Teen Quest is a youth mission assisting churches, communities, and families, winning, equipping, and empowering students for ministry through camping, student groups, ministry teams, and global evangelism.  Mark and Debbi Witt founded Teen Quest in 1976.

We host camping, missions, and events year-round at the Teen Quest Ranch.

The Teen Quest Ranch is located in the beautiful Laurel Highlands in Somerset, PA, the highest elevation of Pennsylvania. We are about 3 -4 hours from Columbus, Cleveland, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.  We are 2 hours from Erie and 1 hour out of Pittsburgh.

Yes, we are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

IF GOOGLE MAPS OR YOUR GPS INSTRUCTS YOU TO TURN ONTO SUGAR MAPLE ROAD, THIS INCORRECT. PLEASE USE THE DIRECTIONS BELOW:

FROM THE WEST: Exit the Pennsylvania turnpike (Exit #91 Donegal) Turn left (East) onto Route 31 and proceed through the mountains for about 12 miles past Hidden Valley Ski Resort, Kooser State Park and Cohen gas station in the town of Bakersville. Turn right after Cohen onto Trent Road and proceed for about 2.5 miles. (You will see signs for Seven Springs and will go past the entrance to Pioneer Park campground and Laurel Hill State Park) Just past Laurel Hill State Park turn left onto Indiantown Road. (You will see our signs.) Proceed 2.2 miles and turn left onto Rich Road. (You see our entrance sign for the Teen Quest Ranch.)

FROM THE EAST: Exit the Pennsylvania turnpike (Exit #110 in Somerset) Proceed forward on turnpike road. Turn right (South) at the stop light onto North Center Avenue (601) Proceed past the court house on North Center Avenue - (601) through town…turn right (West) at the third stop light. (West Main Street- Glades Pike Road and Rt 31) Follow Route 31 for several miles. As soon as you see Oakhurst Restuarant, travel about 1.5 more miles. Turn left onto Trent Road and proceed for about 2.5 miles. (You will see signs for Seven Springs and will go past the entrance to Pioneer Park Campground and Laurel Hill State Park.) Just past Laurel Hill State Park, turn left onto Indiantown Road. (You will see our signs) Proceed 2.2 miles and turn left onto Rich Road. (You will see our entrance sign for the Teen Quest Ranch.

The weather during summer camps is a median temperature of 70-80 weather. Our mountain nights tend to cool so sweatshirts are advisable.

Snow Camp is held at the Teen Quest Ranch which is nestled in a plateau between two mountain ridges at an altitude of 2700 feet. We are in the Pennsylvania snow belt and temperatures can reach as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The average temperature for January and February is around 25 degrees F and we receive snow before more other areas.

WEEKLONG CAMPS BEGIN
*Teen Camp registration begins on Sunday at 4 pm.
*Kids Camp registration begins on Sunday at 4 pm.

WEEKLONG CAMPS END
*Teen Camp Closing ceremony at 9:30am on Saturday.
*Join us for closing ceremony 
6:00pm  for Kids Camp on Friday.

WEEKEND CAMPS BEGIN
Check-in begins Friday 7:30 pm with the first activity at 9:15 pm

WEEKEND CAMPS END
Pick-up is at 11am on Sunday.

Teen Quest’s weekend programs are available for youth grades 6-12 and are organized by current grade level. Our weeklong camps are divided into Kids Camp, grades 2 -5 and Teen Camps, grades 6 – 12.   Camps are organized by grade level for the coming fall session.

Campers stay in heated/air conditioned bunk-style cabins with restroom facilities inside cabins.

Cabins accommodate various size groups of campers. We have cabins of 8 – 22. (We house multiple groups in cabins for our programs if needed.)

At Teen Quest, the safety and security of our campers and guests is at the top of our priority list. Since 1979, God has blessed us with an excellent track record of health and safety. Your children’s safety in extremely important.
A camping program is only as good as its counselors.  Our counselors care about kids and they are committed to sharing Christ while providing a challenging, but safe environment. They are college age or older and many have grown up through the ministry of Teen Quest.  Counselors are screened thoroughly, giving a clear testimony of salvation in Christ.  They are dedicated to making your camper’s week safe and enjoyable. Our counselors receive in-depth staff orientation and are supported throughout the summer from our experienced leadership team.
As part of our hiring process, Teen Quest questions several adults who know the applicant and can attest to their character and integrity.   All our staff have FBI clearance and child abuse clearance.

Our programs are planned to be age appropriate. To accept an older child in the program geared for younger campers would not be a positive experience for him/her.   Accepting a younger child in the program for older students would not meet his/her needs effectively.

Sleeping bag, pillow, towels, soap, toiletries, jacket, Bible, notebook, pen, flashlight, modest one-piece swimsuit, one set of clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy.  Optional: musical instruments and props for skits, skateboard, paintball gun. You can bring your paintball gun, but your paintballs are not allowed.  
Equipment for Specialty Activities: If you would like to use the skateboard ramps, you may bring your board. You may also bring your own ice skates, skis, or snowboard.
All clothing worn by campers should be modest and in good taste. In some cases, we may ask campers who are wearing questionably immodest clothing (i.e. very short shorts, tight or see-through clothing, cropped shirts, excessively low-riding jeans, etc.)to change. Please be sure camper packs appropriately.

