Summer camp revisited

Photo credit: Urbanite

Canoe Bay's Dream Cottage is a very upscale version of a camp bunk.

By Jessie Pascoe

Special to amNewYork

Traditionally restricted to childhood, summer camp’s bucolic draw has more and more adults making their vacation a sleepaway experience. To cater to these forever-young vacationers, a slew of “grown-up” camps and activities have sprouted up, offering “mature” campers the chance to learn a new skill, perfect an old one or just indulge in some rustic relaxation. Here’s a sampling of some top adult camps.

Pura Vida Surf Camp

Located in the Costa Rican village of Malpais, Pura Vida offers week-long surf sessions for a mainly all-female crowd. Owned by Tierza Davis, a former dot-comer from San Francisco, Pura Vida offers daily surfing and yoga lessons, as well as gourmet meals, luxe cabin accommodations and hour-long massages. No wonder Davis admits that some guests take up long-term residency in town. $1995-$2595 for seven nights/six days ($200-off summer bookings); puravidaadventures.com

Canoe Bay

For those who want to forget early camp memories of mosquito mobs and makeshift outhouses, there’s Canoe Bay. Twenty-four Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired cabins sprawled across 280 acres of pristine Wisconsin wilderness, a strict no-kids policy, fireside massages, chef-led foraging expeditions, gourmet s’mores and artisan cheese tours promise to make you happy you’ve left childhood behind. Rooms start at $350; canoebay.com

The Inn at Manitou’s tennis clinic

Nestled on the banks of Ontario’s Manitouwabing Lake, The Inn at Manitou seems worlds away from the daily grind, even though its only 150 miles north of Toronto. One of North America’s top tennis resorts, the Inn at Manitou’s tennis clinic offers top-notch instruction in state-of-the-art facilities. The clinic takes all levels. Rooms start at $299 per night; manitou-online.comThe Tyler Place Family Resort

A summer camp for all ages, Tyler Place offers both adults and kids a chance to unwind across lush Vermont forestland. Grown-ups can indulge in more than 20 athletic activities, from diving in swimming holes to trap shooting, while those interested in cultural activities find organized Quebec wine tours and jazz nights with local musicians. Kids keep busy, too, with traditional and innovative camp activities every morning and evening. Housing options vary, but history buffs will appreciate the Elmwood cottage, a historic building built in the early 1890s. Rates start at $111 per night for adults and $78 for kids; tylerplace.com

Idyllwild Arts Academy

You would be hard pressed to find a more inspiring setting than Idyllwild Arts Academy’s San Jacinto Mountain range. Keep in mind this is not your average arts and crafts instruction. Classes as specific as Hopi Tewa pottery to as broad as “Mixed Media Art Buffet” await those eager to forget their 9-to-5 city job and embrace the California woods. Idyllwild’s child and young adult programs also make Idyllwild an ideal getaway for the whole creative clan. Rates vary with accommodation packages; idyllwildarts.org

Know Before You Go:

Camps usually offer discounts during their slower months, so make sure to ascertain these dates before deciding on your vacation schedule. Can’t find any deals online?

Sometimes a simple email or phone call can yield better, more up-to date information.

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