Camp Out (LGBT) and Gen X-themed weekends are all on the menu for 2018. Activities include all the usuals, plus improv, mixology, burlesque and more. As far as alcohol goes, only wine is included with the registration fee, but guests can front an additional $100 for an all-inclusive “Cheers Package” for drinks. NYC residents can get to Club Getaway for $65 round-trip on the Getaway Bus.
Registration fees range from $400-$500 — depending on the weekend — and cover accommodations, housekeeping, meals, wine with dinner, activities, entertainment and parties. Call (800) 643-8292, email info@clubgetaway.com, or visit clubgetaway.com/camp-for-adults/ for more information.
Hog Island Audubon Camp
Bird lovers — or twitchers-in-training — will love the five-day camps at Hog Island Audubon Camp. The camp is part of the Todd Wildlife Sanctuary, a 90-minute drive from Portland, Maine. Programs include the Joy of Birding (6/3–6/8), Field Ornithology (6/17–6/22) and Raptor Rapture (7/8–7/13).
“Standard room” accommodations are $1,145, and include meals, housing, instruction0 and all boat trips. Deluxe accommodations are available. Scholarships may be available through your local Audubon chapter or bird club. For more information, email hogisland@audubon.org, call (843) 340-8673, or visit hogisland.audubon.org.
There are plenty of ways to treat your inner kid to some time away while still feeling like an adult — these are just a few options. However you spend your summer as a grown-up, make sure you engage your mind and make time for fun.
