Art Camp for Adults
September 4–6, 2026
Sesimbra, Portugal
Friendship, warmth, and play for those tired of being adults 24/7. A few days among your people: theater, dance, bonfire, genuine connection
MAYAK is
Not a retreat, not a training, not therapy.
This is a space for play, creativity, and humanity.
A chance to step out of "functioning mode" for a few days and remember the taste of life.
We play theater, dance, sing by the bonfire, talk about what matters, and laugh at silly things. Here you can be yourself. A place where adults allow themselves to be alive and authentic.
Who This Camp Is For
Relocants and those living in Europe looking for their community
Tech workers and creatives tired of screens and tasks
People in transition: changing jobs, countries, or life meaning
Those who usually lead and take responsibility, wanting to be a participant
Those who miss camps, bonfires, songs, and genuine connection
Introverts who need a safe environment to open up
Those who want to remember that life is more than work and obligations
What's Not Here
Intense Therapy
We don't dig into trauma without request. It's safe here, but no obligation to go deep.
Business Networking
This isn't a place for sales, pitches, and business cards. Here we're people, not functions.
Drinking Parties
Alcohol may be present, but it's not the focus. We're here for connection, not intoxication.
Need to Conform
No need to be "right", successful, or perfect. Come as you are.
Why Go
Find Connection
A living community of like-minded people where you can be yourself. Real contact with people, without masks and social roles. Warmth, acceptance, and the feeling that you're not alone in your experiences. People who understand without words and with whom you want to stay connected after camp.
Reset
Rest from tasks, screens, and endless routine. Exhale, slow down, and remember what it means to simply be.
Try Something New
Do what seemed scary before: go on stage, dance, open up to people. In a safe space where you're supported.
Remember Play
Theater, improvisation, dance, voice. Reclaim the joy of creativity and spontaneity that we often lose in adult life.
Everything's Organized
When everything is already organized for you, and you can just participate. Not plan, not control, not be responsible — just play and enjoy.
Activities
Yoga
Attention to the body, rest for the mind.
Hiking
Walking through the forest to the ocean, listening to nature
Outdoor Games
Pool, tennis court, and lots of games
Creative Practices
Time to be silly, cringe, and laugh
Comedy Improv
Games to develop imagination and break out of patterns.
Dance and Carnival
Release tension and enjoy the moment
Bonfire Songs
Evening gatherings with guitar, songs, and heartfelt conversations under the stars
Art Therapy
Rest through working with your hands
Beautiful location by the ocean, accommodation and meals included. We have our own chef — delicious food. Everything is organized so you can just be and participate.
Daily Schedule
Morning
Warm-up, body and voice work, awakening and connection games
Day
Improvisation, dance, creative practices, workshops
Evening
Bonfire, circle, songs, deep conversations
You'll have time for rest, silence, walks to the ocean, and simply doing nothing. We respect your boundaries and pace.
Where We Stay
A home in nature you'll want to return to
MAYAK takes place in a house near Lisbon, surrounded by greenery and silence, not far from the ocean. It's not a hotel, but a home with history: fireplace, old books, artifacts from different countries. At night you can see the beam of a real lighthouse in the sky.
We have a large hall for practices and dancing, a terrace and yard for quiet moments, cozy rooms with proper beds and showers. A chef cooks for us — delicious and with soul. More like a home of traveling friends than a tourist base.
Pricing and What's Included
Triple Room
Bed in a triple room
Double Room
Bed in a double room
Private Room
Room with a double bed
What's Included:
Important: spots are limited. We create an intimate atmosphere, so we take no more than 20 people.
Moments
Camp moment
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Reviews
I went to "a camp", but left with the feeling that I have my people again. In emigration this is rare — when you don't need to explain who you are and why, you just sit in a circle and understand: "ah, here's my tribe". For me MAYAK is not about practices, but about people I want to return to.
I was terribly afraid that everything would be too "creative", and I'm a tech guy who at most sings at karaoke. In the end, I went on stage for the first time in my life, sang, messed up a couple of times, everyone laughed and supported. It wasn't embarrassing, but very warm. I felt for the first time that you can mess up and still belong.
In normal life I'm always the "facilitator": the one who holds space, drives processes, supports others. At MAYAK I was just a participant for the first time in a long time. No one demanded to be strong and collected, I could be tired, cry, go into a blanket and tea — and it was normal. This feeling of freedom from roles is still with me.
For me MAYAK is a children's camp 18+. Only instead of counselors — gentle facilitators, instead of lineup — warm circles and bonfire, instead of "must participate" — you can be yourself. In the morning we were still shy to ask names, and in the evening we were already sitting by the fireplace sharing things you don't usually tell even friends.
I've long felt I was missing play and silliness, but in normal life it seems inappropriate. At MAYAK we did absolutely silly scenes, strange exercises, danced however — and at some point I caught myself laughing like I was 15. Without trying to seem smart, beautiful, right. Just alive.
In Portugal I had many acquaintances, but few to whom I could write: "I'm feeling really bad today, can we just sit?". After MAYAK such people appeared. It seems like a small thing, but it's exactly what gives the feeling that you're not a temporary passenger in this country, but a person who has their own support.
FAQ
What Remains After
New friends and a sense of "your tribe" — people with whom you can be yourself
Freedom and naturalness in communication, fewer masks and social games
The taste of play and joy that you can take into everyday life
Support in migration — understanding that you're not alone on this journey
Several "first times": first stage, first dance without shame, first song by the bonfire