USA TODAY International Edition
Adults can have a blast at summer camp
Indulging in your hobbies or fantasies can be fun
Why should kids have all the fun when it comes to summer camps? Sure, school’s out for the summer, and a lot of kids will be heading off to camp to enjoy their time away from the classrooms. But adults want to have fun, too! Here we take a look at summer camps for adults so that you, too, can enjoy time away from work – and maybe even the kids – this summer:
Adult Space Academy
You’re never too old to go to space, at least at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. In August and September, Adult Space Academy will take over Space Camp for three twonight weekend adults-only experiences to participate in hands-on, interactive space missions and learn what it takes to be an astronaut. Campers will build and launch their own rockets, move like an astronaut on the Multi-Axis Trainer, design a protective heat shield and perform a simulated mission.
Adult Band Camp
More than 70 adults from around the U.S. and the world will come together Aug. 7-12 at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan, for an Adult Band Camp. Together, participants will attend master classes taught by instrumental faculty; be coached daily at chamber music sessions; and play in the full ensemble. The camp culminates with a public performance in the on-campus Corson Auditorium.
Culinary Boot Camp
Ready to step up your kitchen game? Join The Culinary Institute of America for a Culinary Boot Camp this summer in California, New York or Texas. Choose from dozens of boot camps ranging from two to five days, from South American cuisine to baking to plant-powered and healthy cooking. Through a CIA boot camp, you will learn hands-on “hows” and “whys” while cooking and
baking with expert chefs and instructors.
Post-apocalyptic camp
Are you prepared to survive the apocalypse? Test your survival skills this summer at Dystopia Rising Washington, which hosts fully-immersive, liveaction role-playing weekend events set in a post-apocalyptic world complete with enemies – both alive and undead. Over the course of the weekend, you will live as survivors, eating, sleeping and fighting in character.
Adult Summer Camp
The YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, invites adults who never went to summer camp as a child, or even those who did and want to relive their camp days, to their Adult Summer Camp. There’s plenty to do on the more than 800 acres of property that borders Rocky Mountain National Park, including hiking, fat tire biking, roller skating and archery, disc golf, fly fishing, art, swimming and so much more. For your overnight stays, choose a rustic private cabin or grab a bunk in the lodge rooms with common areas. Two organized camps to consider are the Women’s Adventure Camp from Aug. 23-26 and the Active Older Adults Camp for “kids ages 50 and up,” from Aug. 26-30.
Mountaineering for Women
Ladies, push yourself and your boundaries through the North Cascades Mountaineering for Women offered Aug. 5-11 by Outward Bound. The North Cascades, nicknamed the “American Alps,” is the setting for this adventure, in which participants will learn to belay, rock climb, rappel and ascend a fixed line, as well as develop teamwork, tenacity and leadership. According to Outward Bound, “Through mountaineering, you can find the confidence to overcome challenges in a supportive and compassionate group on course and transfer it to life at home.”
Camp No Counselors
Another adult summer camp to check out is Camp No Counselors, an all-inclusive, weekend-long sleep-away camp just for grown-ups. This summer and into fall, camps will be held in Austin, Texas; Boston; Calgary, Canada; Chicago; Denver; Ocala, Florida; Los Angeles; Nashville; New York; Seattle and Toronto. From water sports to theme parties and classic camp activities, the motto of Camp No Counselors is “Play like a kid, party like a grown-up.”
Rock ’N Roll Fantasy Camp
Bring your rock star dreams to life during the Rock ’n Roll Fantasy Camp. This year’s summer camp in Chicago featured Buddy Guy and Nancy Wilson of Heart, but there’s another session in October in Las Vegas that will feature Paul Stanley of KISS. Join some rock ’n roll legends for a “fully interactive, participatory camp with a non-competitive atmosphere.” Ahead of time, work with a professional touring musician to get ready for camp, where you’ll attend master classes on your instrument, stage presence and The Roundtable, where you can workshop your original song.