Quest's Strategy
Quest utilizes a comprehensive therapeutic system that provides a treatment plan individualized for each child.  Interventions combine mental health support, social skill development, and occupational therapy. Through observing the child in camp activities throughout the day, our staff is able to see how problems present themselves. Quest staff is trained to provide positive intervention to teach new, constructive behaviors. Counselors provide verbal support for accomplishments and directions for areas of improvement.  A 6 to 1 ratio of staff to children is provided for older campers, while a 4 to 1 ratio is provided for younger campers.  

Quest provides an atmosphere where children feel accepted and respected. The program has been specifically developed to reduce any apprehension or discomfort that campers may experience. This environment allows children to take risks, try new positive behaviors, listen to staff direction, handle disappointments and develop positive relationships with other campers and staff. Using parental input and individual assessment by Quest professionals, each child is provided a treatment plan that helps address the most critical issues. During each hour of every day, the child receives specific staff feedback about the positive and negative aspects of his/her behavior. By developing this open, nurturing environment, campers make positive changes.

Realistically, change takes time. The longer a camper attends Quest, the more progress s/he makes. While three consecutive weeks is the minimum attendance, longer attendance is strongly recommended. In the first weeks, the camper understands the relationship of his/her behavior to others’ reactions. Then, experimentation with new behaviors and attitudes occurs. As the child feels more confident, positive behaviors are strengthened. Longer participation solidifies new patterns. Based on an independent research study and parent evaluations over several years, Quest has been found to significantly reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression and inattention while improving peer relations, family relations, athletic competency, behavioral control and self-esteem.

Quest parents consistently rate very high satisfaction with the overall summer program, quality of staff, individualized goals and behavior ratings, campers’ enjoyment, and the ability to keep their child’s interest. Physicians, educators, therapists and parents refer families to Quest because of the consistent progress children make with the therapeutic program.


Quest Activities
Quest is fun! Through the day camp activities, children have fun while counselors assist them in solving problems and increasing confidence. Sports such as rock climbing and soccer, games, arts & crafts, activities, library time, singing and “Fabulous Fridays” entertain while providing learning experiences at camp.  Quest campers rock climb twice per week at the ClimbX Indoor Rock Climbing Gym in Huntington Beach.  Soccer is played in the soccer arena at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex.  Providing children the opportunity for free play is also in place since many of our campers struggle with unstructured free play in the school setting and we want to build their skills in this area. Field trips include beach days, Knott’s Berry Farm, Discovery Science Center, Boomers, Legoland and an experiential high-ropes course. Field trips have been developed to provide the most entertainment with opportunity for personal growth within the safety found at Quest Camp. An education component about the importance of good health through appropriate exercise and nutrition is also included into programming.  Quest is a soda and candy free zone in which campers earn extra rewards for making good nutritional choices. Also a nutritionist has provided consultation to assist with planning healthy snacks for campers.

We are excited to have Wayne Centra, MOTR/L, of Karate For All returning this summer to provide his Martial Arts Occupational Therapy Program for our campers! Wayne creates occupational therapy programming specifically created for Quest campers. Wayne's weekly groups typically build skills in areas such as sensory processing, motor planning, gross motor skills, strength building, and social skills.


Adventure Week
The Adventure Week includes extended days to account for larger field trips as well as an overnight camping trip and special water based activities. Quest campers are eligible for this week if they have already completed a minimum of 3 weeks of camp and have demonstrated behavior that is consistent with success experiences in more challenging field trips. This week includes therapeutic groups and interventions similar to those in the other weeks of camp. This year we are offering a 2-night camping trip for our older and more experienced campers, while our youngest, new campers will have a 1-night camping trip.