Third Nature Summer Camp

Adult Summer Camp

September 4-7, 2026 in the Hudson Valley, New York

For people who live with intention and love to have fun

Picture all the playful energy of Adult Summer Camp, mixed with workshops designed to help you feel more connected to yourself, your life, and the people around you.

Over the course of one long weekend, you will feel seen, heard, and understood as your true, full self, while having more fun than you thought was humanly possible.

We’ve been hosting this retreat every summer since 2016, formerly as Startup Island. Since rebranding to Third Nature in January 2022, our community has continued to grow and the experience gets better and better.

"Summer Camp was a weekend packed with conscious conversations, spirited activities, and introspective workshops. It's such an honor to be part of a fabulous community of growth-oriented, entrepreneurial leaders who are determined to make an impact in the world."

"Third Nature has mastered creating special group experiences where participants can learn about themselves & others, and have the most fun doing so! Perfect combination of fun & meaningful experience."

"My Third Nature experience exceeded anything I could've imagined. It was really the people that made the place. This community is indescribably amazing. Every single person has a different story and offers a different perspective."

“This experience was heartfelt and wholesome. It was beautiful to see humans come together to celebrate, share, grow, play, see each other as perfectly imperfect beings, listen and connect. It’s not common to have this level of presence and intention. Thank you for creating such spaces and attracting hearts alike.”

"Third Nature has changed my life. I went from being stuck in my mind and in life to having cultivated joy and fulfillment from within. I am energized, focused and inspired thanks to this community. The experience is truly priceless."

"Third Nature to me is a preview into what friendship and belonging looks like at its highest level. It's clear that a lot of time and intention goes towards making the ultimate experience. Nobody wants it to end, but I'm excited to bring everything I learned back to my life, including new friends!"

Who it's for

Third Nature Summer Camp has always been about the people. A beautifully diverse group of multi-passionate individuals who come from different backgrounds, and are at different stages of their journey – yet have a shared mindset and outlook on life. It’s not about what they do. It’s about who they are.

These are people who:

Are kind, curious, thoughtful, and generous.
Are reflective deep thinkers, lifelong learners, and optimists.
Think and act outside the box.
Can’t be described with any one label.
Believe in the possibility of a better world, and in their own ability to create positive change.

Many of these people have achieved incredible levels of success in their personal and professional lives. Many are on their way. Regardless, we remember that we all have something to learn and something to teach every time we come together.

Sound like the kind of people you want to surround yourself with?

What to expect

Third Nature programs consist of workshops, facilitated discussions, coaching, and mentorship, combined with time to relax, reflect, and refocus. You will form meaningful connections with new friends, collaborators, and mentors to help you create the career and life you want.

In addition, there will be plenty of activities that make camp as magical as it is: swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding on the lake, team sports, singing & dancing, campfires, s’mores, lakeside BBQ’s and more.

Expect to feel welcomed and at home right from the start + pleasantly surprised and delighted throughout the weekend.

Leave feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and ready to take on the next season of life.

Trip Leaders & Facilitators

A wide array of life experience has made these folks the successful creators, community builders, experience designers, coaches, speakers, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and influencers they are today.

Plus, they are some of the kindest and most genuine people we know.

Below are our trip leaders & facilitators from Summer Camp 2025.

To be the first to hear about all the goodness emerging as we co-create the experience of Summer Camp 2026, subscribe to our newsletter!

Liz Sutton

Workshop:

Think With Intention, Live With Intention

“Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts.”

– Soren Kierkegaard

This collaborative workshop will help us identify our habitual thinking patterns, particularly when they become “traps” that prevent us from living in alignment with our values and goals. Using research-backed activities from positive psychology and the cognitive behavioral model, participants will leave with personalized strategies for how to shift out of traps into more aligned ways of living.

Rachel Saslaw

Workshop:

StoryTell Unplugged

We’ll use personal storytelling as a catalyst for connection, courage, and empathy-building. The theme for this StoryTell will be shared right before our session, where we will use different modalities to uncover our truths. You’ll have the opportunity to share your story and learn from others, helping you feel less alone in the human experience.

