Long muggy days, scraped knees, skin sticky with bug spray, secrets whispered across moonlit cabins, and new friendships that somehow got super deep so fast. If you ever went to summer camp as a kid, the memories can feel so vibrant, they’re almost in Technicolor.
Sure, it’s fun to reminisce about camp, but what if you could relive it?
We’ve got some good news: These days, women everywhere are ditching the stress of daily life in favor of camps explicitly built for grown-ups. We’re not talking just bug juice and bunk beds (unless you’re into that). Modern camp-style experiences for women are about tapping back into what lights you up, exploring new challenges, forming deep connections, and connecting with nature in a bold and joyful way. Think women-only retreats in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, mountain bike adventures through high-alpine trails and Swiss villages, a two-week trek of Tour du Mont Blanc, or a fishing trip for Women of Color through the rivers of a National Park.
If you’re craving a reset, consider this your sign to explore camp experiences designed just for adults. Still need a little convincing? Here are nine powerful reasons—shared by women behind these transformative adventures—why summer camp isn’t just for kids.

1. Connection is essential to our well-being.
“We’re social creatures, wired for connection,” says Kriste Peoples, Executive Director of Women's Wilderness, a nonprofit based in Colorado that offers outdoor programs designed to empower women, girls, and nonbinary individuals through nature-based experiences. Peoples says we’re in a well-documented epidemic of loneliness, and women in particular are feeling the effects. Connecting in the outdoors helps rebuild the bonds that often get buried under busy lives. And science backs her up: social connection is one of the strongest predictors of mental and physical well-being.
2. You get to unplug—from pressure, perfection, and your phone.
Daily life runs on constant input: texts, deadlines, errands, and expectations. Camp experiences pull the plug—literally. Research shows that even short stints in nature can reduce stress and anxiety. “We make it easy to focus on the moment,” says Saveria Tilden, CEO and Co-Founder of AdventurUs, an outdoor retreat company that creates inclusive, beginner-friendly adventure experiences designed by women, for women.
3. You can explore how strong you are.
“Our mountain bike skill camps are like summer camps for women and my favorite memories have been witnessing women face fears and believe in themselves on a whole other level,” says Lindsey Richter, founder of Ladies AllRide, an organization dedicated to growing the participation of women in mountain biking whether it’s navigating a tricky trail on two wheels, summiting a mountain at sunrise, or wayfinding in the woods, creating moments where the impossible can unlock a power within us that spills over into every part of our lives.
4. You can really rest.
There’s rest—and then there’s real rest. The kind that sinks into your bones and quiets your thoughts. “There’s something powerful that happens when women step away from the noise and demands of daily life and enter a space held by nature,” says Rue Mapp, founder of Outdoor Afro, a not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. “A camp environment offers that rare permission to slow down, breathe deeply, and be fully present. My husband often says it’s the only time he sees me truly at rest—and I believe him.”
5. You can have pure, unabashed fun.
Play is often dismissed as childish, but it’s actually vital for adult well-being. Research indicates that it boosts creativity, reduces stress, and enhances emotional resilience. “We’re serious about our fun,” says Peoples—and that fun isn’t just entertainment, it’s a portal to presence, flow, and discovery. In that spirit, Peoples says, “We think of it more as a return than a retreat.”
6. You can take care of yourself.
“As women, we move through life taking care of others both in work and personal lives,” says Tilden. “When was the last time you showed up in a space where someone was taking care of you?” At a camp, you’re off the proverbial care-for-others clock. “We have spent years working on creating an all-inclusive, intentional space where we take care of everything and, most importantly, the women who join us!” she says. This frees women up to relax, connect, and pour all that caregiving back into their own cups.
7. You can find the joy of female connection.
Friendships between women are some of the most meaningful experiences we can have. Studies show that when we connect with each other, something happens on a cellular level. We destress and heal. Ritcher says she sees this firsthand: “Surrounded by supportive women and the grounding power of nature, something beautiful happens: confidence grows, walls come down, and a sense of community lifts everyone up. It’s more than just a getaway, it’s a chance to come home to yourself.”

8. You can experience awe.
Research shows that when we’re immersed in nature, we can experience true awe—a feeling that’s been linked to reduced stress, boosted mood, and even lower markers of inflammation. It’s your body’s way of saying, this matters. “There’s just something about that spicy steam rising into the open air, a picnic table spread with laughter and flavor—it feels like a celebration of simplicity and joy,” says Mapp.
9. You bring it all back home
Perhaps the best part? You don’t leave camp empty-handed. Whether it’s a new skill, a deeper self-trust, or a reminder to play more often, you return with something real. “Connection and joy don’t need a forest,” Richter says. “They live in how we show up every day.” Summer camp simply reminds us how.
If you want to book a summer—or any season—camp experience, we have just the thing for you: check out our calendar of outdoor camps for women, featuring the incredible Empowerment Partners. (Please note that while many of the camps listed are for adults, some are targeted to children, as well.) Oh, and don’t forget to pack your Merino Performance Innerwear.
Have you ever been to a camp as an adult? We’d love to hear about your experience. Message us anytime at @BRANWYNofficial or drop us a note at info@branwyn.com. Happy travels!