My Weekend at Adult Summer Camp
A journalist explores the growing trend of adult summer camps designed to help grown women forge new friendships. The article examines the psychological need for community and the nostalgic appeal of recreating childhood social experiences.
Why it matters
It highlights the modern epidemic of loneliness and the creative, albeit unconventional, ways adults are seeking social connection.
We swam. We painted. We talked about mortality, then we danced to Smash Mouth.
All photos by Nancy Walecki August 30, 2026, 7 AM ET Share Save A t Camp Social , where grown women return to girlhood, friendship has no preamble. Within 15 minutes of meeting eight of the campers from Cabin 3, I learned this: In their 50s and 60s, they have no use for the menstrual discs in the camp swag bag; one of them found online dating so depressing after her divorce that she’s given up entirely; when they laugh, they pee a little; they feel like they’ve known one another for years, even though most of them met last night.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in