As shared by a past attendee:

“To be witnessed by a group of loving eyes & open hearts was one of the most liberating moments of my life, and encouraged me to be even more courageous in my community. For me, StoryTell is a safe space to release fear & shame and express myself creatively & vulnerably.”

Ishaan Goel

WORKSHOP:

Maybe:Fiction — Pretend Worlds

Let’s play pretend together.

In this generative creative writing workshop, we’re going to play more than we write. Think LEGOs, play-doh, drawing, group games — all exploring our theme in fun ways while feeding into the stories we write. Of course, we’ll still write something by the end, but we’ll get there in a way that’s more fun than stressful.

And you won’t do it alone — you’ll team up, bounce ideas around, and discover weird and wonderful worlds through co-operation.

You don’t need to be “a writer” or have any experience. Just come curious and open. You’ll leave with a story.

Joey Tinghitella

Workshop:

Associate Program Manager

As Associate Program Manager, I am here to continuously enhance the camper experience. Every day looks different, as it pertains to the evolving needs of our community. Sometimes I’m focused on setting up for a workshop or activity. Other times I get to have an uplifting conversation, or get more people involved in the action. I also love taking new ideas that emerge during the weekend, and making them happen – whether that be for a pickleball lesson or playing golf on the baseball fields. At the end of the day, I am here to help ensure that everyone who attends Summer Camp feels like it is a place where they are welcome, included, seen, heard, and understood – a sort of home away from home.

Mimi Tran

Movement:

Yoga for Grounding, Confidence, Compassion, and Connection

Mimi will offer 3 classes throughout the weekend:

1. Grounding – Reconnect with stability, security, and your own inner foundation through the root chakra. Perfect for arriving fully in your body and feeling supported as we start camp!

2. Confidence – Tap into your personal power through the solar plexus chakra. Expect to leave feeling radiant, capable, and lit up from within.

3. Compassion/Connection – A quiet return to the heart. We’ll move gently and breathe deeply as we settle into a space that cultivates compassion and connection through the heart chakra with the lake as our backdrop.

Derick Adams

Movement:

Acro Yoga & Body Awareness

Derick led morning movement classes at Summer Camp 2023 and 2024. We’re so excited to have him back in 2025!

During his movement classes this year, we will play with beginner Acro yoga poses and body awareness drills to help you learn something new, enhance your brain-body connection, and bond with your fellow campers!

Here’s what one participant had to say about morning movement with Derick:

“Derick is such a great instructor and helped us improve as we went along and had adaptions if we couldn’t do something. He brought so much intention and passion into it and made it so fun!”

Brian Helfman

Founder, Chief Experience Officer at Third Nature

About Brian Helfman

Founder, Chief Experience Officer at Third Nature
Head Counselor at Third Nature Summer Camp

From age 8-20, I had the incredible privilege of spending 7 weeks every summer at Camp Scatico. As a kid who never quite fit into the factory model education system, camp was where I got to be creative, express different parts of myself, and engage in purposeless play.

In other words - camp has always been the place where I’ve felt the most me.

So back in 2016, when thinking about where we wanted to host a retreat that would empower participants to be their true, full selves, an adult summer camp weekend at Camp Scatico was the obvious choice.

Over the last 9 years that we’ve been hosting these camps, I’ve gotten to connect with, learn from, and grow alongside 100’s of the most kind, thoughtful, optimistic, creative, fun, and supportive people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.

While I’m the “Head Counselor” and we have an incredible team in place to provide a seamless and powerful experience…

I’m also a participant and we’ve always treated these weekends as a co-creation.

When every participant at camp contributes with their unique essence and lived experience, every participant receives so much more - myself included.

Every year, I leave camp feeling more:

✨ Clear on what I want

✨ Connected to why I want it

✨ Creative in how to get it

✨ Confident in my ability to make it happen

✨ Supported by a community of people who get it

And yes, I’m still a work in progress. Good thing another Third Nature Summer Camp is always on the horizon.

