
Guests of the first Camp Groupon weekend stayed at the Swissôtel Chicago from July 6-8. Kehoe Designs spruced the venue up with thematic decor including lifesavers, boat paddles, and bundled logs.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

Upon arrival, guests got official Camp Groupon bags stuffed with goods from sponsoring companies.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

At the hotel, sponsors Coors Light and Leinenkugel hosted nightly happy hours. Guests sipped their beers in camp-themed lounge areas that had tables with faux built-in bonfires.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

A photo area at the Swissôtel had a woodsy backdrop.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

On Friday night, campers watched a screening of the Blues Brothers movie at Wrigley Field. The thousands of guests—who included Camp Groupon members and other locals—were encouraged to don sunglasses in honor of the movie character Elwood Blues. Ultimately, the group set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to wear sunglasses at night.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

On Saturday, the campers set out on different activity tracks that let them explore the city. Some guests opted to learn acrobatic skills at the local outpost of the Trapeze School of New York.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

Other popular activities included a trip to the Chicagoland Skydiving Center.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

On Saturday night, guests headed to Navy Pier for a private concert from the Counting Crows and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

A central bar at the concert doled out Coors Light beer, popcorn, and other snacks.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

After the concert, guests stepped outside to get an up-close view of the fireworks at Navy Pier, which go off every Saturday during the summer.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography

Banners strung between tree-like posts decorated the Hotel Bel-Air for the launch of Tori Spelling's new kids line, Little Maven.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraks

Pieces from the clothing collection hung above a kitschy campfire set up on the lawn.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraks

Sweets on a dessert table sat upon slabs of rustic logs.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraks

Kid-sized teepees sat beneath a banner that announced "Camp Little Maven."
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraks

Last fall, Tori Spelling and J.C. Penney celebrated the launch of Spelling's line for kids, Little Maven, at a family-friendly event at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. Banners strung between treelike posts decorated the outdoor area.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraks

Pieces from the Little Maven clothing collection hung above a kitschy campfire setup on the lawn.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraks

Dessert table offerings sat upon rustic wood slabs at the Little Maven event.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraks

After a move to Las Vegas, Maxim's annual Hot 100 event returned to Los Angeles this year. Taking over SBE's newest property, Create (formerly Vanguard), the Visionary Group transformed the raw space into an ode to American summer nights. Outside, the patio had a bonfire built into a real sandpit.
Photo: Nick Corradi

At Maxim's bash, there were lounge areas with embroidered beach cushions and custom listening stations in Coleman coolers, where guests could test Sony's new headphones. "We knew having an expansive patio was key to integrating the theme," said Visionary Group's Brian Diamond. "While we wanted to infuse the spirit of summer and patriotism throughout the overall event, building out an inviting outdoor space for guests to gather was what this concept was all about."
Photo: Nick Corradi

At the Hennessy V.S. Presents Details at Midnight event at Coachella, guests gathered in a tricked-out teepee.
Photo: Krill Was Here

Conceptbait Global Events & Florida Design Group used real graham crackers, Hershey bars, and two sizes of marshmallows to create centerpieces at the launch party for Three Olives S’mores Vodka at Hattricks Tavern in Tampa. Designers spray-painted manzanita branches brown and used a blowtorch to char the marshmallows before attaching them to the branches.
Photo: Frank Clemente

At the Catalina Casino for the Catalina Island Conservancy Ball in Los Angeles, the camp theme included centerpieces of illuminated apothecary jars filled with the makings of s'mores. Although the chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows on the table were there for the look, guests did have a chance to taste the nostalgic treat. Chef Paul Hancock of the Santa Catalina Island Company, who created a three-course meal for the evening, served a dessert that comprised layers of graham crackers with bittersweet dark chocolate and melted marshmallows.
Photo: Shana Cassidy Photography

At the 2011 Campfire Ball benefit for Children’s Oncology Services in Chicago, Cork Catering set up a make-your-own-s’mores station.
Photo: Gerber + Scarpelli Photography

Sears and Kmart wanted a garden-like setting for the December 2011 press preview of the spring 2012 home collections. Inside the the pop-up park at Openhouse Gallery in New York, an oversize picnic table set the tone for the warm-weather motif and provided a creative setting for the brands to showcase the brightly colored tableware in the Sandra by Sandra Lee collection.
Photo: BizBash

For the fifth annual Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, an all-night celebration of contemporary art presented by the City of Toronto, British artist Ryan Gander set up a wood-burning campfire at Yonge-Dundas Square for an exhibit called "Just Because You Can Feel It Doesn't Mean It's There."
Photo: Emma McIntyre for BizBash

Throw a little craft-making into the mix for a camp-like experience. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami, guests engaged in a make-your-own-jewelry station. Attendees at the D.I.Y.-themed poolside cocktail party were invited to make haute couture summer fashion accessories out of the luxury car brand's seat leather.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013
Launch Party for Three Olives S’mores Vodka

Conceptbait Global Events & Florida Design Group used real graham crackers, Hershey’s bars, and two sizes of marshmallows to create centerpieces for the launch party for Three Olives S’Mores Vodka Monday night at Hattricks Tavern in Tampa. Designers sprayed manzanita branches with dark brown paint and used a blow torch to char the marshmallows before attaching them to the branches.
Photo: Frank Clemente

TEDActive attendees seeking a break from the week’s activities—as well as a chance to reflect on the conference's hallmark "Ideas Worth Spreading"—could find downtime in a tranquil meditation room, where a lounge setup mimicked a campfire setting.
Photo: Marla Aufmuth/TED