Taste of Quest
Camp Tawonga offers Jewish overnight camp, adventure quests, and teen leadership programs near Yosemite.
▌ Editor's read Camp Tawonga's website loads successfully and presents as a legitimate camp. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) with an expiration year of 2025, and holds California state license number 550000001. The camp, founded by Rick and Barbara Runkel, has been operating for 97 years, indicating a long-standing presence and experience in youth programming. The website explicitly states that staff undergo background checks. Camp Tawonga is a nonprofit organization offering overnight programs, including specific sessions like "Taste of Quest." Google reviews show an impressive average rating of 4.9 stars from over 300 reviews, with common themes praising the strong community, connection to nature, and positive impact on campers. Social media handles include @camp_tawonga on Instagram and camptawonga on Facebook.
Who thrives here Ages 11–13
Taste of Quest is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. adventure programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1929 (97 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Adventure
- Ages: 11–13
- 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 Taste of Quest
- What ages does Taste of Quest accept?
- Taste of Quest is open to children ages 11–13. 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 Taste of Quest cost?
- Taste of 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 Taste of Quest's hours?
- Taste of 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 Taste of Quest accredited?
- Yes — Taste of Quest is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 97 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 Taste of Quest?
- Taste of Quest is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 97 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 Taste of Quest provide lunch?
- Taste of 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 Taste of Quest compare to other adventure camps in Groveland?
- Taste of 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 Taste of 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 Taste of 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 1a (Grades 3-6) - JCC Member Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 8–12 · $1,897/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1a (Grades 3-6) - Standard Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 8–12 · $1,997/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1b (Grades 2-5) - JCC Member Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 7–11 · $1,895/week
- Camp Tawonga - Session 1b (Grades 2-5) - Standard Fee · Groveland, CA · Ages 7–11 · $1,995/week