Brian Helfman is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer at Third Nature, where he creates events & experiences that inspire people to live with intention, feel more connected, and love life more. This includes Adult Summer Camp Weekends, plus custom workshops & trainings designed for corporate teams, growing startups, non-profits, and institutions of higher education. With 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur, experience designer, facilitator, and coach, Brian helps individuals & organizations cultivate clarity, creativity, and connection - all while having more fun.

In his spare time, he runs the Leaders in Training and Adult programs at Experience Camps for grieving children, and tries to spend more time in nature than he does on social media.

Andrea Maeng

Director of Wellthyness at Third Nature Summer Camp

About Andrea Maeng

Director of Wellthyness

Growing up, I didn’t attend summer camp. Instead, I spent my free time at home without the permission or resources to go have fun with friends… or begrudgingly attending Korean language school, SAT prep classes or Vacation Bible School retreats. Fun and play weren’t valued or “productive” in my upbringing. I was taught that only what I did and achieved mattered, not who I was or how I felt.

For as long as I can remember, I knew that wasn’t the truth for me. Now, my life centers around how I’m being, what I’m learning, and who I’m becoming in the process. My mission is to create spaces where others can explore that for themselves.

Camp is the experience I wish I had as a child, and I’m grateful to experience it now as an adult. My first camp was Memorial Day Weekend 2023; by the following year, I was co-facilitating with Brian. That inner child, once deprived of play and freedom, finally received more of what she needed. Since then, I’ve stepped into more of my authentic leadership in all areas of my life.

Every year, I leave camp feeling more:

✨ Enlivened by nature and the sense of possibilities

✨ Expanded by perspectives and insights on things I thought I was already set on

✨ Energized by the new and familiar people I connect with, who give me hope and inspiration on what I can create in my life

✨ Embodied in what truly matters to me and the person I want to be

Camp is a space where I hope you can feel and know that who you are and where on your journey you are is enough, that you’re not alone in it, and it can be fun. I’m on that journey too.

Andrea Maeng (she/her) is a certified Ontological Life & Leadership Coach and Transformation Facilitator whose practice focuses on the breath, the body and mindfulness as a pathway for transformation. She also works full time at the Strozzi Institute for Somatics. Her passion lies in supporting humans to embody the confidence, courage and clarity to be effective and authentic leaders in their business, life and relationships. She loves talking to anyone creating holistic wellbeing and wealth (wellth) in their own way. She is a proud Korean-American and daughter of immigrants who currently resides in Philly. In her free time she loves trying out food and fruit she's never had before, enjoys getting strong with Pilates and her superpower is asking great questions.

Brian Ardavin

Program Manager & Community Connector

About Brian Ardavin

Program Manager & Community Connector

I grew up in Miami, surrounded by a rich mix of cultures, resilience, and community–values that shaped my understanding of perseverance, adaptability, and belonging as a proud Cuban-American. I saw firsthand what my family sacrificed to build a life in this country, and it deeply influenced how I approach life, connection, and opportunity.

When I joined Third Nature (formerly Startup Island) on a retreat in Costa Rica in 2019, I knew I had found something special. A space where people showed up fully, supported each other, and prioritized real connection. I instantly wanted to get more involved–not just as a participant but as someone who could help bring these experiences to life. I believed in the mission: to create spaces where people can step away from daily life, reconnect with themselves, others, and nature, and return with more clarity, confidence, and direction.

For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of Summer Camp, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. I’ve always thrived in the background, making sure every detail is in place. But what I didn’t expect was how much this community would see me, recognize my efforts, and reflect back the care and thought I put into every experience.

Every year, I leave camp feeling more:

✨Grounded in the power of intentional community

✨Inspired by the diversity of people, perspectives, and stories that come together

✨Grateful for the balance of structure and spontaneity, deep conversation and play

✨Energized to continue shaping spaces where people feel safe to show up as their true, full selves

Camp has reminded me that growth happens in small moments–conversations by the campfire, shared laughter, and quiet reflection. I’m still figuring it all out, but I’m grateful to do it alongside this community, year after year.

