Women’s Wellness Weekend at Camp Ernst in Burlington, KY
From Friday, September 21 to Sunday, September 23, a friend and I spent the weekend at Camp Ernst for their Women’s Wellness Weekend. Camp Ernst is normally a summer camp for kids, owned by the YMCA, so a lot of people I know went there when they were younger. However, I never really did camp growing up, so I’d never been. A few years ago, I realized that Camp Ernst held a camp for one weekend in September, just for adult women (so basically, adult summer camp), and I knew I had to go. The last time my friend and I tried to plan this, it didn’t work out, so thankfully we were able to go this year and let me tell you, I will back for sure!
Now, if you’re thinking adult summer camp – I can run around and drink all I want – that’s not the case. This is basically a kid’s camp experience, only as adults. We all arrived on Friday evening and found our “cabins” which were really rooms in the large building that held the dining room, showers, a couple lounge areas, etc. All the rooms did have a door that led straight outside and we slept on bunk beds, so it was basically a cabin. We played a getting-to-know you game and then we went down to the bonfire to make some yummy s’mores. May I now suggest switching your chocolate out for a Reese’s cup? So good!
Saturday was the only full day of adult summer camp, so we got up and got ready, and then headed into the dining area for breakfast. All the meals are served family style and boy was it delicious! So nice to not have to worry about the food all weekend. We had five sessions throughout the weekend, and these were sessions we had chosen beforehand (you put them in order of preference for each one, just in case, but my friend and I both got everything we wanted).
Our first session was horseback riding, which I’d never done. They asked if anyone was nervous, and I raised my hand, so they gave me Sugar, who’s a bit slower. Plus, I had a worker in front of me and behind me as I went on our trail ride, so that helped me be less nervous. I had a really good time – even if Sugar wanted to walk in the grass at the end and rammed my knee into a metal box. Oh, and getting off the horse, I kind of fell and landed on my back. Let’s just say I had pain and bruises for days. Despite that, I’m glad I had the opportunity to finally ride a horse and the actual trail ride was fun!
My second session at adult summer camp was Crafts, and my friend had something else, so we split ways. I made a bracelet (not the way you’re supposed to, but it turned out cute), drew a picture, and made a couple candles. It wasn’t supposed to rain on Saturday, but unfortunately, it was a bit of a light rain from the afternoon on. We ate lunch, and then despite the rain, my friend and I went down to the Lakehouse, the only other session we had together. We rode on an Aquacycle; kind of like a giant type of bike in the water. Man, you really work your leg muscles! We didn’t stay out too long though as it was raining still.
We went back to the dining/sleep building and hung out, taking some time to rest and read. My next session was Chocolate Covered Everything and a guy and his son came in to show a bunch of us how to make various chocolate goodies like buckeyes, chocolate covered pretzels (use a tweezer to dunk them in the chocolate!), and more. We all got to try some samples as he made them and they cooled off, and we also learned a lot of little facts, like the one about dipping pretzels. If this is what adult summer camp is all about, I’m sold! It was a lot of fun, and at the end, he put out bags so we could fill them up with some treats. I did take some for home, but I ate more at the actual camp – especially since dinner was up next.
After dinner, there were a variety of things to do. I hope to go back to Camp Ernst next year, so I’m sure I’ll do more on Saturday, but with the rain, my friend and I decided to just stay inside and read. There were areas outside the rooms on both sides of the building that had chairs/couches you could relax on and they lit the fire, so it was really cozy to just relax and read. My friend was in the midst of the Shades of Magic trilogy, and I was reading Vicious, both by V.E. Schwab. Events going on that night however were a scavenger hunt (which the four people in our cabin won, since they teamed up together, and who were really nice women!), a movie (you had to go outside to a new building for this – it was The Greatest Showman) and another bonfire.
The next morning was pretty casual. We all had one last session but mine was Crafts again, and I knew there weren’t any more crafts I wanted to do, so I just hung out and finished Vicious. My friend and I packed up and then for lunch, the dining room had bagged lunches out for everyone to take or eat there. We decided to just eat the food there and then left for home!
I had a fantastic time, and I highly recommend looking into adult summer camp where you live. I’d start with the YMCA as they certainly know how to plan a lovely weekend, as they did at Camp Ernst.
In case you’re curious, a little break down of the food we were served at adult summer camp (there were drinks and snacks available throughout the day on Saturday too in case you were hungry between meals). Honestly, though, the meals were pretty large and with it being family style, you just kept passing things around and they were always refilling plates so you got as many servings as you wanted!
Friday: s’mores by the bonfire (my friend and I both got two of them).
Saturday Breakfast: Eggs, pancakes, bacon, fruit, cereal, oatmeal, etc.
