Program Overview
Is your teen ready to fine-tune their survival skills? Teen Adventure Week: Survival Quest is about being willing to try new things and learning from staff experienced in outdoor living skills and survival.
Teens do not need to be outdoor-savvy to participate in Survival Quest, but they do need to be active and willing participants in the program. Campers will learn essential outdoor survival techniques, including shelter building, fire-making, and navigation. Through hands-on experiences and challenges, participants will build confidence and resilience while bonding with fellow adventurers. Participants will also have the opportunity to complete the Red Cross Wilderness First Aid course, with qualified candidates gaining certification at the end of the week.
Survival Quest campers reside in the Crescent Lodge, which is complete with electricity and AC, but campers spend the majority of their day outside in nature. The program includes offsite trips to local hiking trails and state parks, weather and availability dependent.
The Survival Quest program travels off-site, which requires campers to be able to safely travel, hike, and participate in community experiences. For that reason, campers must be able to meet the behavioral expectations outlined for specialty programming. Teens may bring electronics such as tablets and personal gaming devices (no cell phones) for use during structured technology time in the evenings.
Participants interested in Teen Adventure Week: Thrill Seekers may elect to stay the “bridge weekend” between the two programs for an additional cost. Campers join our main camp programming during this time.
To participate successfully in Teen Survival Quest, teens should:
- Have the ability and willingness to hike a one-mile uphill trail with plenty of breaks, carrying a backpack similar to one they would use for school.
- Be willing to try camp food that is different to what is prepared in the dining hall and be offered alternatives that are simple but filling.
- Be willing to get a little “dirtier” due to the outdoor nature of the experience. There will be bugs/dirt.
- Be understanding that each day is structured differently than the others, and the schedule is always susceptible to changes in weather.
- Be able to follow staff guidance surrounding safety and expectations for interactions with others and be able to stay with the group safely on off-site trips.
Survival Quest Review
“He actually enjoyed helping with all the tasks that needed to be done and enjoyed the more rugged, adventurous experience. I think having shown himself that he enjoyed an unknown experience has given him more confidence in himself.”
– Parent of Teen Adventure Camper