Why adults are going back to summer camp | Longform
Adult Camps Offer Solutions for Loneliness and Burnout
Adults from various generations, including Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, are increasingly turning to adult camps as a solution for rising levels of loneliness and burnout. These camps provide opportunities to reconnect in a playful environment, often marked by a sense of community and collaboration among participants.
Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky, a keynote speaker and author specializing in human connection and workplace culture, highlighted the disconnect many individuals feel in today’s society. He noted, “Hundreds of millions of people every day feel a gap between their level of connection and where they want it to be,” attributing this to influences such as social media, remote work, and distances from family and friends.
Poswolsky’s insights stem from his experience as an adult camp counselor at Camp Grounded from 2013 to 2017. He remarked that while the concept of adult camp might provoke skepticism, it addresses a fundamental need for adults: the chance to play and connect without the pressures of professional networking.
In 2023, Melanie Kelly, 44, experienced significant burnout while managing marketing and communications for a solar company. She enrolled in a weeklong art camp at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colorado, seeking to rekindle the creative flow she once felt as a painting major. The camp provided a stark contrast to her routine of emails and computer screens, allowing her to create art and engage with fellow campers.
“It feels like there’s a bit of release in these types of moments or activities because you’re allowing yourself to rest,” Kelly said, emphasizing that rest involves play and creativity rather than mere relaxation.
Anderson Ranch not only offers workshops but also organizes meals and activities to facilitate social interaction among attendees. While many participants arrive with friends or partners, the camps also welcome solo attendees looking to expand their social circles.
At Michigan’s Camp Forever Fun, founder Joel Reisig aims to create an inclusive environment for single campers. Reisig, a movie producer, was inspired to establish the camp after filming a movie about girls at horse camp. He observed how the cast and crew bonded over shared activities, leading him to believe that adults need similar opportunities for connection.
“Adults need a summer camp break every bit as much as kids do,” Reisig said, pointing out the challenges of forming new friendships in adult life. “A weekend at Camp Forever Fun is a time to relax and engage in meaningful conversations with others.”
Camp Forever Fun encourages participants to introduce themselves freely, fostering a welcoming atmosphere that contrasts sharply with typical social interactions in bars or cafes. Recent studies indicate that the average time Americans spend at home has increased significantly, highlighting the growing need for interpersonal connection.
Alyx van der Vorm, 25, a neuroscience scholar and founder of the social connection platform Clyx, attributes rising loneliness levels to the ease of fulfilling needs without leaving home. She notes that the reduction of friction in daily tasks can discourage individuals from making social plans, leading to less face-to-face interaction.
The blending of home, work, and leisure has further compounded feelings of burnout. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, telework rates surged to 22.6 percent in March 2026, reflecting a shift in workplace dynamics since the pandemic. Matthew Leahy, a licensed clinical psychologist, stated that many adults now navigate environments that demand constant productivity, making downtime often feel like another task.
Camp experiences provide a counterbalance to this trend, allowing individuals to embrace presence and enjoyment rather than productivity. Leahy explained that camps encourage participants to engage in outdoor activities and creative pursuits simply for the joy of it.
Sarah Boss, a psychiatrist and clinical director at The Balance clinic in Mallorca, Spain, described adult camps as a unique “container” that offers permission to be playful and connect with others without pressure. She believes these experiences allow adults to reclaim emotional states often lost in the demands of everyday life.
The trend of adult camps is not confined to the United States; it is gaining popularity globally. Sarah El Nabulsi, a licensed clinical psychologist in Dubai, has observed similar patterns of burnout among her patients. In the United Arab Emirates, adult camps such as the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp have emerged, enhancing opportunities for social engagement.
The broader outdoor adventure market is also thriving, evident by the increased visitor numbers at destinations like Hatta Resorts and Wadi Hub in Dubai. El Nabulsi emphasized that adults often face burnout from a lack of unstructured social interactions, highlighting the need for environments where friendships can form organically.
Overall, adult camps represent a growing movement aimed at addressing the mounting challenges of loneliness and burnout in modern society, fostering genuine connections and opportunities for play among participants.
