When she was a child, Raquel Reichard watched twin protagonists in “The Parent Trap” and “It Takes Two” and dreamed of a summer camp where she could tug-of-war, roast marshmallows and whisper with friends. Her Puerto Rican mother repeatedly refused, citing the presence of men she could not protect her from.

Research published in the peer-reviewed Trauma, Violence, & Abuse journal in 2025 found that 3.7% of adults reported experiencing sexual abuse in youth service organizations such as camps, sports clubs and religious groups. Armed with that data and now an aunt, Reichard says she understands her mother’s caution, yet the longing for a nature-filled escape persisted.

Signing up for an adult-only retreat

The camp took place at Trailborn Highlands, a lodge set on 4.5 wooded acres in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, perched at roughly 4,100 feet elevation with crisp, pine-scented air.

Cardholders staying at the lodge and dining at the Highland Supper Club can earn up to 17x points per dollar, plus new members may receive free-night awards for stays worth up to 50,000 points. The promotional angle was woven into the itinerary, which blended typical camp activities with hospitality-industry incentives.

The first group outing was a guided hike through Nantahala National Forest to Glen Falls. Participants sampled sourwood leaves, learned that the American chestnut once dominated the forest before a fungal blight struck in the early 1900s, and paused at a mist-covered overlook where water thundered over rugged rock.

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“I stood amid the towering trees, taking it all in, grateful for the younger body that carried me up the trail and the older, more mature mind that knew to pause and appreciate the beauty around me,” Reichard recalled.

Wellness, workshops and evenings by fire

Back at the lodge, a local massage therapist set up on the balcony and relieved tension built up from years of work. Later, campers gathered for a “Blue Ridge Cyanotype” photography workshop, using light-sensitive paper to imprint leaf silhouettes. Reichard left with two prints, one now framed in her home office.

Evening activities included a vegan s’mores session on the patio, where participants roasted plant-based marshmallows over an open flame. The shared laughter and tentative campfire stories recreated the youthful atmosphere the adult group had imagined from movies.

In a brief comparative note, the experience mirrors earlier trends where hospitality brands have paired travel perks with lifestyle programming to attract millennial and Gen-X travelers seeking both relaxation and novelty. By embedding point-earning opportunities into the camp’s schedule, the partnership blurs the line between traditional vacation and branded experience.

The next morning, campers traveled for a forest-bathing session. The two-hour guide encouraged participants to engage each sense, noting the natural surroundings.

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As the sun set on the final night, campmates gathered around a fire and sang the chorus of “This Is Me” from the Disney Channel’s Camp Rock, echoing the nostalgic soundtrack that had first sparked Reichard’s childhood yearning. The moment captured the communal spirit that many adult-camp participants described as a rare blend of nostalgia and present-day camaraderie.

Community and stewardship

The cohort comprised writers, editors, and media strategists, creating a collaborative atmosphere that extended beyond scheduled activities. Shared meals sparked spontaneous conversations about storytelling and audience engagement.

During a midday break, the group gathered on a sun-dappled clearing to discuss the area’s early 20th-century preservation effort. Residents’ 1909 petition to safeguard a mountain summit laid the foundation for the state’s oldest land trust.

Seasonal reflections and lasting impact

As autumn arrived, crisp breezes rustled through amber foliage, prompting many to capture the scene with handheld cameras. The resulting images emphasized texture and light rather than technical perfection.