Northwest Canada Quest
Camp Tawonga offers Jewish overnight camp, adventure quests, and teen leadership programs near Yosemite.
▌ Editor's read Camp Tawonga, operating since 1925, is an ACA accredited overnight camp with accreditation valid through 2025. It is also licensed by the State of California with license number 550000001. The camp's website mentions that all staff undergo background checks. Google reviews show an impressive 4.9-star rating based on over 300 reviews, with themes often highlighting the strong community, connection to nature, and positive impact on campers. The camp is a nonprofit organization, and its 'About Us' page credits Rick and Barbara Runkel as founders. Social media handles include @camp_tawonga on Instagram and camptawonga on Facebook.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
⌬
Since 192898+ years operating
◍
Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 14–16
Northwest Canada Quest serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1928 (98 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Adventure
- Ages: 14–16
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 31201 Mather Rd, Groveland, CA 95321
- Phone: (415) 543-2267
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $5,250 for 2 weeks for most sessions. Some sessions have different pricing.
Runs 24-hour residential, 4 sessions (4 one-week), from May 22 to Sep 6.
Sessions
Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.
- Session 8 May 22 – 25, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 9 Aug 20 – 23, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 10 Aug 27 – 30, 2026 · 1 week
- Session 11 Sep 3 – 6, 2026 · 1 week
↗ What parents like
- Jewish cultural focus
- Located near Yosemite
- Offers financial assistance
↘ Watch for
- High cost per week
- Limited session availability
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Northwest Canada Quest
- What ages does Northwest Canada Quest accept?
- Northwest Canada Quest is open to children ages 14–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Northwest Canada Quest cost?
- Northwest Canada Quest publishes $2,625/week for the standard session. That sits 18% above the $2,232 median for adventure camps in Groveland — typical for specialty programs with smaller groups or premium facilities. $5,250 for 2 weeks for most sessions. Some sessions have different pricing. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Northwest Canada Quest's hours?
- Northwest Canada Quest runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Northwest Canada Quest accredited?
- Yes — Northwest Canada Quest is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 98 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Northwest Canada Quest?
- Northwest Canada Quest is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 98 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Northwest Canada Quest provide lunch?
- Northwest Canada Quest does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Northwest Canada Quest compare to other adventure camps in Groveland?
- Northwest Canada Quest is one of 7 adventure camps in Groveland that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Northwest Canada Quest with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Northwest Canada Quest.
- 6-Day Yosemite High Country Adventure · Yosemite National Park · Ages 13–18 · $1,990/week
- Camp Tawonga · Groveland, CA · Ages 7–17 · $1,795/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1 (Grades 5-10) - JCC Member Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 10–16 · $1,798/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1 (Grades 5-10) - Standard Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 10–16 · $1,898/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 2 (Grades 5-10) - JCC Member Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 10–16 · $1,798/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 2 (Grades 5-10) - Standard Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 10–16 · $1,898/week
- Quest H2O · Groveland, CA · Ages 14–16 · $2,625/week
- Rock and River Quest · Groveland, CA · Ages 14–16 · $2,625/week