Why Grown Women Are Reliving Childhood at Adult Summer Camp

Grown women find friendship at Camp Social, a weekend-long adult summer camp in the Poconos designed to recapture the ease of childhood bonding. Over 400 women, ages 21 to 80, gathered at the former children’s sleepaway camp for activities like archery, friendship bracelet-making, and choreographed dances to Cher and Shania Twain. The camp, founded by 29-year-old Liv Schreiber in 2023, focuses exclusively on helping women forge new connections.

The campers, many of whom arrived alone, quickly formed bonds. In Cabin 3, ten women—some in their 50s and 60s—shared stories about dating post-divorce, laughing so hard they sometimes lost bladder control, and rediscovering the simplicity of making friends. Jackie Prendergast, a retiree in the group, compared their journey to a flamingo regaining its pink hue after losing pigment during reproduction. "We’ve lost our color, but we’re going to get it back," she said.

Camp Social’s founder, Liv Schreiber, created the event after her own matchmaking ventures went viral. Her Instagram account and matchmaking parties evolved into this structured weekend experience. Schreiber’s camp is one of the few all-female adult summer camps focused solely on friendship. The waitlist now exceeds 60,000 people.

The camp’s activities ranged from structured games to free time by the lake. Some women attended yoga on paddleboards or danced at the Saturday night disco. Others stuck to archery or lounging by the pool. Schreiber’s goal was to make friendship as effortless as it felt in childhood. "Who wants to meet a new friend?" she asked at the opening dance, to which hundreds of hands shot up.

Many attendees were navigating life transitions—new motherhood, empty nesting, retirement, or divorce. Despite having large social circles, some struggled with loneliness. The average camper was 39, a demographic often balancing childcare and eldercare. For those who attended, the camp offered a rare chance to connect without the pressures of adult responsibilities.

Cabin 3’s camaraderie was immediate. Eight of the ten women stuck together, swapping stories and inside jokes. Vicki Petroski, a recent retiree, joked about being a "10" instead of a "five" at archery. Sandi Sullivan considered repurposing her camp bandana into a halter top, evoking her '70s childhood.

Camp Social’s success reflects a growing demand for structured social experiences for adults. While co-ed camps exist, Schreiber’s female-focused model prioritizes emotional connection over party atmospheres. For many, the camp delivered exactly what it promised: a weekend where friendship came as naturally as it did in childhood.

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