Remember how fun summer camp was? Sleepaway camps, day camps, I did them all when I was growing up. Some of my favorite memories and best friends came from summer camps throughout the years. Think about it, when someone says “summer camp,” memories of campfires, marshmallows and telling ghost stories dance in our heads. But we also think about the way summer camp helps young people gain independence, make new friends, explore nature, gain valuable skills and get out of the house.

So why should kids have all the fun? The answer is: they shouldn’t! Especially after the past year of missing quality time with our favorite humans, what better time to host your own adult creativity summer camp? For most “grown-ups,” summer camp is a thing of the past, trading cabins for cubicles and hikes for hectic work schedules. But there are so many benefits that kids get from going to camp that are valuable for adults, too. So many of us are in need of a creative reset, and incorporating the elements of summer camp is a fun way to do it.

Are you sold on the idea yet?

Here are some things to consider for hosting your own adult summer creativity camp:

Location, location, location

The beauty of being an adult is you get to choose where you have your summer camp. Are you a beach babe or more of a cabin in the woods kind of gal? Maybe one of your friends has an amazing Airbnb or even just a big backyard you can utilize. Setting the location is important because it sets up the logistics for the rest of the camp while also making sure you get a much-needed change of scenery.

Set a purpose

Talk to the friends you’re considering hosting and see what their goals are. Is their ideal adult summer camp a relaxing, restorative one? Or maybe you surround yourself with extroverted humans who enjoy a bit of a party time? Make sure you’re all on the same page before you solidify any details. Having a cohesive goal will make sure everyone is aligned and all camp “attendees” get the most out of camp as possible.

Decide on your creative mediums

Is your summer camp centered around one creative area in particular? Or is it more of a free for all? If you have friends in different creative arenas, consider asking each friend to host an activity one day in their area of expertise. It could be anything from watercolors to floral arranging, as long as it’s something that gets the creative juices flowing. But if you’re limited on resources? Turn to the internet! You can find tutorial videos for pretty much anything these days. If you have a smaller group, don’t be afraid to utilize those options. Just make sure to watch the videos ahead of time so you have all of the supplies needed.

After you have your location, purpose and mediums in place, it’s pretty easy where to go from there. When we pull ourselves out of our daily routines, we can actually focus those “extras.” Setting aside intentional time for your creative passions is a vital experience with long-term benefits. A creativity summer camp can provide an opportunity to focus on passions that sometimes don’t fit into your busy “adult” schedule.