“Bad Summer Camp” is Back on the Sunshine Coast, August 22-24

Bad Summer Camp | The Bad Academy – Photography by Natahsha Priya

Count on the too cool for (“real”) school crew from The Bad Academy to intuit our big kid yearning to go back to summer camp. Now in its second year running, Bad Summer Camp is once again taking over the The Stonewater on the Sunshine Coast for a three-day weekend of outdoorsy adult fun, Friday, August 22nd through Sunday the 24th, 2025. And the time to sign up is now!

To be clear, this version of summer camp is definitely not for children. While The Bad Academy’s version of summer camp includes all of the classics – like bonfires, s’mores, lake dips, forest hikes, and ghost stories – in typical “Baddie” style, there will also be a bunch of nifty workshops on offer, covering everything from embroidery, collage art, writer’s block, tie dye and beehouse decorating, to apiology (the study of bees), fermented sodas and paddleboarding. (The finalized list of workshops will be available for Bad Campers to sign up for on May 1st.) Plus, free coffee/tea and yoga sessions to kick off the day, a bunch of custom camp swag and “survival” goodies, unlimited drinks all-weekend-long, and access to The Stonewater Spa’s amenities (sauna, hot tub, cold plunge) – because hey, this is “grown-up” camping, after all. Sign us up!

So, what does all this add up to, you ask? The cost to register for Bad Summer Camp is $395 per person, not including some workshops ($10-40 and/or the cost of supplies) or accommodations. Nor does it factor in all of the invaluable memories, stories, skills and friendships you’re going to walk away with, though, either! Speaking of accommodations: although on-site options, including camping spots, at the Stonewater are already booked up (drat!), the Bad Academy has made it easy for you to find alternate sleeping arrangements close-by, by listing their recommendations here (phew!). So save your tears until the end of summer.

Bad Summer Camp registration closes on Thursday, May 15th…but considering that there are only so may Bad Camper spots and ferry seats to go around, we recommend not putting off your decision for too long! When all is said and done, the Bad Academy says it best: “If you’ve been craving a low-maintenance getaway where you can relax, reconnect with the land and friends, and most of all, have SO MUCH fun, this is the camp for you!” More details and registration here.

Bring on the summer!