Unleash your inner child at 10 adult summer camps in NC
Summer camp isn’t just for kids. Grown-ups can unleash their inner child at the best adult summer camps in North Carolina.
If you spent your summers at sleepaway camp as a kid and want to relive those carefree days of swimming, hiking, and arts and crafts as an adult, you’re in luck. Several adults-only camps in North Carolina this summer (and fall) mimic the classic camp experience for grown-ups.
Whether you’re looking to hone a certain skill or simply want to reconnect with nature for a few days, these adult summer camps in North Carolina have something to offer every type of grown-up camper.
1. Women’s Kayak Retreat
If your ideal girls’ getaway includes whitewater kayaking and yoga, mark your calendar for Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Women’s Kayak Retreat. At this skills-based camp, you’ll learn about whitewater gear and boat design, kayak strokes, concepts, and maneuvers, river safety, wet exits, rolling techniques, and much more. All skill levels are welcome to attend the retreat, and you’ll be taught by a team of female instructors.
Camp also includes a one-hour yoga session, lakeside meals, and all necessary specialty equipment. Private and shared lodging is available but isn’t included in the camp price.
Date: June 6-8 and September 5-7
Cost: $525
Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center, 51 NOC Way, Bryson City
2. Nike Adult Tennis Camp
Sharpen your tennis skills at a Nike Adult Tennis Camp this summer. This day camp features world-class singles and doubles instruction and coached match play. On day one, campers are evaluated by staff and sorted into groups based on skill level. (The camp is open to beginner, intermediate, and advanced tennis players aged 18 and older.)
Instruction takes place on eight outdoor clay courts at Sapphire Valley Resort, a picturesque resort nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Meals aren’t included at this camp, so be sure to pack your own lunch and plenty of water. You must also bring your own tennis racket and shoes.
Date: June 13-15, June 27-29, July 25-27, and October 10-12
Cost: $655
Location: Sapphire Valley Resort, 127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire
3. Blue Ridge Mountains Backpacking & Rock Climbing for Adults
Blue Ridge Mountains Backpacking & Rock Climbing for Adults is just one of several camps offered by Outward Bound, an outdoor education organization, in North Carolina this summer. Campers will traverse the Blue Ridge Mountains and learn valuable skills along the way. Experienced instructors teach campers how to cook outdoors and set up camp. Other skills you can expect to sharpen during this camp include first aid, knots, navigation, rappelling, and more.
This is one of the more rugged camp options in our roundup, with physically demanding activities and tent camping only.
Date: July 2-7 (Note that this session is for individuals aged 18-25, but there are other options later in the year for older adults.)
Cost: $2,325 to $2,790
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains
4. Grown-Up Girls Camp
Consider having your next girls’ weekend at Skyland Camp & Retreats. Grown-Up Girls Camp invites women 21 years and older to feel like a kid again, have fun with friends, and learn new things. Each day, campers can choose four or five activities to participate in. Options range from sports like swimming, pickleball, and tennis to creative pursuits like crafts, choir, and drumming.
Camp also includes a daily cocktail hour, s’mores around the campfire, games, and a talent show. Lodging options range from private cabins to a three-bedroom, two-bath home that sleeps six—perfect for groups of friends who want to share a space.
Date: July 23-27
Cost: $1,095
Location: Skyland Camp & Retreats, 317 Spencer St., Clyde
5. AfterHours: Adult Summer Camp
If you can’t set aside multiple days for a camp experience this summer, the Museum of Life + Science’s AfterHours: Adult Summer Camp is an excellent option. This one-day camp aims to recreate the summer camp experience from your childhood—but with a grown-up twist.
Activities vary from year to year, but past camps have featured inflatable obstacle courses, a watermelon-eating contest, liquid nitrogen s’mores, and a friendship bracelet-making station. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, so attendees must be at least 21 years old, and there will also be tasty treats from multiple food vendors to enjoy. Parts of the museum, including the main building, outdoor playscape Hideaway Woods, and Butterfly House, will be open during camp for guests to explore.
Date: July 24
Cost: Tickets go on sale in mid to late June
Location: Museum of Life + Science, 433 W. Murray Ave., Durham
6. Camp Wesser Adult Summer Camp
Camp Wesser Adult Summer Camp is a nostalgic adventure for adults who want to relive their favorite childhood camp experiences. The weekend kicks off with a bonfire and beers—the perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow campers. On day two, you can take part in a guided river rafting trip, go ziplining or paddleboarding, test your skills on the ropes course, make friendship bracelets, get your face painted, and decorate team flags.
At night, there is a bonfire social after dinner. The weekend ends with an awards ceremony with camp superlatives. There are multiple onsite lodging options, including bungalows and trailside cabins.
Date: August 8-10
Cost: $250-300
Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center, 13077 US-19, Bryson City
7. Adult Only Snorin’ Safari
Explore the North Carolina Zoo after hours during an Adult Only Snorin’ Safari. Camp out at the zoo and discover what the animals get up to at night after visitors leave. The zoo hosts multiple adults-only safaris throughout the summer, but the North American Adventure is the only one that hasn’t sold out yet. During this overnight camping experience, you’ll learn all about the zoo’s resident American red wolves, a critically endangered species, and how the zoo is working to ensure the animal’s survival.
Date: August 9-10
Cost: $95
Location: North Carolina Zoo, 4401 Zoo Pkwy., Asheboro
8. End of Summer Art Camp
Arts lovers can celebrate the end of summer with like-minded creative campers at Wine & Design’s adult play camp. End of Summer Art Camp spans five days, but you can attend as many sessions as you want. Wine & Design hosts multiple adult camps throughout the year, each with a different theme. As the name implies, the End of Summer Art Camp’s theme is summer, and therefore, you’ll paint images and make crafts related to the season. The camp is BYOB, so feel free to bring your favorite adult beverage to sip while you create.
Date: August 25-29
Cost: $75 per day or $300 for five days
Location: Wine & Design, 1201-D Raleigh Rd., Hwy. 54, Chapel Hill
9. Senior Adult Camp
While the first session of Camp Cheerio’s Senior Adult Camp technically begins on the first day of fall, we couldn’t resist including this camp in our roundup. The five-day camp features programming designed for active senior adults. Some popular scheduled activities include fishing, hiking, yoga, mini golf, canoeing, archery, and skeet shooting. Those who prefer less physically demanding activities can participate in arts and crafts or play board and card games.
Each day at camp is divided into two activity blocks—morning and afternoon—and you get to choose which activities you participate in during each block. Camp Cheerio also offers half- and full-day out-of-camp trips to nearby destinations, such as surrounding towns, a local vineyard, or Stone Mountain State Park.
Date: September 22-26, October 6-10, and October 20-24
Cost: $540
Location: Camp Cheerio, 1430 Camp Cheerio Rd., Glade Valley
10. Camp Blue Skies
Camp Blue Skies also takes place in the fall, not summer, but we couldn’t exclude it from this roundup. It is designed for adults who are 21 years or older and have developmental disabilities. It offers a traditional overnight camp experience and features classic camp activities, such as arts and crafts, nature walks, fishing, and bonfires.
Camp Blue Skies is hosted at YMCA Camp Harrison, which has a 140-acre lake, a mountainous forest with trails, open fields, athletic facilities, a nature education center, and more.
Date: October 4-8 and October 11-15
Cost: $500
Location: YMCA Camp Harrison, 7901 S. NC Hwy. 18, Boomer
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