Saturday Lunch: Grilled cheese, tomato soup, etc.
Saturday Dinner: Make your own tacos and super yummy chocolate chip cookies.
Sunday Breakfast: eggs, french toast, sausage, fruit, cereal, oatmeal, etc.
Sunday Lunch: Bagged food – lunch meat on croissants, pasta salad, bag of chips, apple.
Can you say…YUM?! Also, the entire weekend was only $150 to attend – not bad at all!
Have you ever gone to adult summer camp? Come learn what it's all about #ontheblog Click To Tweet
What a cool thing to do! I wouldn’t mind attending something like this myself. It’s so great that it mimicked a traditional camp experience.
This is pretty cool! I went to band camp every year in high school (which was actually AT a summer camp). We practiced for 9-10 hours a day but there was a little time for adventuring or swimming in the lake. We also ate all our meals in the mess hall and slept in cabins. I enjoyed it. I’d love to do a real summer camp experience, though!
Wow! Sounds so awesome! I know a few camps around here have family camps in the fall, which sounds like a fun weekend away to me. I like that you had a lot of freedom in that you didn’t have to do everything you’d signed up for, but too bad it rained!
That sounds like so much fun! I haven’t been to camp since I was a very young teenager!
That sounds like such a blast! And a s’more with a Reese’s cup??? YUM. That sounds wonderful. I love that you did a balance of group time and relaxing/staying-in time too.
omg I would have totally loved this! I’ll check my local YMCA for this! And just the way you described it! The way I used to camp as a child but as a grown up, horseback riding and all! Love Sugar 🙂 Happy for that you got to have this experience 🙂
This sounds amazing. I need this in my life!
Looks like a great experience. I loved camping as a girl scout when I was growing up and getting away for a while. A great campfire and a few smores sweetened the deal. Would be awesome to revisit those moments as an adult. Thanks for sharing this adventure!
What a fun experience! I like that there were a variety of activities but you could also just choose to hang out and relax (meaning: READ!).
What a fun experience! I don’t think I’d heard of any adult summer camps before!
You do some really fun and awesome things. I love this!
That sounds like so much fun, Lyndsay. The food, too. Chocolate seminar? I’m in!
I went once to adult camp at a YMCA camp in the Rocky mountains in Alberta. It was a work retreat for all of us workers at the Y. Sounds quite similar only not craft or horsey but ‘trust’ games and kareoke.
Wah, Lauren!! I’m so sorry I called you Lyndsay…wtf? Hope you’ll forgive a fellow blogger a blunder.
This is so cool! I never went to camp I’d be all over this
Love the idea of a camp for women! We need it bad 😉
That sounds like such a fun camp! I’m thinking I should organize something like this locally…
I need some type of camp right now! lol I really need to get away and relax. I’m glad you were able to and had fun.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
This sounds like the most fun and refreshing idea. Especially with all of life’s demands as an adult, I’m so many could benefit from an adult summer camp!
Oh my gosh!! This sounds awesome! I would love to do something like this! Especially if I could get a bottom bunk. I had a top bunk in college… I tend to roll out of bed as is, so my parents got me one of those things that hooks under the mattress and puts up a little wall. A purchase that was 100% worth the embarrassment! The number of times I woke up pressed against it…. if it hadn’t been there I totally would have rolled right out!
Oh my gosh how fun is this?! I want to attend an adult summer camp like this.
Sugar looked like a good horse 🙂
I am glad you had a fun time!
Wow! Never knew something like this existed! This is right up my alley. I would love to get some alone time with girlfriends and do crafts and be in the outdoors. Nothing better than feeling like a kid again! Very cool!
It’s been such a long time since I’ve been to camp. I’ve never be to an adult one and from I’m reading, it looks like it would be a blast for me and my girlfriends!
I am actually a chaperone for my son’s 4th grade camping trip next month and it’s a YMCA camp…I went two years ago with my daughter, so seeing these pictures reminds me so much of our camp!!
Wow – that sounds so fun! I’ve never heard of a summer camp for adults!
That sounds like fun. I went to my first “women’s retreat” (which basically was camp) earlier this year and enjoyed it so much.
[…] actually just learned about this one; it was at the adult summer camp that I attended in September. However, I got to try it out and it’s so yummy, so I highly […]
Sounds like and looks like you all had a blast. Wellness is everything so I think this is thoughtfully executed and helpful.
[…] there are definitely a lot of events coming up that I’d love to attend (musicals/plays, adult summer camp, […]
[…] you want to learn more about the Women’s Wellness WEEKEND, then I have done a full post on it a couple years ago. It’s essentially adult summer camp, […]