A recap of the adult sleepaway camp that reminded me what true in-person connection feels like — before social media existed.

Somewhere between making glitter hair clips, campfire smoke, and 90s throwback jams, the pressure to perform, produce, and monetize started to melt away. For the first time in months, I wasn’t thinking about algorithms, deadlines, or how my content might be perceived — only about what sounded the most fun to do next.

Allow me to take you back to last year. I had just resigned from a job that no longer felt aligned and was creating what I called a “sacred pause” — time to rest, recharge, and reorient to both my digital CEO life and my music. I wrote out a few intentions and non-negotiables for that season, but one in particular sticks out when it comes to what happened next. Tap into the version of you who has permission to be seen in her joy and vibrancy.

So, naturally, I did what any millennial in transition does — I opened my laptop and started googling. I looked up every kind of “adult summer camp” imaginable: surfing retreats, creative workshops, luxury hotels with curated itineraries. But one listing kept catching my eye — Camp Social.

An adult women’s sleepaway camp in the Poconos. 🍂🏕️

Instant nostalgia — and a little FOMO — entered the chat. The photos and videos radiated everything I was craving: friendship, presence, inclusivity, play. It felt like someone had taken the daydream in my head and turned it into a real-life actual weekend.

To my disappointment, Camp Social was completely sold out — not once, but again when I checked for 2025. I signed up for the waitlist anyway, fingers crossed🤞🤞🤞. And then… they added a second September weekend. SCORE.

Wish granted quicker than expected ✅✅✅

Obviously, I signed up. And, naturally, ordered the merch. 😇 The anticipation was real, because I’d done so many online events since the pandemic that I was craving something in-person, something that didn’t require me to be “on,” working, or planning the experience.

I didn’t really know what to expect once I got there, but I found myself hoping this would be one of those weekends that delivers far beyond the investment. The kind that fills your cup in ways you can’t quantify.

The Anticipation (a.k.a. “Night Before Camp” Energy)

The Camp Social team sent out a detailed packing list early on to help us plan our weekend wardrobe. I triedddddddd to buy things in advance… but true to form, last-minute Adriana kicked in. I definitely overpacked slightly (we needed to bring all the layers for varying temps!) and under-planned the theme outfits at the same time. Note to self: Camp Social 2026, extra effort required for theme nights.

And of course, there were definitely a few moments of “okay… what have I gotten myself into?” — I’m a sucker for experiences I find on Instagram, and occasionally those “this looks so fun!” moments can be a gamble. But this one? Not. Even. Slightly.

I’m an extrovert at heart, so I wasn’t nervous about showing up solo or meeting people, but I did wonder: Can you really make real friends in just two days?

Spoiler: you can! 🙂

The Journey (a.k.a. In Transit Energy & The Bus Ride)

A few days before camp, a little group-chat energy had already started brewing for those staying at the room block in Manhattan. A bunch of us ended up staying at that same Manhattan hotel, which made everything feel a bit like a grown-up version of a sleepover before a school trip — I even met a new friend that we had drinks from the hotel bar in one of our rooms while watching Bravo togeths & swapping stories — like it’s really that easeful.

The next morning, we all gathered for the bus pickup, which was so well organized. They even had Dig Inn catering for the ride….truly a delicious and nourishing pre-camp lunch moment.

And then came my favorite part: leaving the city.
Watching the Manhattan skyline fade through the bus window as music started playing, conversations sparked, and strangers slowly began to feel familiar.

There was this quiet buzz of excitement — that “I don’t know these people yet, but I already feel like I belong” vibe that only happens when everyone’s a little nervous, along for the ride, and fully in it together for the shared experience.

OK you’ve waited long enough… CAMP TIME.

The Arrival (a.k.a. “Welcome to Camp Social”)

Arrival energy: high. Counselors waiting to welcome you, hugs from the founder Liv, crispy fall air settling around us — all the best parts of the first day of school, but without any potential homework 😜.

You step off the bus into this vibrant energy as everyone starts figuring out their cabins, taking in the lake, the barn, the trees, the sunlight in that good vibes only kind of way. There’s this mix excitement as you wait to meet your bunk mates and wonder what the evening schedule might hold.

And then you get to your cabin… and there are little surprises waiting for you. Thoughtful touches that instantly make you feel special, seen, and cared for. Major main character energy meets girlhood.

Camp Social is the kind of place that reconnects you to your inner artist and creative (read: your inner child). A place that lets you play again, make new besties, slow down in nature, and actually disconnect from the fast pace we’re all so addicted to, even though we complain nonstop about being overstimulated by it.

I had so much fun making bedazzled hair clips, eating s’mores by the fire, and having a Hoedown Throwdown Hannah Montana moment. And that’s just a tiny slice of what we did.

In some ways, I want to tell you everything… and in another way, I want to keep some of the magic a surprise for when you go for yourself.

A Few Favorite Camp Moments

Impromptu photoshoots with new friends — everywhere, all weekend long.
Making arts and crafts like we were 13 again (bedazzled hair clips included).
A live band where we were screamingggggg 90s and 00s throwbacks at the top of our lungs.
Being a girl’s girl again — freely, unapologetically, joyfully.

But allow me to go deep for a minute.

This weekend, the masks were off. No one was cliquey or mean. You got to just be who you are, without the titles, labels, jobs, or status. Everyone belonged, because the whole environment was intentionally curated for connection.

Why this mattered to me:
I’m someone who usually feels like productivity > rest. There’s always a “why” behind the doing. If there’s no purpose/ROI, I can be guilty of skipping it. Sure, it keeps me focused…. but this weekend was a complete reset and reboot of allowing the humans being human to just be enough.

Camp Social helped remind me of that. Nobody cared if my candle was “the best candle.” Nobody judged if you chose archery over pool time, or if you wore makeup and the latest Alo set. It was freeing, refreshing, and so needed.

It felt like reclaiming a sense of aliveness — that excitement to simply be, explore, and experience life, nature, and connection while anchoring in that it really is about the journey, & la dolce far niente.

Before Camp / After Camp

I left Camp Social feeling so much more equipped to tap into that social, connective energy in my everyday life. It was like a reset — a refresher on being out and about again, making friends, and bringing people together no matter their background or story.

If You’re Thinking of Going

Don’t overthink it. If you feel even the slightest nudge of curiosity, go! It’s truly a no-brainer.

And if you’re craving your own version of that “reignite my spark” energy — a way to reconnect to your next chapter — but you’re not yet sure what experience you want to have… that’s exactly what my Pathfinding Sessions are for.

You get to decide what kind of experience you want.
Your version of freedom, creativity, community — whatever that looks like right now.

I’m here to help you carve out space to ask, “What do I need now?”
And then make intentional choices about what comes next — whether that’s adult summer camp or something completely different.

If Camp Social taught me anything, it’s that joy is something you can actually choose on purpose. And this weekend was proof that it’s never too late to play again.

It’s been about a month since I went, and sometimes it takes that long (or longer!) to put an experience into words… to integrate what happened after you’ve left home and done something new.

I can confidently say this: I’ve already hung out with a fellow camper here in Nashville — so the slogan “99% come solo and 100% leave as friends” is very, very true. 💓💓💓