50 COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Who goes to Adventurequest?
A: People like you! If your looking for a truly incredible experience, and are ready to embark on a journey to one of the most beautiful places in the world and learn a variety of useful skills while having the time of your life, then Adventurequest is for you.

Q: Where do Adventurequest campers come from?
A: All over the globe. Thanks to the Internet, Adventurequest is able to reach out to people worldwide. Most of our campers come from all fifty United States and Canada. Hosting campers from around the world provides a culturally diverse experience.

Q: Can I call parent references from previous Adventurequest trips?
A: Absolutely! We have a list of phone numbers and e-mail address’s of parents and guardians that would be more than happy to share with you their son’s or daughter’s incredible experience with Adventurequest. Please call us to receive contact information.

Q: Is this a good camp for a first time camper?
A: Yes. Whether you have been to camp or not does not matter. Adventurequest will be a totally new and different camping experience for both the first timer and the veteran camper.

Q: Must I have experience in these outdoor activities to come to Adventurequest?
A: No. In fact most of our campers don't have any experience at all with our activities. These campers tend to be the ones that gain the most from Adventurequest.

Q: I've done all of this before, will Adventurequest be exciting and challenging for me?
A: Yes. All of our activities offer challenges for all skill levels, in fact, most outdoor recreation activities take a whole lifetime to master. Challenge is by choice, and all of the activities provide new and exciting challenges even for those who have experience.

Q: What kind of physical shape do I need to be in for Adventurequest?
A: Just average physical health. You do not need to be a triathlete! Everyone goes at their own pace. Any physical concerns should be documented on the campers’s health form so Adventurequest can provide the proper alternative activity.

Q: How strenuous are the daily activities?
A: Certain activities can be strenuous. Adventurequest's policy is challenge by choice. Campers challenge themselves within their own comfort levels.

Q: Is Adventurequest safe?
A: Safety is foremost our top priority. Please read about safety on SAFETY FIRST

Q: If I don’t like a particular activity do I have to participate in that activity?
A: No. Although we try to encourage campers to try new things, Adventurequest offers alternative activities every day. For example, hiking, picnics, fishing, crafts, sightseeing, etc...

Q: Where do we sleep?
A: Campers sleep in two and three person backpacking tents. Campers bring their own sleeping bag and pad. See WHAT TO BRING page for details.

Q: What do we eat?
A: Good, healthy, and nutritious food. We can whip up anything in our camp kitchen that you can prepare at home. We can even bake birthday cakes! See GOURMET CAMP FOOD page for details.

Q: Who are the chefs?
A: You are! Campers prepare meals with the guidance of our staff.

Q: Do we ever get to eat out at a restaurant?
A: Yes! Sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking! Adventurequest will take the group out for dinner, or order pizza at the campground. Campers are permitted to buy food (snacks) at stops along the way.

Q: What are the bathrooms like at the campgrounds?
A: All campgrounds are different. Some have water, showers, sinks, etc. Some have pit toilets, or outhouses, and in the backcountry, well... there are no toilets! (Adventurequest practices low impact camping techniques.)

Q: How often will we have the chance to shower?
A: Campers have the opportunity to shower at least every three to four days and sometimes more often than that. Everyday we will be able to swim in the clear mountain lakes and streams, and even an occasional hot spring.

Q: How often will we do our laundry?
A: Laundry is done once a week at a local Laundromat. Emergency loads can be arranged when needed. Please pack according to the clothes list on the WHAT TO BRING page, its easiest to conserve cargo space this way. We will do laundry.

Q: How many campers are in each group?
A: Average group size is 12-16

Q: Are there more boys than girls on the trips?
A: No, the percentage of girls and boys are usually about the same.

Q: How many guides are in each group?
A: Three guides are with the group and often a fourth specialized guide will join us for the day.

Q: What is the ratio of campers to guides?
A: Approximately four or five to one.

Q: What is the average age of Adventurequest staff?
A: Approximately twenty-five years old. All drivers and trip leaders are over twenty-five, and all guides are at least twenty-one.

Q: Who will be serving as a mentor for my son/daughter?
A: Adventurequest selects the best possible staff to lead each group. Please go to our PROFESSIONAL STAFF page to learn more.

Q: How does my son/daughter get to Adventurequest?
A: Typically campers come to us via air travel. Flights should be booked well in advance in order to secure the best possible reservations. See TRANSPORTATION page for more information.

Q: How and where do we meet at the airport?
A: Adventurequest meets all campers at the gate where they unload the plane. It is important to make sure we have all of the flight information so that Adventurequest staff can obtain permission to pass through security and proceed to the correct gate. The airport in Bozeman (Gallatin Field) is very small and meeting at one of the three gates is very easy since there is usually only one flight coming in at a time. After you sign up you will receive a camp tee shirt, please where it on the first day as we will be wearing ours!

Q: How do we travel from place to place while on our adventure?
A: We travel in new fifteen passenger vans. See CAMPING WITH AQ page for more details.

Q: What are the campgrounds like?
A: Spectacular! We stay at a mix of front country park and forest service campgrounds as well as primitive backcountry sites. See our CAMPING WITH AQ page for more details.

Q: How long do we stay at each campground?
A: Typically three to four nights before we move on.

Q: How long are we in the van when we travel?
A: Most of the time in the van is short, however sometimes on travel days it could be longer. Our longest trip is about three hours.

Q: Do campers normally come with friend(s)?
A: Yes!, and No! Some campers come with friends but this does not necessarily mean that you will be with the friend you come with all the time. Everyone makes new friends on the trip.

