Notes from the Road: Surf ‘n’ Turf Quest

Today’s blog post takes you behind the scenes of Tawonga’s Surf ‘n’ Turf Quest, which just returned home on Sunday. Session III families and fans: You can find your campers below in the photo gallery. Enjoy!

This summer’s Surf ‘n’ Turn Quest took campers to the best spots along California’s coastline, from the mountains of Big Sur to the sandy beaches of Ventura. Read below for highlights from this epic adventure!

Questers

12 rising 7th and 8th graders, co-ed group

Quest Leaders

Eve Schwartz & Will Harmon

Itinerary and Favorite Stops Along the Way

This group headed south from the Bay Area until they reached Ventura, stopping along the way to surf, backpack and kayak. Favorite stops included Butano State Park, Big Sur and the Channel Islands.

Trip Highlights

• Spending the first day counting up to 150 banana slugs in the campground at Butano State Park during the day hike until dusk
• Singing “All Star” (a Quest favorite throughout the trip) by Smash Mouth at the Ventura RV Resort karaoke style
• Learning how to play “double-deck” card games so that all 12 questers could play the same card game at once
• Surfing lessons — all 12 kids could stand on the surfboard by the end of the second day of lessons!
• When all Questers voluntarily sang songs together on the tarp on the last night

Beautiful Views Included

• Pigeon Point Lighthouse
• Whales visible from Highway 1 during the drive to the trailhead
• A beach backdrop to the Friday Shabbat service
• Baby dolphins and baby seals seen on the ferry ride to the Channel Islands

Leader Reflections

“On Quest, the Wilderness leaders get to know the kids on a deep and profound level– it’s an incredibly special connection.”

“It’s so cool experiencing all of the new locations together along with the kids. That’s my favorite part of the job.”

Tikkun Olam

Questers practiced the third rung of the Tawonga Mission that emphasizes the importance of Tikkun Olam, or “repairing the world” by participating in a beach clean-up during their Quest adventure.

Check out photos below from the Surf ‘n’ Turf Quest as well as from Session III.