Some adventures are measured in miles. Others are measured in moments.
For the nine ninth and tenth graders who set out on this year’s Northwest Canada Quest guided by trip leaders Kat, Avital and Ariel, three weeks in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia offered plenty of both. From backpacking the coastline of Olympic National Park to sea kayaking through the San Juan Islands, climbing in Squamish, rafting the Umpqua River, and watching the sunrise at Crater Lake, every stop offered new adventures and discoveries.
In Jewish tradition, moments of awe invite us to pause, pay attention, and recognize that we are part of something far greater than ourselves. Throughout Quest, the natural world became both the classroom and the teacher.
One unforgettable moment happened before the group even crossed into Canada. While paddling sea kayaks through the kelp forests and rocky channels surrounding Orcas Island, the Questers spotted an unexpected visitor. Along the shoreline, a sun-kissed blonde raccoon wandered through the tide pools, searching for its next meal. From their kayaks, the group quietly watched the animal go about its afternoon, a reminder that nature often rewards those who slow down and simply notice.
That sense of curiosity became a theme throughout the trip.
After one especially full day, the group paused for a “sit spot” in a peaceful Washington forest. In silence, each Quester found a place to observe the world around them while practicing the Jewish tradition of asking questions. One banana slug became the center of attention for nearly thirty minutes as campers wondered where it had come from and where it was headed.
As the sun dipped lower through the trees, one camper quietly summed up the experience: “When you slow down, you can notice so many amazing things.”
In a world that often encourages us to move faster, Quest offered something different: the chance to be fully present. Those quiet moments of observation helped campers cultivate the kind of awe that Jewish tradition says can deepen our gratitude for creation and our responsibility to care for it.
The journey also included moments that called for teamwork and perseverance. During a three-night backpacking trip through Olympic National Park, the group reached a series of steep wooden ladders built into seaside cliffs. Wearing heavy backpacks, the climb looked daunting at first. Instead of rushing ahead, the Questers worked together, passing backpacks from one person to another and encouraging each other every step of the way. By sharing both the physical weight and the responsibility of helping one another, they discovered that difficult moments become far more manageable when everyone contributes.
The adventures continued north in British Columbia, where campers tested themselves on outdoor rock climbs and hiked to the summit of The Chief, one of Squamish’s most iconic peaks. The effort paid off with sweeping views that stretched for miles.
“That was so hard but so worth it!” one Quester exclaimed afterward. “This is the coolest hike I’ve ever done.”
Not every highlight happened on land.
Two days spent rafting Oregon’s Umpqua River became one of the defining experiences of the trip. Hours on the river were filled with teamwork, laughter, and shared triumphs as everyone navigated the rapids together. By the end of the second day, one camper had already made a request for future summers: “Rafting is so fun! I wish we could do this every day!”
The shared experiences extended beyond the adventures themselves. Throughout the trip, Questers took turns preparing meals, cleaning camp, and helping one another with daily responsibilities. After one especially successful dinner, a proud camper looked around at the meal the group had prepared and laughed, “Whoa guys! We lowkey cheffed up!”
For trip co-leader Ariel, these everyday moments were the highlight of the trip.
“In reflection on leading Northwest Canada Quest 2026, I really loved getting to spend so much time with the same group of kids, learning about them and helping them grow as individuals. I also loved getting to share my passion for backpacking by actually experiencing it alongside them instead of just talking about it. Watching the group become more confident, independent, and connected over the course of the trip was super rewarding. Throughout Quest, kids get the chance to truly experience what it’s like to live in a community by sharing responsibilities like cooking and cleaning, and supporting and always looking out for each other. Those are life skills that I think so many of them will carry with them long after Quest is over.“
As Northwest Canada Quest came to a close, the memories stretched far beyond mountain summits and scenic coastlines. They included music-filled car rides with the windows down, shared meals around camp, quiet moments in the forest, and friendships strengthened through every paddle stroke, trail, and rapid.
The landscapes of the Pacific Northwest offered countless opportunities for adventure, but perhaps their greatest gift was the invitation to experience awe. By slowing down, asking questions, supporting one another, and opening themselves to the beauty around every bend, questers returned home with more than incredible memories, but with stronger friendships, greater confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary world they are called to explore.
