This Adult Summer Camp Brings Your D&D Campaign to Life

At Dungeons & Cabins, an immersive weekend retreat in Southern California, your performance in an archery match might just grant your character a vital stat boost. Conversely, a poor showing could complicate the final boss fight for every adventurer on the grounds.

This isn’t merely a figure of speech; it is the core philosophy behind this innovative fusion of Dungeons & Dragons and the quintessential summer camp experience.

Adventurers retreat to the San Bernardino National Forest—roughly three hours from Los Angeles—where they stay in climate-controlled cabins for a four-day, three-night excursion. The itinerary blends hours of deep-dive D&D sessions with classic camp staples, including evenings of camaraderie at the tavern. Attendees are divided into multiple adventuring parties that inhabit the same overarching narrative, meaning real-world actions directly ripple into the game world, and vice versa.

Founder Sammy Glicker shared that the concept was born three years ago from a desire to bridge the gap between two worlds. While Glicker hadn’t attended summer camp as a child, she recognized a powerful parallel between the “radical intimacy” of camp traditions—like the bond forged during a tug-of-war—and the shared vulnerability required to roll damage for a Fireball.

“Many of these camp activities offer a tangible crossover into the game,” Glicker explained. “The more you immerse yourself in the experience, the more opportunities you unlock within your adventure.”

Virtually every move has a consequence. Competitive events like archery or “color wars” serve as catalysts for in-game mechanics; for instance, surviving a round of foam-tipped “archery tag” might grant your party a tactical advantage, while defeat could spawn additional mobs for the campaign’s climactic encounter.

The boundary between reality and fantasy often dissolves entirely. During one session, disparate parties realized they could physically approach one another to coordinate strategies for a shared puzzle, moving from abstract communication to true, immersive collaboration. The result is a living, communal narrative where dozens of players influence the story in real-time, all while balancing the thrill of the quest with the simple joy of roasting s’mores by a campfire.

Glicker’s narrative framework centers on the city of Paladin’s Retreat, bordered by the Whispering Woods, a place where the foliage itself carries the echoes of past events. After facing a Baba Yaga-inspired encounter in their inaugural year, returning players spent year two locked in a high-stakes pursuit by a god—a storyline Glicker described as having the suspenseful energy of I Know What You Did Last Summer. Naturally, the decision to slay that deity is expected to yield complex, lasting consequences for the upcoming season.

Beyond the high-fantasy stakes, the true draw of Dungeons & Cabins is the community. With a 70% retention rate, the event has cultivated a fiercely loyal following. Many campers now coordinate to return with their original adventuring parties, and several alumni have transitioned into staff roles as Dungeon Masters or NPCs.

“It’s incredible to see this evolve from a fun concept into something that genuinely shapes people’s lives,” Glicker noted. Beyond the game, the camp has facilitated long-term friendships and even marriage proposals woven into the fabric of in-world quests.

For some, the impact is personal growth. Glicker shared stories of campers overcoming deep-seated phobias, such as a fear of heights, by tackling the camp’s zipline with the encouragement of their newfound allies. In Dungeons & Cabins, the risks are tangible—whether you are braving a high-ropes course, competing in a three-legged race, or stepping out of your comfort zone to connect with strangers.

Ultimately, these choices don’t just change the story; they redefine the players themselves.

This year’s sessions are scheduled for August 28–31, September 11–14, and September 18–21. Registration opens May 1. The $1,195 fee covers the full weekend, including lodging, chef-prepared meals, beverages, curated activities, event swag, and expert-led D&D sessions.

Source: Polygon