Adult summer camps bring you back to fun, simple moments of childhood (2024)

Remember summer camp, where you made new friends and played all day?

Well, it’s not just for kids anymore.

Adult summer camps are being put on by a few Madison groups now, and experts say they can offer a chance to meet people, combat loneliness and learn a bit about yourself.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated loneliness among adolescents, young adults and older people,” said Bradford Brown, UW-Madison professor emeritus of human development.

Changes in work environments have made it difficult for 20-somethings especially to recover from that, he said.

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona put on its first adult summer camp this year. Camp Aldo raised money for children’s environmental education and programming.

Hundreds of adults recently participated in indoor and outdoor events at Aldo Leopold Nature Center meant to bring out their inner child. There were relay races, scavenger hunts, water balloons, fort building and catching tadpoles in the pond.

At the end of the day, campers wound down with a cozy campfire.

Tunes from the 1980s to the 2000s echoed across the 20-acre property. For a suggested donation of $50, camp participants congregated at vendor booths offering food and refreshments while planning their next activity.

Cara Erickson, Aldo Leopold Nature Center director of communications, saw participants getting outside of their comfort zone, reliving memories from their youth and making new ones.

“Children’s organizations, such as the Madison Children’s Museum, have been sharing the wonder of their mission with events geared toward adults and, similarly, this is a fun and exciting way to share what we do with adults, giving them an opportunity to reengage with their inner child,” Erickson said. “During summer camp, we often hear from parents, ‘I wish there was an opportunity like this for us.’

“We are already looking forward to next year,” she said.

The Madison Children’s Museum has held “Adult Swim” programming since 2011, and the latest was an adult summer camp. Those programs typically costs about $20 per event, said Kia Karlen, vice president of education and community engagement.

Over the years, she’s witnessed average adults almost transform into children by curling up in the corner of the museum with a children’s book, playing dress up and generally relearning their love of play.

“It’s not a typical part of any adult’s work day,” Karlen said.

At Camp Aldo, Kathryn Gallagher wove string into a bracelet using her two favorite colors: pink and purple.

“I grew up in Michigan, and so we went to overnight summer camps all the time,” Gallagher said as she continued to weave her bracelet.

“This is definitely what I would have done 20 years ago when I was 11. Gosh darn. It is a throwback. I feel like we are all here to just enjoy everyone’s company and make some friends — some adults friends — which is great.

“It is very nostalgic.”

Mya Lebakken and Corbin Schroeder, of Verona, had just finished participating in Camp Aldo’s sand digging event.

Lebakken said center staff buried trinkets in the sand, like toys and wooden things. Participants had 45 seconds to dig for treasures.

“We got a sticker,” she said.

The couple said they were invited by some friends.

“We were very intrigued,” Schroeder said. “You don’t hear about summer camps for adults.

“I would say sometimes in adult life you forget to have some fun. We’ve been able to tap back into our childhood.”

Kim Herman, who lives on Madison’s West Side with her husband, Mark, said the duo were at Camp Aldo to celebrate Mark’s 54th birthday.

“He’s 54 going on 12,” she said.