People Revisiting Their Youth At Adult Sleepaway Camp
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Children are headed back to school, but summer isn't over at "Camp Our Way" -- a camp for adults just two hours south of Dallas.
It's a dream come true for founder and the chief camp counselor, Stewart Wedge. Escaping reality was his dream and it materialized when he had a huge health wake-up call.
"One day in my office I'm just grinding away and I sneezed. My whole left arm goes numb," he said about the medical emergency that turned the CPA into a businessman.
"I herniated my c6 and c7 disc just from bad posture in an office 12-14 hours a day," recalled Wedge.
Thus, he started Camp Our Way—a place for adults to connect back to their inner child.
"This is called getting away from reality," said Andrea who is at the camp with Michelle, her friend from high school. "This is adult time away from reality."
Andrea lives in Georgia and Michelle lives in California. Both women met up in Texas.
For others, the camp is a second chance at a childhood rite of passage, "We never did summer camps. So this is that experience."
The summer camps for grownups is an epic Texas-sized adventure for most with: archery, rope climbing, tug of war and other activities of childhood offered.
"I just climbed up a 30 foot tower thing, which I never would have done before," said camper Tom Heuser.
The four day camp costs less than $400 with all inclusive, action packed agenda catered to adults.
"We take classic kid's summer camp and we throw in things we like. Like live bands, nightly parties and a little bit of booze," explained Wedge.
The venue is the same camp sites where kids go to camp. Sleeping arrangements are in bunk beds and the retreats are booked from Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.
"We pick everyone up in party buses Thursday evening so they only have to take a Friday off work. It's all inclusive so you sign up and your responsibilities are over," said Wedge.
Additionally, campers are encouraged to leave their cell phones behind and kids are not allowed. Chicken nuggets and fries aren't served.
"Fajitas, Alfredo... a little higherend experience," said Wedge about what campers eat.
Evenings end with dance parties, live bands and talent shows… And of course they've got S'mores.
"We've got S'mores and you wash it down with a nice Pinot Grigio!" Wedge said.
The next camp from Dallas is on October- 27. It's called Camp Trick or Treat.
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