Camp Quest

If your child age 8-17 is not yet going to a summer camp, there is still time to sign up for Camp Quest in some areas of the US.

Camp Quest? Founded in 1996...

Camp Quest (noun): 1. Summer camp beyond belief! 2. A place for fun, friends, and freethought for kids ages 8-17.

I think it's fantastic that many parents have the choice of a non-church summer camp.  That religious mumbo-jumbo will warp your brain if you let it, and the young are especially susceptible. 

Our Mission

Camp Quest provides an educational adventure shaped by fun, friends and freethought, featuring science, natural wonder and humanist values.

Values we teach: integrity, empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and community.

Our Vision

Camp Quest envisions a world in which children grow up exploring, thinking for themselves, connecting with their communities, and acting to make the most of life for themselves and others.

What do kids do at Camp Quest?

Activities vary from year to year and location to location of Camp Quest; however, all of our camps offer a mix of traditional summer camp activities and educational activities related to the Camp Quest mission.  Here is a sampling of some of the kinds of activities we tend to offer. For more information about activities at a specific camp, please visit its web site. Those links are offeredhere.

Traditional

• Archery
• Campfires
• Canoeing/Kayaking
• Climbing
• Crafts
• Dance
• Drama
• Field Trips
• Games
• High and Low Ropes Challenge Courses
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Overnight Sleepout
• Photography
• Singing & Songwriting
• Sports
• Swimming

Educational

• Astronomy
• Biology & Evolution
• Critical Thinking
• Ecology & Environmental Science
• Ethics
• Famous Freethinkers/Humanist Heroes
• Fossil Hunting
• Invisible Unicorn Challenge
• Philosophy
• Science Experiments
• World Religions

A summer camp for kids, without religious overtones.

Would a child who believes in God be comfortable at Camp Quest?

Answer

Yes. Campers at Camp Quest explore different worldviews, and many children aren't decided yet on their beliefs on the God question. Campers who believe in God may get a lot of interested questions from their fellow campers, but the camp environment fosters asking these questions in a spirit of dialogue and mutual respect. As far as we know, campers who believe in God have all had fun, made friends, and had a great Camp Quest experience.

Are campers at Camp Quest required to be atheists?   

Answer

No. Campers at Camp Quest are encouraged to think for themselves and are not required to hold any particular view. We firmly believe that children should not be labeled with worldview labels by adults, and instead should be encouraged to ask questions and explore different worldviews as they grow.

We do present atheism and humanism as valid and reasonable options for an ethical and fulfilling life, and most counselors at camp consider themselves to be atheists.

Sounds a whole lot better than boot camp, or juvy camp.