DH and I just signed up for a one-week summer immersion language program at Concordia Language villages in Minnesota. We will stay in cabins, eat (yummy) food specific to the language we are studying, do crafts, play games, - you know, campy stuff! They are non-profit and have been around since 1961, and it looks like such a fun way to improve language skills. Which got me to thinking… what other “summer camp” opportunities are out there for adults?
And has anyone ever attended an adult session there? I have read reviews, but all have been from the kids or family camps…
There are the hippie-retreat type places. I’ve thought about signing up for workshops at Esalen but haven’t done it. Some of the hiking + photography or hiking + watercolor week-long seminars look like fun.
I have worked at CLV, as we call it. My kids begged to attend years ago, and I ended up spending a week or two working as a camp nurse for them, off and on for close to 20 years now. The offpring are beyond that, though one has talked about working there this summer. I keep going back, because the place makes me smile! Music everywhere, interesting folk working there, and it fulfills my travel needs without having to leave the Midwest. Not sure about the adult programs as much, but it is intrinsically a very creative place that makes language fun. Which language are you taking? The food can be good, to rolling on the floor amazing, depending on the chef and cuisine. The physical environment is beautiful at the main sites, which are designed in culturally appropriate style.
Just want to edit that I love the camp environment, whether CLV or elsewhere. My dreams are to attend: Omega Institute, Blue Lake Chamber Music camp, and there are some Appalachian music and craft camps in West Virginia.
Bennington College has a music camp for adults. I know someone who plays bassoon there for a week every summer.
We will be doing the Spanish program in late August. Both of us speak Spanish comfortably at an intermediate level, but could benefit from a refresher. The only real complaints I saw were from a few kids who complained that other kids didn’t stick with the “no English” rule. Since we are adults, I don’t think it’ll be much of a problem and it doesn’t bother me either way. I have always thought that it would be fun to do summer camp as an adult and now I can try it!
(Maybe a dude ranch next year?)
I was going to suggest a dude ranch as another “camp for adults” type of place. Always wanted to go to one, but never have. The super-luxury ones look like fun but they are expensive.
My kids went to CLV camps for years – they loved it! We went to a high end dude ranch for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, too. That was really fun! I assume some of those all-in resorts in warmer climates are a bit summer campish. University of Michigan has a family camp for alums (have never done it, but it looks like a good time). I also go on a women’s retreat for a long weekend (there is a winter and a fall one) at a summer camp in northern MN where one of my kids went for a few summers.
Campbell School in rural western North Carolina – 2hr from Asheville or Atlanta — teaches traditional American arts and crafts: blacksmithing, glasswork, weaving, cooking, dancing, printmaking, jewlery making, carving, furniture…There are weekend and weeklong residential classes throughout the year.
I’ve heard about various art and writing retreats and may do a little web surfing later. Fun topic!
ETA: Greenbutton, a friend gave me a thick catalog/brochure for a place in NC years ago that she wanted to go. I don’t have it anymore, but I bet that was it! Will look later when I can devote more time.
intparent - what was the name of the dude ranch? I am thinking ahead for family fun… 
Greal lakes Mom, DD (now in Grad school) went to Blue lake camp one summer for Orchestra and really loved it…
In searching*, a good springboard is probably the term retreat for 3 days to anywhere up to 8 weeks. For half day up to three days grown-ups often use the terms festival, conference, convention, or fair.
ETA: * not specifically in answer to post #10, which I’m just seeing now, more as in response to the initial post.
SCOR offers orchestra camps for adults and Camp Point Counterpoint has a chamber music workshop for adults. I have no personal experience but they look good online!
I’ve attended workshops at Omega for several years now, with topics ranging from Bootcamp for Goddesses to Afroflow Yoga. I’ve also attended Mainewoods Folk Dance Camp.
Accustomed to workshops and classes, but this will make you laugh. When I think of camps for adults what pops into my mind is nudist camp. 
I love the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite. Hike around 7 miles. Splash in a water fall or lake. Sometimes ranger programs. Talk about the day’s adventures with the other hikers. Fantastic.
Here’s a database of conferences for writers:
http://www.pw.org/conferences_and_residencies
Some of my friends have gone to adult running or triathlon camps for years- usually not into their 60s though.
The dude ranch we went to was called Eaton’s Ranch. Great fun! Not cheap…
Also, I went to Blue Lake as a teen.
Does anyone have any experience with adult summer band camps? Montgomery College (MD) – when it was knows as Montgomery Junior College – used to offer a week-long brass summer workshop. It was primarily attended by high school kids, but there was no age limit and there were a couple of adults who used to join in. I loved this (attended during high school, and at least one college year back in the late 70’s) but I don’t think they do this anymore. Master classes with brass players from the National Symphony, brass quartet/quintet work, and a giant brass band.
I’ve googled and found some programs in MI, ND, and PA, but I’d love to hear from someone with experience with any of these…