For cold weather, think warm and pack cold. Pack: toiletries, personal items, indoor clothing, bathing suit, layers of clothes like sweaters, hats, gloves, scarf, waterproof snow boots, laundry bag, indoor slippers, towels, pillow, sleeping bag, extra blanket, heavy winter coat, moisturizing cream, lip balm, sunglasses, bible (if you have one), and notebook.

PLEASE DO NOT PACK: 
Alcohol, drugs, tobacco, fireworks, electronic equipment. These items will be confiscated and returned to you before leaving camp.  In the atmosphere of a camp, campers tend to forget, lose track of, or missplace things.  We are not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

Be sure your camper takes home all that he brought with him to camp. We suggest you mark all items ahead of time. All items unclaimed at the end of each camp are donated to local charities. We are not responsible for lost items.

We recommend extra spending money for souvenirs or snacks purchased in our Tin Spur, extra paintballs ($5 per 100). Campers are encouraged to give to the offering.

Often, items don’t thoroughly dry due to humidity. We would suggest two towels for weeklong camps.

We understand that for many parents, leaving your camper is a difficult thing. (Some parents get more homesick than campers!). We encourage you to write your camper while they are at camp.

Please send camper mail to:   Quest@teenquest.org

(Be sure to put your camper’s full  name on the email.)

We will print letters off daily and hand out at the nightly rally to your camper. 

Your child can certainly room with a friend. Please notify us ahead of time so we can make that happen.

This is handled on an individual basis depending on our crowds and the breakdown of cabins. Definitely, two to three friends can room together.

We welcome a parent in a volunteer position. We do, however, require a volunteer registration and state required clearances. You would not be housed with your child and would fulfill any position where there is a need. We charge you the camping fee. Additional siblings accompanying you is not convenient for you or your other child.

We are sorry that they have not arrived. Sometimes they go directly into your spam folder and they’re missed. Release/health forms can be found on our website. You can download your follow-up form off the Home page of TeenQuest.org

Each life-changing day at Teen Quest Camps includes morning devotional time, large and small group games and activities, free time to enjoy the recreational activities at the Ranch, exciting evening programs featuring dynamic speakers, & a special evening activity.  Meals are served 8:30am, 12pm and 5:30pm.

We have a special meeting each evening after an all-camp activity.  Staff and campers are involved together in each evening’s planned event right up to bedtime.
Some examples:  Gaga ball tournaments, Xtreme Barn activities, campfires, talent shows, and game shows with camper participation.

Yes, they do.  Everyone in camp is required to be in cabins at curfew and stay in the cabin until 6 am.

Due to the short stay of our camps, we encourage you to pack enough clothing so your child does not have to do laundry as it takes away from the fun.  However, if they run out of dry, comfortable clothes, we have laundry facilities onsite. (Nominal fees apply.)

Campers certainly can call home although we do not encourage it.  Many times it will increase the likelihood of homesickness.   We WILL print and distribute emails to your camper on a daily basis.

Campers may have their cell, but we will ask them to turn it off during meetings and activities. If cell phone use is interfering with their camping experience, and after a warning, the counselor will hold it for them for assigned times of use.  We encourage campers to leave their cellphone at home for a true camping experience.

Sever Homesickness – If your child becomes homesick, we will do our best to try and keep them at camp. Most cases of homesickness pass within a day or two. However, if they become unduly homesick, we will contact you. We encourage you to remain enthusiastic about your child being at camp, even if we have to call you. Most children can remain at camp and have a great time with proper support from their parents.
Health Reasons – If your child becomes injured or has an extended time of illness you will be contacted as soon as possible.
Inappropriate Behavior – If your child becomes disruptive beyond the normal limits we will call you and ask to have them taken home. Please inform your child that even though they are going on vacation this does not mean they are taking a vacation from appropriate behavior.
IMPORTANT – If your child is sent home early for inappropriate behavior, they will not be allowed to attend camp again. In addition, if they are signed up for another week/weekend, you will lose the non-refundable deposit for that week/weekend as well. Please inform them of this before they come.

Be sure to bring your child’s completed release/health form to camp check-in.
Please send all medication in the pharmacy labeled bottles. DO NOT USE DAILY PILL BOXES. Be sure there is only enough medication for the week your child is at camp. Scheduled medication administration times are typically after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and before bed, unless a different specific time is required.
All medications must be turned i with the exception of fast-acting inhalers, Epi-pens, and some prescription topical acne ointments (Please still indicate on list of use).
You must have a written physician order attached for injectable medications. This includes insulin (with sliding scale dosing if used) and growth hormone replacements.  We do not administer injections. If your child is capable of giving his/her own injections for diabetes, we allow for it.

The nearest hospital is 4  miles away. We also have ambulance and Life Flight service available in the area.

