I visited a $600 women-only summer camp for adults that's skyrocketed in popularity — see why it had a 60,000-person waitlist

Brittany ChangSep 11, 2024, 00:08 IST

This year's annual Camp Social adult woman-only summer camp was fully booked in 10 minutes and had a 60,000-person waitlist, its founder Liv Schreiber told Business Insider.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Camp Social is an annual women-only summer camp for adults near New York City.
The three-day event in August saw 480 campers — four times as many attendees as last year's camp.

During a typical summer afternoon, Camp IHC, nestled in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains, accommodates more than 600 youth campers.

But in late August, there were no kids in sight. Instead, on the balmy Friday afternoon, about 500 adult women had arrived by the busload from New York City, ready to start their weekend at Camp Social.

It was the annual woman-only summer camp's second year in operation. And it's already making quite a splash in the growing industry.

The art of sharing bunks and meeting new friends over arts and crafts is no longer just for kids.

Camp Social's three-day camp in late August received about 480 guests.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Even luxury hotel companies are getting into the business of grown-up summer camp.

The Standard, Miami Beach, held its first Camp Standard in 2016 but didn't resume it as an annual consecutive event until 2023.The Standard, Miami Beach

But Camp Social isn't backed by a large hotel group.

Camp Social's 2024 retreat was held at Camp IHC, nestled in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

At this year's Camp Social, the cell reception was shoddy, the lake was pristine, and the air felt fresh — the opposite of what New York City, a 2.5-hour drive away, has to offer.

Activities included bracelet-making.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

At this year's Camp Social, the cell reception was shoddy, the lake was pristine, and the air felt fresh — the opposite of what New York City, a 2.5-hour drive away, has to offer.

'We don't even talk about jobs,' Schreiber told me during our walk around the property. 'Our phones are in the bunks. You don't hear anything about the political climate here.'

Attendees could forgo activities to relax in a hammock by the lake.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

'We don't even talk about jobs,' Schreiber told me during our walk around the property. 'Our phones are in the bunks. You don't hear anything about the political climate here.'

According to the camp's founder, most women showed up alone.

Schreiber told BI that most women went solo except for a mother-and-daughter duo, a handful of twins, and pairs of best friends.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

It's a great time to sell a solution to loneliness.

Most of Camp Social's guests attended alone.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

She cited 'exhaustion and fatigue' as the drivers of this change.

Activities included morning yoga.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

During our walk around the camp, attendees mobbed her with questions about the day's events.

Camp Social hosted a pool party for its attendees.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Sleepaway summer camps are nostalgic for Schreiber, who thinks fondly of the one she used to attend in the nearby Poconos.

Camp Social is exclusive to women over the age of 21.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

So far, it's been more than just 'some other people.'

Last year's camp was hosted about an hour away, Schreiber said.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The company's 2026 camp has started to accrue a large waitlist, although the team wants to keep the exact number private.

Campers could kayak or stand-up paddleboard during their free time.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Like any traditional summer camp, attendees slumbered in shared cabins organized by age.

The property had 40 shared cabins. The SkinCeuticals team had a dedicated cabin for on-site facials.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Schreiber said the point of camp isn't the activities or walking away with bags full of products (although it's undeniably a great perk).

The company plans to expand with more weekends, Schreiber told BI in an email.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

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I visited a $600 women-only summer camp for adults that's skyrocketed in popularity &mdash; see why it had a 60,000-person waitlist

The art of sharing bunks and meeting new friends over arts and crafts is no longer just for kids.

Even luxury hotel companies are getting into the business of grown-up summer camp.

But Camp Social isn't backed by a large hotel group.

At this year's Camp Social, the cell reception was shoddy, the lake was pristine, and the air felt fresh — the opposite of what New York City, a 2.5-hour drive away, has to offer.

'We don't even talk about jobs,' Schreiber told me during our walk around the property. 'Our phones are in the bunks. You don't hear anything about the political climate here.'

According to the camp's founder, most women showed up alone.

It's a great time to sell a solution to loneliness.

She cited 'exhaustion and fatigue' as the drivers of this change.

During our walk around the camp, attendees mobbed her with questions about the day's events.

Sleepaway summer camps are nostalgic for Schreiber, who thinks fondly of the one she used to attend in the nearby Poconos.

So far, it's been more than just 'some other people.'

The company's 2026 camp has started to accrue a large waitlist, although the team wants to keep the exact number private.

Like any traditional summer camp, attendees slumbered in shared cabins organized by age.

Schreiber said the point of camp isn't the activities or walking away with bags full of products (although it's undeniably a great perk).

I visited a $600 women-only summer camp for adults that's skyrocketed in popularity — see why it had a 60,000-person waitlist