Big Summer Camp for Adults
June 27 – July 1, 2026
Sesimbra, Portugal
5 days of 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.
It's 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 fire, talk about important things and laugh at silly ones. Here you can be yourself. A place where adults allow themselves to be alive and real.
Who is this camp for
Relocants and those living in Europe looking for their community
IT professionals and creatives tired of screens and tasks
People in transition: changing jobs, countries, or life purpose
Those who usually lead and take care of others, wanting to be a participant
Those who miss camps, bonfires, songs, and genuine connection
Introverts who need a safe space to open up
Those who want to remember that life is more than work and obligations
What's not here
Heavy therapy
We don't dig into traumas without request. It's safe here, but no obligation to go deep.
Business networking
This is not a place for sales, pitches, and business cards. Here we are people, not functions.
Alcohol 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 closeness
A living community of like-minded people where you can be yourself. Real connection 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.
Reboot
Rest from tasks, screens, and endless routine. Exhale, slow down, and remember what it means to just 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. Bring back the joy of creativity and spontaneity that we often lose in adult life.
Everything is organized
When everything is already organized for you, and you can just participate. No planning, no controlling, no responsibility — just play and enjoy.
Activities
Yoga
Body gets attention, mind gets rest.
Hiking
Walking through the forest to the ocean, listening to nature
Outdoor games
Pool, tennis court, and lots of games
Creative practices
Time to fool around, cringe, and laugh
Comedy improvisation
Games to develop imagination and break patterns.
Dance and carnival
Release tension and enjoy the moment
Songs by the fire
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 just doing nothing. We respect your boundaries and pace.
Where we stay
A house 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 house 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 time, cozy rooms with proper beds and showers. A chef cooks for us — delicious and with soul. More like a house 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
Everything included:
Important: places 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" and 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 you want to return to.
I was terribly afraid that everything would be too "creative", and I'm an IT guy who sings at karaoke at most. In the end, for the first time in my life I went on stage, sang, messed up a couple of times, everyone laughed and supported me. It wasn't embarrassing, but very warm. For the first time I felt 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, you 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 — soft facilitators, instead of lineup — warm circles and bonfire, instead of "you 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 that I lack play and fooling around, 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 feel 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 the feeling 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 fire