Burdened by way too much adulting, I recently made a sacred promise to myself: Every year, I shall take myself to summer camp.
But where? A quick search for “adult summer camp” yielded few results that felt quite right. Then, I saw it: JOY CAMP.
Their description immediately hooked me: “Three Days • No Phones • Real Presence • Pure Play.” Even better, the event relied on three foundational pillars: “Grown Ups Only • Sober • Platonic.”
As the Founder of Cuddle Sanctuary, an organization that has hosted hundreds of sober, platonic events, I know firsthand the magic that happens when you bring people together under those guidelines. And as someone actively trying to re-pattern her habits to keep her phone turned off, I knew my values aligned really well with this camp.
I bought my ticket, cashed in a barrel of frequent flyer miles, and headed to North Carolina. Upon arrival, I found a river ready for plunging, a lodge perfect for dancing, and a gaggle of like-minded, open-hearted people from all generations.
The skilled (and wonderfully zany) facilitators were easily 25 years younger than me—and good for me for putting myself in their capable hands! Within the first 24 hours, our group gelled into a creative, happy organism. The cohesion and spontaneous silliness that ensued was truly amazing to experience.
Admittedly, as a trauma-informed, inclusive-minded facilitator, it was occasionally a challenge to witness our leaders do things in their own unique way. Yet, it was simultaneously refreshing to step away from the careful guardrails I’ve become so accustomed to holding. Safety was not my responsibility. I could just be.
Take a look at the photo above: I am right at the top of a human pyramid that came together almost entirely non-verbally. From the spark of the idea to the finished pyramid, the whole thing took about three minutes!
A few days after returning home to Los Angeles, I finally signed up for a creative class I’ve been circling around for years. The choice feels solid, expansive, and like the beginning of a brand-new adventure. It feels like a genuine breakthrough.
I made an oath to take myself to summer camp every year. I am so incredibly glad that in 2026, I kept my promise.