We deserve some summertime memories just like we did when we were kids!
We may not get two months off anymore, but that doesn’t mean summer has to pass us by. Whether you’re planning a full-on weeklong escape or just carving out a long weekend, these adult summer camp activities are the perfect excuse to unplug, reconnect with yourself (and others), and squeeze out every drop of joy from the sunshine season.
Ready to feel like a kid again — with better snacks, cooler gear, and maybe a little wine? Let’s dive in.
14 Adult Summer Camp Activities in the Southeast
☀️ 1. Morning Tennis Camp
Trade your morning gym session for time on the court. With a structured tennis clinic, you can hone your skills, meet new people, and get a killer cardio workout — all before work in the morning.
Vibes: Fresh-cut grass, early sun, post-practice iced tea or coffee
Where: Local tennis clubs! I booked mine through Charlotte City Tennis
⛵️ 2. Adult Sailing School
No experience needed — just a love for the water and a sense of adventure. Learn to sail and explore coastlines with confidence. This adult summer camp activity is on my bucket list!
Vibes: Windblown hair, dockside sunsets, saltwater freedom
Where:
- Charleston Sailing School – Charleston, SC
- SailTime – Locations in Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas
- Offshore Sailing School – Ft. Myers, Captiva Island, and St. Petersburg, FL
- Lanier Sailing Academy – Atlanta, GA
- Emerald Coast Yachts Sailing School – Pensacola, FL
🌊 3. White Water Rafting Retreat
Perfect for thrill seekers or groups of friends looking to bond over paddles and river rapids. I’ve booked a couple of adult summer camp-style activities at the last bullet on this list this season!
Vibes: Adrenaline rush, riverside bonfires, team shenanigans
Where:
- Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) – Bryson City, NC
- Ace Adventure Resort – Oak Hill, WV
- Wildwater Rafting – Multiple Locations (NC, SC, TN, GA)
- French Broad Adventures – Hot Springs, NC
- The Whitewater Center – Charlotte, NC
Keep your skin protected at camp! Explore our reef-safe SPF guide for non-toxic sunscreens perfect for summer adventures.
🏄♀️ 4. Learn-to-Wakeboard Camp
Never tried wakeboarding? There’s no better time. Lake days, water skills, and the kind of joy that makes you laugh until your stomach hurts.
Vibes: Boat hair, big splashes, cooler full of snacks
Where:
- The Boarding School – Orlando, FL
- Terminus Wake Park – Cartersville, GA
- Revolution Cable Park – North Fort Myers, FL
- Lake Martin – Alexander City, AL
🏕️ 5. Nature Reset Camp
Unplug from screens and replug into the present moment. Think cold plunges, forest hikes, morning breathwork, and meals around a fire.
Vibes: Barefoot walks, early sunrises, journal pages filled
Where:
- Visit Pisgah National Forest – North Carolina
- Elohee Retreat Center – Sautee Nacoochee, GA
- Little St. Simons Island – Georgia Coast
- WildAbundance – Asheville, NC
- Suwannee River Retreat – Live Oak, FL
🔥 6. Throwback Camp Weekend
Go full nostalgia mode — canoeing, capture the flag, archery, bunk beds, crafts, and no responsibilities. But this time, with wine and gourmet food.
Vibes: S’mores and stories, group games, retro T-shirts
Where: Camp No Counselors (multiple U.S. cities)
🚴 7. Mountain Biking + Brewery Weekend
Conquer mountain trails by day and swap stories over local craft beers at night. Perfect for a group trip or solo recharge.
Vibes: Trail dust, laughter, local IPA flights
Where:
- Asheville, North Carolina – Consider putting this at the top of your list! Asheville needs tourism to help recover from Hurricane Helene
- Brevard, North Carolina – I camped here for Halloween one year and loved it!
- Urban Wilderness – Knoxville, Tennessee
- Santos Trail System – Ocala, Florida
🎨 8. Creative Escape Camp
Flex your creative muscle with a hands-on workshop — painting, pottery, songwriting, photography, or writing. No experience required.
Vibes: Messy hands, creative flow, sunset inspiration
Where: Local artist residencies or studios
🐎 9. Ranch Retreat
Saddle up for a different pace of summer. Horseback riding, big sky sunsets, and hearty meals in wide-open spaces. Check out a full list of Southeast Ranch accommodations and options here.
Vibes: Dusty boots, fresh air, campfire coffee
Where:
- Cataloochee Ranch – Maggie Valley, NC
- Seventy-Four Ranch Bed & Breakfast – Jasper, Georgia
- Southern Cross Guest Ranch – Madison, Georgia
- Shangrila Guest Ranch – South Boston, Virginia
🧘 10. Mind-Body Wellness Camp
Yoga at sunrise, nourishing food, breathwork, and sound healing. Think retreat meets reset — an elevated take on a traditional adult summer camp.
Vibes: Total realignment, slow mornings, soul nourishment
Where:
- Heartwood Yoga Institute – Bradenton, Florida
- Elohee Retreat Center – Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia
- Art of Living Retreat Center – Boone, North Carolina
- Skyterra Wellness Retreat – Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
- Check with your local yoga or pilates studios!
🌲 11. Wild Foraging & Outdoor Cooking Camp
Learn to identify edible plants, mushrooms, herbs, and then cook them in open fire pits or rustic kitchens.
Vibes: Earthy vibes, food as connection, primal skills
Where:
- Wild Abundance – Asheville, NC
- No Taste Like Home – Asheville, NC
- Herbal Lodge Weekend at Herb Farm – Citra, Florida (by Florida School of Holistic Living)
🛶 12. Canoe + Camping Expedition
Load up your canoe and set off on a multi-day paddle through quiet rivers, lakes, or backcountry waterways on these adult summer camp expeditions.
Vibes: Still water mornings, packed dry bags, camp coffee
Where:
- Edisto River Canoe + Treehouse Trip – South Carolina | Outfitter: Carolina Heritage Outfitters
- Blackwater River State Forest – Florida Panhandle | Outfitter: Adventures Unlimited or bring your own canoe
- Congaree National Park – South Carolina
- Tennessee River Blueway – Chattanooga, Tennessee
🔧 13. DIY & Woodworking Camp
Get hands-on and build something beautiful. Think power tools, paint, wood, and learning skills that last a lifetime.
Vibes: Sawdust, pride in your project, handmade souvenirs
Where: Look for weekend builder workshops and community studios
🔭 14. Stargazing + Astronomy Camp
Stay up late, unplug your phone, and explore the skies with astronomers and telescopes.
Vibes: Sleeping under the stars, campfire convos, feeling tiny in the best way
Where: Dark Sky Parks (UT, AZ, TX), observatory programs, National Parks with stargazing programs
- Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) – Rosman, North Carolina
- Barefoot Astronomy Camp – Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
- Georgia State Parks – Dark Sky Programs (e.g., Stephen C. Foster State Park)
- Lookout Observatory – Asheville, North Carolina
Your Inner Child is Going to Love This!
Whether you’re craving adventure, connection, creativity, or just a chance to play again, adult summer camp is the ultimate way to reclaim joy and presence in your summer season.
And remember: you don’t need two months off to make unforgettable memories — just a little intention and maybe a sleeping bag.
Leave a Reply