For many women, summer camp lives in a warm, fuzzy corner of their memory: bunk beds and best friends, late nights and loud laughs, the rare thrill of feeling both carefree and completely yourself. Somewhere between carpools, careers, caregiving, and constant connectivity, that feeling can get lost.
This summer, a growing number of women are finding it again – not by sending their kids off to camp, but by going themselves.
Adult sleepaway camps are quietly becoming one of the most unexpected and joyful travel trends of the moment, offering something many suburban women didn’t even realize they were missing: play, connection, and permission to unplug. From legacy destinations celebrating a century of camp culture to luxury, women-only weekends that sell out in minutes, grown-up camp is no longer a novelty…it’s a movement.
Just 90 minutes from Westchester, Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut, stands as the original blueprint. Founded on a property that dates back to 1926, the site began as Camp Leonard for boys and later expanded to include Camp Leonore for girls. For decades, it operated as a traditional children’s summer camp until the mid-1970s, when the model began to falter.
In 1976, inspired by the rise of Club Med, the property was reimagined as an adult adventure destination. Club Getaway was born as a place where grown-ups could rediscover nature, nightlife, and the simple joy of being off-duty.
Over the years, it evolved from a high-energy singles resort into something broader and more inclusive. Today, under the stewardship of owners David and Gayle Schreiber, Club Getaway describes itself as a, “camp for everyone,” hosting families, schools, reunions, and its signature Camp Getaway for Adults.
“We’ve reshaped the vision while staying rooted in what has always made this place special,” David says. “Fun, freedom, friends, and shared adventures in the great outdoors.”
With more than 50 activities, costume-themed parties, live entertainment, and what guests routinely describe as surprisingly excellent food, weekends are designed as a choose-your-own-adventure. Some guests come for the legendary parties, others for archery, pickleball, or paddleboarding, most for both. What they all leave with, David says, is connection. “By the end of the weekend, you don’t just have memories. You have 250 new friends.”
In 2026, Club Getaway will celebrate its 100th anniversary with alumni reunions, champagne toasts, and a season-long tribute to its founding. The milestone feels particularly relevant now, as more women seek real-world connection in an increasingly digital life.
If you’re seeking a ladies-only weekend, Camp Social should definitely be on your list. Founded in 2023 by marketing agency owner and social media powerhouse Liv Schreiber, Camp Social was born from a simple realization. “I wanted to have fun again,” she says. “And when I thought about the most fun I’d ever had in my life, it was immediately camp. I couldn’t understand why it didn’t exist for women.”
Schreiber, who attended camp for a decade growing up, launched her first Camp Social weekend just months after the idea struck. One hundred women signed up for that inaugural August session with many of them coming solo, some flying in from as far as California, Kentucky, Ohio, and beyond. A few even traveled internationally. “I was so grateful they trusted me,” she says. “They took a huge risk.”
Today, hundreds of women travel from across the country and the globe to connect at Camp Social. The ages range widely with the oldest, an 83 year old camper. The largest demographic falls between 40 and 60. Mothers, divorcees, single women, grandmothers, daughters, and friends attend together, or arrive alone with what Schreiber calls a “solo mindset.”
“Ninety-nine percent of women arrive solo,” she explains. “But the community feels like a warm hug. Everyone comes wanting to meet people.”
Set in the Poconos, Camp Social is a three-day, two-night experience with transportation options from New York City, hotel partnerships for flyers, and activities designed for every energy level. Rock climbing, archery, pickleball, paddleboard, yoga, barre, meditation, arts and crafts, paint-and-sip, breathwork, and tie-dye. Participation is always optional, and choice is the point.
At night, themed-parties take over. This summer includes Camp Woodstock with a live band and Camp Disco in August, complete with Olympic-style competitions, helicopter moments, and even a hot air balloon appearance. Meals are prepared by private female chefs using farm-fresh ingredients, alcohol and coffee are included, and goody bags are filled with brand partnerships more reminiscent of influencer events than summer camp.
“I want to treat my campers like influencers,” Schreiber says. “This is an elevated experience.”
But beyond the aesthetics and logistics, both camps tap into something deeper. They offer women a chance to step outside routine, reconnect with their bodies and curiosity, and remember parts of themselves that may have been dormant.
“If you want to find your inner child again,” Schreiber says, “this is the place.”
As spring approaches and summer plans start to take shape, adult sleepaway camp offers something refreshingly different. Not an escape from responsibility but a return to joy.
And perhaps that’s why, 100 years after its beginnings, camp feels more relevant than ever.