Summer Camps for Adults

Summer Camps for Adults

Get outside with six all-adult adventures—from climbing to dance and paddling

written by Jen Sotolongo

Think summer camp is just for kids? Not so!

The adventures and fun don’t have to stop just because you’re an adult. From trail running to mountain biking, mountaineering and wilderness skills, there’s a camp for all types of outdoor adventures, with opportunities for beginners to experts and all skills in between, including programs specific to underrepresented communities, including women, people of color and LGBTQ+.

So while you’re planning your kid’s summer camp, here are a few to consider for yourself as well.

Aspire Adventure Running

A trail-running retreat at Mount St. Helens for LGBTQ+ athletes through Aspire Adventure Running.

Nick Danielson

Not all trail runners are motivated by performing in a race, some just want to run long distances in the wilderness. Aspire Adventure Running is just the solution. The company organizes single and multi-day running adventures in wilderness areas like the Goat Rocks, Mount Rainier and the North Cascades. Each trip provides logistical and emergency support, delicious meals and a community of runners in a backcountry experience. Aspire also strives to make running more inclusive through their affinity trips program by partnering with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ leaders and organizations to host running trips for those communities.

Camp Rahh

A dance class at Camp Rahh.

Camp Rahh

Nostalgic for a true summer camp experience? Look no further than Camp Rahh, an all-inclusive four-day weekend summer camp for adults, complete with cabins with bunk beds and a bus ride from Seattle, on a 47-acre site with a private beach and forest on Samish Island.

Activities include meditation, yoga, live music with dance parties, cooking classes, kayaking and more. Each experience is designed to challenge your comfort zone, alleviate the stress of daily life, and become more connected to your physical self. Cameras, phones, computers and other digital products are not allowed at Camp Rahh. The weekend is meant for disconnection from technology in order to connect with others, oneself, and the outdoors.

From outdoor activities (above) to chef-prepared meals (below), Camp Rahh is a true summer camp experience.

Camp Rahh

Camp Rahh

Norco Dirt Series

Norco Dirt Series 2022 Bellingham camp.

Jarrod Moore

Established in 2001 with a mission to get more women on bikes, Norco Dirt Series has grown into an organization that hosts mountain bike clinics and camps across the United States and Canada. While clinics are open to everyone, the mission remains to get more girls, women, and people from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities on bikes.

The weekend camps offer two full days of skills and drills practice with professional coaches, unlimited use of demo gear and maintenance clinics. The Bellingham camp features cross-country and all-mountain trails with opportunities for all levels of experience.

The Norco Dirt Series Bellingham camp helps women improve their mountain bike skills and confidence.

Jarrod Moore

Climbers of Color

Climbers of Color teaches climbing skills to people of color.

Lorenzo Carlos

On a mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the mountaineering and climbing community, Climbers of Color works to develop leaders of color through mentorship, technical training and access to resources like gear and scholarships. The Washington-based nonprofit hosts multi-day mountaineering and alpine climbing leadership courses that give people the skills to navigate mountain terrain and guided climbs up Mount Shuskan.

In addition, the organization also hosts regular meetups and events for the BIPOC community, including climb nights at local climbing gyms and rock climbing clinics.

Climbers of Color works to develop leaders of color through mentorship, technical training and access to resources like gear and scholarships.

Wilderness Awareness School

Wilderness Awareness School’s adult programs teach a variety of outdoors skills, including wildlife tracking.

Wilderness Awareness School

Recognized internationally as a leader in outdoor education, the Wilderness Awareness School based out of Duvall, operates programs for both children and adults with the goal of cultivating healthy relationships with nature, community, and self.

Adult programs range from weekend workshops that focus on wilderness first aid and wildlife tracking to the weeklong Basecamp Survival Weeks that teaches participants how to build shelters and fire, forage food, and survive with minimal supplies. The school also offers programs for women and women of color.

Learning survival skills at Wilderness Awareness School.

Wilderness Awareness School

Girls With Grit Two-Day SUP Clinic

Girls with Grit’s two-day standup paddling trip in Yakima River Canyon.

Mahre Media

Join Girls with Grit for a two-day standup paddle boarding adventure in the Yakima River Canyon between Ellensburg and Yakima. The clinic starts on a private lake in the canyon, first teaching participants SUP skills and building confidence on the flat water, before heading up river. Both days finish with a happy hour that includes drinks and appetizers, and lunch and swag bags are included as well.