Q: Will campers need spending money? How much?
A: Campers do not NEED any spending money because all expenses are paid for. However, Campers typically bring around one hundred dollars for gifts, souvenirs, extra snacks, etc... Adventurequest offers a money sign out option to help campers learn how to budget their own money. Travelers checks are recommended.

Q: Do I need to buy a lot of equipment for my son/daughter for these trips?
A: No! The main items on the equipment list are: sleeping bag ($50-$75), sleeping pad($10-$50), & hiking or trail sneakers 3/4 top($60-$90) See our WHAT TO BRING page for a complete list.

Q: Is Adventurequest accredited?
A: Yes! Adventurequest is a proud member of The National Camping Association (NCA).
See our WHO IS ADVENTUREQUEST page for more information on our credentials.

Q: What is the plan for rainy days?
A: Sometimes our activities are fun in the rain! Our educated staff will make a safe decision whether or not to postpone, reschedule, or continue our daily activities. A quick note about weather in the Rockies - "If you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes, but never under estimate the weather." Most of the rain showers do not last very long in the summertime so we usually do not have to cancel activities. Alternatives include: movies, fly tying, beading, group games, etc...

Q: How early do we wake up?
A: Most days will start at 7:00am, just after sunrise.

Q: What is bedtime/lights out?
A: Most days will end at 10:00pm, just shortly after dark. Lights out 30 minutes after bedtime.

Q: Will we get to see wildlife? What kind?
A: Yes! The Greater Yellowstone Country is known for its wildlife. Adventurequest campers have seen elk, buffalo, moose, deer, bears, wolves, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bald eagles and more! Every group is guaranteed to see some wildlife!

Q: Can we eat the fish we catch?
A: Yes! Montana’s trout streams are among the finest in the world. Rainbows and browns are delicious, and campers are welcome to cook the fish they catch in areas where permitted by federal or state law. Catch and release fishing rules apply in some areas.

Q: What if I get sick or injured before the trip begins?
A: In the event of an unforeseen, unfortunate event Adventurequest will work with each individual family to reschedule, credit, or refund camp tuition if possible.

Q: What if I get sick on the trip?
A: Adventurequest’s staff will take any camper who has an illness to the proper medical facility. We will notify the parent or guardian immediately. Refunds cannot be issued due to illness, however, discounts on future trips may be awarded.

Q: What if I get injured on the trip?
A: Adventurequest’s staff will take any camper who has an injury to the proper medical facility. We will notify the parent or guardian immediately. Refunds cannot be issued due to injury, however, discounts on future trips may be awarded.

Q: What about homesickness?
A: Adventurequest strives hard to reduce homesickness. Our staff offers one on one counseling to combat this problem. Most often it does not help to talk to someone at home on a regular basis. We encourage campers who are feeling homesick to write letters, postcards, etc..., and to call home only at the regularly scheduled times. Most of the time campers are to busy having fun to get homesick, but sometimes it happens.

Q: Are campers ever sent home early from camp? Why?
A: Campers are encouraged to stay the entire trip in order to preserve the group’s integrity. There are a few instances a camper would leave a trip early. For example; a family emergency. In this case Adventurequest will issue credit toward another trip. Prearranged departures for schedule conflicts are permitted. If a camper were to be dismissed from Adventurequest for a violation of the TERMS AND CONDITIONS (signed by both parent/guardian and camper) for example, misconduct, illegal drug use, etc... no refund or credit can be issued.

Q: Does Adventurequest carry cell phones/radios on every trip?
A; Yes!, Both! Cell phones are a great communication tool except they are sometimes useless because we may be out of range for reception. SAR (search and rescue, or “coast guard” ) radios are the most effective means for contacting the proper rescue agencies in the event of a backcountry, emergency situation.

Q: Will the altitude affect me on this trip?
A: It is not likely. We camp at an average elevation of 5500 feet, and may summit peaks above 10,000 feet. We take the necessary time needed to acclimate before exerting ourselves at higher elevations. Acute Altitude sickness normally only starts to affect a small percentage of people around 17,000 feet (about 5000 feet higher than we will go.)

Q: Can we send and receive mail during our trip?
A: Yes! Postal stops will be made in Big Sky two times during each trip for incoming mail. We recommend mail sent to campers in Big Sky be postmarked at least ten days prior to scheduled mail pick up dates. Adventurequest is not responsible for any delayed, missed, or lost mail.

Q: Will campers be able to check and send e-mail messages during the trip?
A: Yes! We will have the opportunity to stop periodically at Internet cafes along the way.

Q: How will I be able to contact my son/daughter while they are on the trip?
A: You can call our office or our cell phone to leave a message or to speak with your son/daughter any time during the trip. Our office staff will contact you with our whereabouts, relay the message, or have the camper return your call. We try to be prompt with messages. Usually it’s the same day that we are able to put you in touch with your son/daughter but sometimes it may take longer due to our specific location.

Q: Will I be able to call home? When?
A: Yes! Phone calls can be made at pre-scheduled times, on pre-scheduled days so that parents and or families can arrange to be available to take the calls. Arrangements for calls on special dates ( i.e. birthdays, etc... ) cannot always be accommodated due to the nature of our schedule. See our CAMPING WITH AQ page for details.

Q: How and when do I sign up?
A: NOW! Adventurequest has limited space in order to preserve the quality experience that we offer.
Do Not Delay! All that is required is a refundable deposit of 20% to reserve the summer trip of a lifetime.
Click on BOOK NOW to reserve online or to download a reservations form!