Brian Ardavin is the Program Manager and Community Connector at Third Nature, where he plays a key role in shaping experiences that bring people together in meaningful ways. Whether behind the scenes or out in the community, he ensures that every gathering–especially Summer Camp–fosters connections, curiosity, and a sense of belonging.

Outside of Third Nature, you’ll likely find Brian pushing himself in an F45 class, diving into the latest in health and nutrition, or traveling in search of new experiences. He’s also deeply passionate about politics and advocating for underprivileged communities, believing that real change happens when people come together–whether through policy, movement, or shared conversations that inspire action.

Our location for 2026

September 4-7, 2026

Camp Scatico, Elizaville, NY

We’re excited to be back at our home away from home, Camp Scatico.

Located about 2 hours north of NYC, Scatico is known for its picturesque rolling hills, the beautiful lake that no motor has ever been inside (making it clean AF), the center of campus hangout area where time stands still, and so much more.

For information about getting to camp, check out our handy Traveling to Camp info sheet (will be updated for 2026 soon)

What's included in your trip

During the trip:

3 nights of lodging in big, beautiful bunks (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night)
9 delicious camp meals + snacks, drinks, and adult beverages (dinner on Friday - lunch on Monday)
4 personal development workshops led by master facilitators
Guided yoga, meditation, and fun wake-up activities available every morning
Full use of camp facilities, including tennis & pickleball courts, basketball, gaga, arts & crafts, nature trails, weight room, and more
Full use of the lake, with paddle-boards, kayaks, canoes, our on-water trampoline, and more offered throughout the weekend
Campfires & s'mores under the stars
SWAG bag & bonus goodies
24/7 support staff and guides on private grounds

Upon returning home:

After the weekend is over, you will receive lots of additional resources to keep the momentum going: things like our shared reading list, photos from the weekend, access to our WhatsApp community, and a contact sheet that makes it easy to stay in touch with the people you met.

Aside from everything we offer, you will leave the trip feeling part of a truly supportive community with meaningful connections to new friends and mentors who want to see you succeed.

And of course, don’t forget about the alumni meetups, dinners, happy hours, group workouts, coworking, and community member-hosted events that occur year round.

All-Inclusive Pricing:

Early Bird (available until February 1st): $745

Pre-Summer Rate (available until June 1st): $840

Regular Rate: $940

dates:

Labor Day Weekend:

September 4-7, 2026

Program starts at 2pm ET on Friday, September 4th, and ends at 1pm ET on Monday, September 7th

*Must be at least 21 to participate in this program

Words from our community

Hear it from those who experienced it

"I've never experienced so much growth & introspection in such a short amount of time. Being surrounded by a group of some of the most compassionate, aligned, active listeners I've met helped make the experience unforgettable. I can't wait to continue this journey of healing, growth, and goal-setting with the Third Nature Community."

–Danielle Faragehttps://daniellefarage.com

"I came in with the intention of fully disconnecting with the outside world and really embracing and connecting deeper with myself. I was so blown away as to how I was able to embrace every part of this experience which in turn exceeded any expectations I could’ve possibly had. I feel a deep rooted connection with myself. I also made connections with people that I will cherish for a lifetime."

–Jenefer Carreras

"Third Nature camp exceeded my expectations. I really did not know what to expect, and upon arrival, I was greeted by such friendliness and encouragement, that I immediately felt at ease. I found myself fully immersing my mind into each exercise and workshop, and became emotional at times, but left feeling energized and more confident. New friendships were created, and I look forward to collaborating and keeping in touch with everyone on a professional and personal level. Thank you all, for making a difference in my life!"

–Lori Fischer

"On Startup Island, I made more than a few great connections, and the weekend was a huge leap in my personal and professional development. Every workshop had a solid, actionable takeaway. Every participant had a fascinating personal and professional background. Every minute of the day was a learning, growing moment. And the food was fantastic! If you're an entrepreneur, or just someone who wants to take life to the next level, start packing. These are your people."

