Happy Campers
June is National Camping Month! Whether that brings to mind a tent in the forest or chocolatey s’mores, Talk of the Town has you covered—from luxury lakeside yurts and adult summer camps to campfire-inspired meals you can make at home and ways to support kids who deserve a summer to remember.
Picking the perfect campsite may be easy, but finding the perfect home takes a lot more data, information, and guidance. So, when the time is right, I’m always happy to be your guide.
The line between adventure and indulgence has never been blurrier—and from the Sahara to Patagonia and closer to home, these luxury camps are making the call of the wild impossible to resist.
For the ultimate in remote luxury, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp rests in the Kaokoveld wilderness of Namibia, accessible only by light aircraft. Eight tented suites overlook a desert waterhole visited by wildlife found nowhere else on earth—desert-adapted lions, elephants, and giraffes able to survive in these unforgiving landscapes. An excursion to the windswept beaches of the aptly named Skeleton Coast completes the experience.
Patagonia Camp perches 23 luxury yurts on a wooded hillside overlooking Lago del Toro, the largest lake in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. All-inclusive and adventure-ready, stays include guided excursions ranging from gentle forest walks to a full-day hike to the base of the park’s iconic granite peaks—capped each evening with gourmet dining, fine South American wines, and complimentary cocktails.
In Morocco’s Sahara, Desert Luxury Camp sits among the towering golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you’ll find tented suites featuring handcrafted furniture and private baths. A sunset camel ride through the dunes, fabulous meals, campfire entertainment, and a sky blazing with stars deliver an unforgettable night in the Sahara.
Closer to home, Camp Aramoni is redefining travel in the Midwest—eleven safari-style tents set on 96 acres of lush forest near picturesque Starved Rock State Park. Enjoy boutique hotel amenities and a genuine sense of escape, just 90 minutes south of Chicago.
Remember the pure joy of summer camp: the lake days, the campfire nights, the friends you made in 48 hours? Turns out, you don’t have to leave that behind with childhood.
Camp Forever Fun in Bloomingdale, Michigan (just over two hours from Chicago) brings it all back for ages 21 and over: archery, canoe races, a high ropes course, climbing wall, swimming, arts and crafts, yoga, and three meals a day from the camp cooks. Evenings bring kegs of craft beer, wine, s’mores, stargazing, and dance parties.
For a more far-flung escape, Camp No Counselors offers three-night, all-inclusive weekends at some of the best summer camps in New York, California, Florida, and Texas—but entirely for grown-ups. Days are filled with camp olympics, lake days, and your favorite classic camp activities. Nights bring themed parties, live music, and conversations around the fire with people you’ll never forget.
Both camps welcome solo travelers, couples, and friend groups—anyone yearning for the carefree fun and no-work-email days of summer camp. Adult summer camps are growing in popularity, so if sessions for this summer are sold out, get on the waitlist or start planning your escape for next year.
Craving campfire classics without the campfire? It’s easy to create the nostalgia of your favorite campsite meals right in your own kitchen.
Nothing says camping like s’mores—and you don’t need a firepit to enjoy them. Broil marshmallows in the oven until golden, keeping a close eye on them, then sandwich them with chocolate and graham crackers. An air fryer works beautifully too and, in a pinch, the microwave will soften everything into a warm, melty bite.
Since you’re not actually in the wilderness, why not upgrade your s’more with ingredients you might have in the kitchen? Swap in peanut butter cups for a flavorful twist or add a strip of crispy bacon for a sweet-salty combo. Sliced strawberries or bananas add a fresh, fruity balance.
Turn it into a full camp-inspired meal with easy foil packet dinners. Combine your favorite protein with chopped vegetables, olive oil, and herbs, then seal in aluminum foil and cook in the oven or on the grill. Try a Cajun-inspired version with shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, and red potatoes—or keep it simple with chicken thighs, cherry tomatoes, and fresh rosemary
Minimal cleanup with all the charm of camping cuisine—no tent or campfire required.
June is a perfect time to give back to kids who deserve a summer to remember.
Camp Quality USA provides year-round camps and programs, completely free of charge, for children with cancer. From summer camp to family retreats and teen programs, Camp Quality creates space for kids to laugh, make friends, roast marshmallows—and simply be kids again. The organization holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a trusted benchmark for nonprofit accountability.
With camps throughout the Midwest, including Illinois and Michigan, there are meaningful ways to get involved—whether through volunteering, donating, or helping spread the word. Visit campqualityusa.org to learn more.
