Adult summer camps attract growing numbers of adults seeking nature and meaningful experiences

Adult summer camps are drawing increasing numbers of participants who seek rest, animal companionship and a sense of community.

At Huhtalandia farm in Kustavi, southwest Finland, an adult animal and rest camp illustrates a rising trend in which adults take time off at summer camps once considered the domain of children. The camp is run by Helena and Markus Huhtala, who initially organised camps only for children.

“We started getting comments from adults saying they wanted to join too,” Helena Huhtala said. “We thought we should give it a try, and the adult camps turned out to be very popular.”

The camps offer a break from schedules and simple activities centered on farm animals, which Huhtala believes provide a therapeutic contrast to daily roles and expectations. “Animals don’t judge people based on achievements or appearance,” she said.

Participants such as Päivi Keskitalo from Kerava have attended the Huhtalandia camps for three summers. She values the absence of obligations and responsibilities, though she does not usually take part in animal care, which is already a daily part of her life.

University of Turku researcher Juulia Räikkönen said adult camps appeal to a desire for meaningful experiences beyond entertainment. “Deep nature experiences, human encounters, self-development and doing good for others bring people a sense of meaning,” she said.

Räikkönen encourages people unsettled by the idea of adults attending camps to reflect on why it feels odd. “Behind every rising phenomenon that seems strange or confusing, there is usually something interesting,” she said.

The camps also evoke nostalgic childhood memories for some participants. Keskitalo compared her childhood camp experiences to those at Huhtalandia, describing them as moments in a personal bubble focused on a shared theme.

Erica Heikkilä, who runs a smallholding in Kälviä, said demand for adult camps has grown. Last year she held three camps; this summer she is running four. Her programmes allow participants to spend time with animals without rigid schedules and include lighthearted games to foster group bonding.

Räikkönen emphasised the importance of play for adult well-being. “Play should not be seen as something only for children or a waste of time for adults,” she said. “It offers opportunities for creativity, inspiration and well-being.”

Tuuli Lovén, who runs Tuomiston manor retreat in Sastamala, said retreat popularity has risen sharply over the past decade as more people seek respite from daily life.