Quest H2O
Camp Tawonga offers Jewish overnight camp, adventure quests, and teen leadership programs near Yosemite.
▌ Editor's read Camp Tawonga, established in 1925, is a non-profit Jewish overnight camp located near Yosemite National Park. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) with accreditation valid through 2024, and holds a California state license (Facility #550000001). The camp explicitly states that all staff undergo background checks. For younger campers (grades 2-4), the staff-to-camper ratio is 1:4, increasing to 1:5 for grades 5-7 and 1:6 for grades 8-10. Google reviews for Camp Tawonga average 4.8 stars from over 200 reviews, with parents frequently praising the inclusive community, engaging activities, and positive impact on their children's development. The website features an 'About Us' section detailing its history and mission, and social media handles (@camptawonga on Instagram and camptawonga on Facebook) are prominently displayed.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 192898+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 14–16
Quest H2O 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
- Published by camp see camp site →
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 Quest H2O
- What ages does Quest H2O accept?
- Quest H2O 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 Quest H2O cost?
- Quest H2O 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 Quest H2O's hours?
- Quest H2O 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 Quest H2O accredited?
- Yes — Quest H2O 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 Quest H2O?
- Quest H2O 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 Quest H2O provide lunch?
- Quest H2O 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 Quest H2O compare to other adventure camps in Groveland?
- Quest H2O 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 Quest H2O 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 Quest H2O.
- 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
- Northwest Canada Quest · Groveland, CA · Ages 14–16 · $2,625/week
- Rock and River Quest · Groveland, CA · Ages 14–16 · $2,625/week