About QAC

Quest Adventure Camp 2025

We are dedicated to providing an unforgettable inclusive camp experience for children aged 6-19 diagnosed with a developmental disability.

Application for QAC 2025 is now closed.

camp@calgaryquestresources.com

587-998-2118

Members of the public can leave a compliment or report a concern about Quest Adventure Camp by completing this online form. Submissions can be anonymous if you choose.

Public feedback form

Dates: June 23- August 8 2025. QAC operates weekdays for seven weeks of summer, closed on statutory holidays. Each week is booked as an individual camp- visit the dates and themes page for details.

Hours: 9:00 am -3:30 pm, with optional before and after care available.

Location

Renfrew Community Association

811 Radford Road NE

This summer, Quest Adventure Camp will take place at Renfrew Community Association.

We get everyone outdoors and active every day! There are two large playgrounds and huge playing fields right outside the community centre. We are also very excited to explore our new home in Renfrew community.

If the weather is not cooperating, indoor active play is planned as an alternative to allow the Campers to climb, jump, dance, and scoot their energy out.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, learn, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy – the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani; the Tsuut’ina; the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations of Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley; the Métis Nation of Alberta (Region 3); and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Campers

QAC Campers must be at least 6 years of age by the commencement of camp, and be no older than 19 by its conclusion.

All are welcome! Your child does not need to be a student of Quest School to attend Quest Adventure Camp.

We welcome children and young people of ALL ability levels. You will be asked to provide information about your child’s diagnoses, medical and personal care needs, behaviour, and communication. Your child’s individual needs will be assessed during our application process to ensure that we can safely support and fully include them at QAC. We aim to be as inclusive as possible, but the safety of our campers, our staff, and the public is our top priority.

Our dedicated team of camp counsellors are ready to meet the unique individual needs of our Campers, operating on a ratio of two to five campers to each counsellor, based on the independence level of the camper group. Campers will be placed in a group with other children of similar age and ability; activities are tailored to the interests of each group, to encourage exploration and challenge them to grow and learn through hand-on activities.

If your child has mobility needs such as being a wheelchair user, please contact the camp manager to discuss the school environment and our capacity to accommodate.

Young adults over the age of 19 may be interested in Quest Centre for Opportunity, an extension program for young people with disabilities who have recently left school. This is a year-round program that focuses on building practical life skills, volunteer opportunities, community inclusion, and fostering social relationships. Visit the their webpage for more information.

Staff

The Manager of Quest Adventure Camp since 2022, Jackie Ervin has over 19 years of experience supporting children and young people with developmental disabilities in respite home care, community integration, and special education. She is a specialist in crisis intervention, behaviour management, and inclusive recreation. She has extensive experience supporting children with complex medical and behavioural challenges, using this experience to guide the counsellors in providing a high level of care rooted in compassion and focused on building self-esteem.

Our team of professional counsellors are enthusiastic, creative, and caring, bringing their energy and passion to QAC each and every day to serve as positive role models for our Campers. The Quest Care and Recreation staff, who work in the school daily at Before and After Care, are the core of our summer team. We select additional counsellors from amongst the Quest School instructional assistants, as well as post-secondary students studying related fields such as education, disability studies, community rehabilitation, nursing, kinesiology, and psychology. We also seek caregivers with experience working with special needs children. Counsellors are required to complete our employment screening process, which includes Criminal Background and Vulnerable Sector checks.

We welcome volunteers to assist the campers with their activities, particularly seeking adults with developmental disabilities to provide mentorship to the Campers. Volunteer duties focus on encouraging activity participation and fostering the inclusive environment we value. Volunteers are also required to complete our screening process.

Our staff list will be shared with registered families once it is finalized, so you can put names to faces and know who is caring for your child every day.

Campers who require one-on-one support are welcome to participate with the assistance of their own Personal Aide provided by the family. QAC does not offer one-on-one support nor hire Aides, however we are happy to work closely with Aides attending with a Camper to ensure that they are fully integrated into their group.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity and equity are core values at the Calgary Quest Children’s Society; Quest Adventure Camp is a safe space for everyone. We welcome all Campers and staff regardless of socio-economic status, religious background, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. We seek to build self-confidence for everyone and foster respectful relationships between people from all walks of life. Quest is dedicated to building a strong community for all.

Weekly Field Trips

All Campers will have an opportunity to take an adventure! Every week we will go on a field trip in that week’s theme. Camp fees are inclusive of transportation and any Field Trip entry fees.

Field trip transportation is provided in our Quest vans and/or a chartered school bus. Please note that if your child requires a car seat or booster, harness, angel clip, or other vehicle safety items, parents must provide these items on field trip days.

Safety is our number one priority, particularly during field trips. We conduct risk assessments for each trip and train our staff to supervise their group with vigilance. For additional safety, campers and staff wear matching camp tank-tops during outings.

Guest Presenters

We invite visitors to come share their interests and expertise with us- such as animal handlers, magicians, artists, and cooks. We also invite members of the First Nations communities to share their knowledge and culture with our Campers.

Music therapy takes place every week; our guest music therapist crafts a session to explore the week’s theme with music, movement, and rhythm.

Transportation

QAC does not provide transportation to or from camp; parents/ carers are responsible for providing reliable transportation.

Many campers use Calgary Transit Access to travel to camp. Please visit their website for more information on their service and how to apply.

Before & After Care

We understand that regular camp hours do not always fit every family’s schedule, so we offer before and after care outside of regular camp hours to help meet your needs. Campers are given the opportunity to enjoy a variety of self-directed activities, with access to toys, games, music, arts and crafts, sensory play, quiet rest time, and physical activities both indoors and out, supervised by our counsellors.

Morning Care: 7:00 – 9:00 am, $44.00 per day

Afternoon Care: 3:30 – 6:00 pm, $55.00 per day

B&A must be pre-scheduled for staffing purposes- you will be asked to select dates in June shortly before camp commences.

Funding

Many QAC Campers receive fee assistance through FSCD (Family Support for Children with Disabilities). If you have an FSCD contract, your case worker will be able to provide information about adding an addendum for camp fees, and before and after care. For more information about FSCD, please visit their website.

Merchandise

Every Camper will receive a QAC t-shirt to keep.

Extra t-shirts are available for purchase, along with water bottles, sweatshirts, and more! Make your selections during registration, or contact the camp manager to make an order outside of registration.

Next: Camp Dates, Themes, and Prices