anoeing, bunk beds, camp fires, newfriendships – if you are thinking kid’ssummer camp, think again. It’s time to

make room in the dorm kids as mom is moving in.For over 100 years, camps have catered exclusive-

ly to children. In fact camps were conceptualized asa way for boys from wealthy families to learn self-reliance. Since then summer camps have becomepart of the North American way of life with parents

from all walks of life wanting their kids to experi-ence the outdoors, learn new skills and develop newfriendships.

But after 100 years, change is in the air. Not con-tent with living vicariously through their children’scamp experiences, adults are starting to demand acamp experience of their own and the camps areresponding. Camp Muskoka in Bracebridge is onesuch camp which, after constant requests from the

mothers of campers, has started to offer women’sweekend retreats.

According to general manager Joy Cantle-Jones,it just made sense. “We were constantly beingasked why the kids get to have all the fun,” she says.“We couldn’t come up with a good reason, so threeyears ago we started to offer fall getaways forwomen. It was instantly popular and has beengrowing every year since.”

Sandra Fripps has been bringing her daughter toCamp Muskoka for years. “She was having such agreat time here, I wanted to find out what she hadexperienced, she says. “But it turns out for me, thepeace, quiet and relaxation are the things I amappreciating more than anything.”

This is a common sentiment amongst the ladiesat the weekend who range in age from 22-72 yearsof age. They come from all walks of life and allsocio-economic groups to join together for a week-end of fun and relaxation.

Many of the women just need a break from run-ning around and taking care of everyone else,according to weekend co-ordinator Sylvia Iden (orRaven, as she is exclusively known around camp).“Here they don’t have to think about anyone butthemselves, they don’t have to cook and they canparticipate or not participate in whatever theychoose,” she says.

Non-participation suits Pamela Ripple fromAurora, perfectly. Her children come to the camp inthe summer for fun but she uses the weekend toreconnect with childhood friends who now live in

58 October 2012 www.muskokamagazine.com

For adults only...Article and photographs by Louise Parkinson

C

Sandra Fripps came to camp to experience what her daughter had been enjoying foryears (above). Denise Revoy is a three year veteran of the weekend (right).

Kids shouldn’t

always be the ones

to have all the fun

www.muskokamagazine.com October 2012 59

The canoes and kayaks are available for use(above). Anna McConnack (aka Fauna) educates thewomen about the aerial park(right).

Campers gather for their lunchtime meal. It may look like any other camp kitchen but the camp fare is anything but ordinary.

other cities. “We don’t sign up for anything,” shesays. “We just want to relax and enjoy each other’scompany. There are no kids, no stress and no deci-sions to be made. It’s perfect.”

For others, however, the opportunities to chal-lenge and push themselves are too much to resist.Denise Revoy from Orangeville is a third year vet-eran of the weekend.

“For me it’s all about facing your fears,” she says.“You get opportunities to do things you wouldnever do in your everyday life. I was on a horse

today. I haven’t been on a horse for 25 years beforeI came here. Now I’m climbing a rock wall. It’s chal-lenging of course, but also very rewarding.”

Monique Michard of Bowmanville agrees. “I’mhere to challenge myself physically,” she says, hang-ing from her harness halfway up the sheer rock face.“It’s great to be able to take yourself to the limit. Igo home feeling like I have really achieved some-thing.”

On the surface, the weekends seem like any othercamp experience. The accommodation is bunk

rooms with 10 or more people and participants dorock climbing, canoeing, swimming, archery, hik-ing, horseback riding, biking and the ever-popular,aerial park. They sit around the campfire at nightand sing. But that’s where the similarities end.

Instead of baked beans, they dine on filet mignonwith mushroom jus and scalloped potatoes.

Instead of scavenger hunts, they learn the finerpoints of yoga. And instead of running through themud, they have a mud mask applied to their face.They spend the weekend being massaged, learningZumba and finding ways of living their ultimatelife. This definitely isn’t the Girls Guides.

According to the American Camp Association,more than half a million adults attend camp eachyear. From outdoor adventures to spa getaways,leadership practice to team building, adult campoffers a range of experiences.

In a quest for lifelong learning, many people nowcome to camp wanting to learn or develop specificskills. From music to sports, cattle ranching to per-forming arts, weight loss to spiritual enlightenment,it seems if you have an interest, there’s a campsomewhere for you.

Camping kid style does come with its issues,however. Michaud says she has long grown out ofdorm rooms and bunk beds. “The snoring drivesyou crazy,” she says. “And sharing the bathroomwith 10 other women can get pretty frustrating.”Others complain of excessive noise. They all agreehowever, that the inconveniences are minor com-pared with what they get out of the weekend.

“Most people come to find some peace and relax-

60 October 2012 www.muskokamagazine.com

Sharon Doherty (right) shares a joke with her bunk mates. The women gathered atCamp Muskoka to enjoy a women’s only weekend organized by the camp.

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www.muskokamagazine.com October 2012 61

ation,” explains Iden. “But they go home with a lotmore than that. They learn how to be a kid again.They gain confidence in trying new things andoften make lifelong friendships.”

Around Muskoka more and more kid’s camps areoffering these getaway weekends. Camp Wenonahand Camp Arrowhead both run successful women’sweekends with spa-like activities as well as the tra-ditional camp experiences, and Camp Muskoka isnow thinking of adding a men’s weekend to its line-up.

So there’s no need to sit back and let the kidshave all the fun anymore. Dig out your old sleep-ing bag, grab your hiking shoes and whatever youdo, don’t forget to pack the earplugs.

Monique Michaud enjoyed pushing herlimits and trying new things at camp.

Support for fellow team members is animportant part of camp life.

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