–LYZ LEWIS

"If you're looking to connect with a community of like-hearted people who are curious, kind, creative, generous, and ambitious, this is the place to find them. It's a weekend full of thinking, playing, laughing, developing momentum, and diving into powerful conversations. I didn't realize how much I missed letting go, being present, and acting like a kid again...until I was playing popcorn on the water trampoline with 8+ people, doing improv, roasting marshmallows, sharing silly fun facts, and competing in a relay race. None of those things were "on the brochure"... yet they were some of the best parts of this weekend, on top of all the rich conversations about identity, goal setting, love, and designing the lives we deserve."

–Taylor Harrington

"Summer Camp is a phenomenal experience. I went on the trip with the intention of connecting with fellow entrepreneurial-minded people after almost 20 months of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Summer Camp fulfilled my intention and more. It was a fun, impactful, community-driven learning experience that gave me the opportunity to learn about myself, other people, be self-expressed, and be seen, accepted, and celebrated for who I am. I highly recommend Summer Camp for anyone who is driven to make an impact in the world and wants to do so surrounded by a community of equally driven peers. See you next summer!"

–Jake Fishbein

"This experience was everything I needed and more. I'm optimistic about the world knowing that my fellow participants are making it a better place every day by living out the values of Third Nature that transcend beyond the experience."

–Shivank Taksali

–Danielle Faragehttps://daniellefarage.com

"This experience was everything I needed and more. I got immense value from the workshops, but also through the unstructured time to choose my own adventures. Bringing us all together at such a beautiful camp already creates the conditions for us participants to learn a lot from each other, have loads of fun, and connect with our surroundings in nature - from the peaceful lake to the shimmering stars. I left feeling more optimistic about the world, knowing that my fellow participants are making it a better place every day."

–Shivank Taksali

–Jenefer Carreras

"Third Nature Summer Camp gave me the space and people to help truly identify who I want to become as a person, leader, businessman, and spouse. They created an environment that fostered friendships, creative thinking, and self reflection by minimizing distractions so that your mind and emotions are focused."

–NATE NEADING

–Taylor Harrington

"Third Nature Summer Camp exceeded my expectations. I really did not know what to expect, and upon arrival, I was greeted by such friendliness and encouragement, that I immediately felt at ease. I found myself fully immersing my mind into each exercise and workshop, and became emotional at times, but left feeling energized and more confident. New friendships were created, and I look forward to collaborating and keeping in touch with everyone on a professional and personal level. Thank you all, for making a difference in my life!"

–Lori Fischer

"Third Nature is truly a transformational experience for the mind and body (and your career and self-gratification)! No organization has truly made me feel as grounded in my entrepreneurial journey as Third Nature has."

–NICK MACIEL

"Third Nature is something you can drop into and immediately be immersed in community, consciousness, and growth. You are welcome here. You are safe here. You will grow here. You have freedom here. I truly feel like a kid again. No shrooms needed, I feel enlightened and wholeheartedly in love with life. This is forever one of the greatest memories I will ever have."

–SHILO CANADY

"Camp went above and beyond my expectations, which were already pretty high based on reviews from past participants. I learned so much about myself in just a short weekend, and this learning is deep enough to fundamentally alter the course of my life for the better. I’d never before been in that big of a group of people who all shared such similar values and dedication to self growth, and I’m thrilled to engage further in this community well beyond camp."

–SYDNEY BLAIR

"A phenomenal experience. I went on the trip with the intention of connecting with fellow entrepreneurial-minded people. Summer Camp fulfilled my intention and more. It was a fun, impactful, community-driven learning experience that gave me the opportunity to learn about myself, other people, be self-expressed, and be seen, accepted, and celebrated for who I am. I highly recommend Summer Camp for anyone who is driven to make an impact in the world and wants to do so surrounded by a community of equally driven peers. See you next summer!"

–Jake Fishbein

"Third Nature brings together an incredible group of inspiring people who are all striving to learn more about themselves and live in alignment with their values. It's a perfect way to kick off or wrap up your summer, and head into the rest of the year with greater clarity on your goals and priorities to live a fulfilled life."

–NIKA MOEINI

“Third Nature is a space unlike anything else. It's a place where you can show up as your authentic self and be received with love, acceptance, and support. Whatever you hope to experience and want to share is welcomed. If more of the Third Nature essence was present in our communities, the world would be a better place.”

–Marissa Le

Frequently Asked Questions

Summer Camp is just the beginning. Once you travel with us, you become part of our growing community of good humans from all over the world. This community is available as a resource to you for life.

Specific takeaways our travelers experience include:

Increased self-awareness, clarity, confidence, perspective, and empathy
Refined goals that are consistent with your core values, and an action plan to achieve those goals
New business ideas, partnerships, and collaboration opportunities
Leveling up side-projects
Energy and stress-management techniques
Tools to flex the idea muscle and become a creative machine
A healthier relationship with technology
Deep, meaningful friendships

Workshops will be led by expert facilitators within the Third Nature network with a unique story and area of expertise. More information about this trip’s facilitators and workshops will be provided in the coming months.

We aim to have everyone arrive at camp by 2pm ET on the Friday that your camp begins. The program ends at 1pm ET on Monday. You’ll be amazed at what we can accomplish and learn together in less than 72 hours!

We do our best to work with all participants to coordinate transportation to camp from the surrounding areas.

If you’re coming from outside of the northeast U.S., we recommend flying into LaGuardia airport (LGA) and arriving before 1pm EST on your trip’s start date. We’ll do our best to help you arrange a carpool or public transportation from there to camp.

For more information about getting to camp, check out our handy Traveling to Camp info sheet (will be updated for 2026 soon)

We send out a packing list one month before each of our trips, to ensure that you have enough time to prepare. In the meantime, think minimalism.

There is WiFi available in certain buildings at our camps, so that you can check in with the outside world during free time if you’d like. The general service at camp is also pretty decent. All that said, we aim to create a space that’s healthily disconnected from technology, where you don’t need or want to use your devices.

You will be sleeping in big, beautiful cabins with 6 – 15 fellow travelers. Everyone will have their own twin bed and cubby space for clothing and personal items. Campers are asked to bring their own bedding, or rent linens for the weekend – if you’d like to rent linens, you can do so via our pre-camp questionnaire, after you register.

All cabins have bathrooms with private stalls, private showers, and running, drinkable, cold & hot water.

Honestly, it’s pretty good! We include a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday, along with snacks, coffee, tea, and other fun beverages provided by our awesome sponsors. We can accommodate any dietary restriction, and will have vegetarian and vegan options, plus a salad bar. If you have any restrictions or allergies, you will have a chance to let us know on your pre-trip questionnaire, which you will receive after you are accepted into the program and your spot is secured.

After you apply, we will be in touch with next steps. If accepted into the program, you will receive a registration form, where you’ll be able to pay for the trip using a credit card. Once you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation email and be added to our official trip roster.

We also offer monthly payment plans, for participants who need more time to submit the full balance. If you’d like to set up a payment plan, please mention so on your application.

Awesome! We’re excited to get to know you. Click here to apply now.

Adult Summer Camp

For people who live with intention and love to have fun

Who it's for

What to expect

Trip Leaders & Facilitators

Liz Sutton

Workshop:

Liz Sutton

Rachel Saslaw

Workshop:

Rachel Saslaw

Ishaan Goel

WORKSHOP:

Ishaan Goel

Joey Tinghitella

Workshop:

Joey Tinghitella

Mimi Tran

Movement:

Mimi Tran

Derick Adams

Movement:

Derick Adams

Brian Helfman

Brian Helfman

Andrea Maeng

Andrea Maeng

Brian Ardavin

Brian Ardavin

Our location for 2026

September 4-7, 2026

Camp Scatico, Elizaville, NY

What's included in your trip

During the trip:

Upon returning home:

All-Inclusive Pricing:

dates:

Words from our community

Hear it from those who experienced it

Frequently Asked Questions

©2025 Third Nature. All Rights Reserved.