Our full-time staff is certified in first-aid/CPR. Medications are dispensed to campers as prescribed by your family doctor.   We treat your camper immediately for any sickness or injury.  We also contact parents immediately in the event of an accident or injury.

If a camper becomes ill or injured, every attempt will be made to contact a parent, guardian or emergency contact. If the decision is made to send a camper to a doctor, he or she will be taken to Med Express via Teen Quest transportation. A counselor or health center staff member will accompany the camper. Parents or guardians will need to arrange if payment is required at the doctor’s office or pharmacy.

You will want to make arrangements for a fulltime medical person to remove stitches.

Yes, we will continue to administer the antibiotics until they are finished.

Although he/she would miss out on some of the physical activities, we have exciting times in our meetings, lots of cheering opportunities and great Bible teaching which will benefit him/her.  IF your camper has special physical need, please call us to discuss the specific medical need ahead of arrival.   814.444.9500

We are a Christian camp, and therefore teach Christian values from the Bible in our camping programs and activities. We also hire mature Christian staff who we expect will model a godly lifestyle that we hope campers will want to emulate. In each camp, we will give campers the opportunity to make a decision to follow Jesus Christ and His example. However, we recognize that it is a personal choice to become a Christian and fully respect each individual’s decision. We do not force nor use scare tactics to try and make someone do something they don’t want to do.

Since Teen Quest is a non denominational inter denominational Christian youth mission, we do not promote a particular denomination or church. This means it is our practice to present the simple message of the Gospel as found in the Bible and teach Christian values without promoting nor condemning any denomination or church.

We’ve been dishing up delicious and nourishing meals buffet style since we began our camping program in 1979. We also try to take into account the fact that some campers will not like every meal, so we offer options at each meal. 

TYPICAL BREAKFAST:
Sample Menu #1:
* Scrambled Eggs & bacon
* Hash Browns
* Cereal Bar
* Fresh fruit
Sample Menu #2
* Hot Cakes
* Sausage
* Cereal Bar
* Fresh fruit

TYPICAL LUNCH:
Sample Menu #1
* Grilled Cheese
* Salad Bar
* Soup Bar
* Cookies
* PB & J (available upon request)
Sample Menu #2
* Sloppy Joes
* Soup Bar
* Salad Bar
* Chocolate pudding
* PB & J (available upon request)

TYPICAL DINNER:
Sample Menu #1
* Oven Baked Turkey
* Mashed Potatoes
* Vegetable
* Salad Bar
* Rolls
* Vanilla pudding
Sample Menu #2
* Honey baked Ham
* Potatoes au Grati
* Vegetable
* Salad Bar
* Apple Crisp

We receive rave reviews about the food we serve. Three hearty homemade meals are served per day including all the food groups and are geared to what students like. There is a lot of variety at each meal service with a full salad bar included each lunch and dinner.

You can note any and all food allergies on the health form.  For serious allergies and special needs, you will need to ask for our Allergy Awareness Form to better inform us of your camper’s situation.  This needs to be submitted two weeks before your camper’s event. Campers with food allergies should speak with the chef upon arrival at camp so they can be aware of and avoid potential allergens. We recommend that campers with severe allergies bring their own food because we cannot guarantee that there will be no cross-contamination.  We do provide refrigeration and freezer space if needed.We will be glad to email you a copy of our menu. We try our best to accommodate your child’s dietary needs. 

A parent who has made prior arrangements in writing can pick up their child. We will not allow anyone else to take your child off the grounds who does not meet this criteria. Please report to the office and fill out the proper forms.

Although we discourage picking up your child early, you certainly have that right. A parent who has made prior arrangements in writing can pick up their child early. We will not allow anyone else to take your child off the grounds who does not meet this criteria.  Please report to the office and fill out the proper forms.

Yes, we do.

Prices listed next to each camp include: food, lodging, and all activities unless otherwise listed. The only things that are not included are some crafts and spending money for the Tin Spur, (our snack shop). There are nominal fees for driving range, extra paintballs, ATVs.

You may use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card. We accept payments online, by phone or mail.

If you cancel at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the camping week, all but the non – refundable registration fee will be refunded.  After 14 days prior to the beginning of your camping week, you will receive credit for a future camping week within a 13 month period. If Teen Quest makes the decision to cancel a camp or event, the customer will receive a full refund.  If the customer elects to cancel their registration and not move it to a future camp or event, our normal cancellation policy as previously stated is in force. Disruptive Behavior: Students sent home because of disruptive behavior are not eligible for a refund, nor will they be allowed to attend additional camp. In case of illness: Your rate will be credited to a future cam p if your child is sent home because of illness during a camping session after its begun. Should it be necessary to cancel your registration, you must contact Teen Quest in writing (letter, text, or email).

We welcome tax-deductible donatiions. Due to the fact we keep our camp prices low and many qualifying students come by scholarship, we are dependent on donations to exist.  We welcome your tax-deductible donation throughout the year.  Donations can be made by hitting the DONATE button right here on our website. Or if you prefer, you can send a check by mail or call and donate over the phone.

If you are out of high school, you may be qualified to come and serve as a counselor. You can download a staff application found on our Home page at TeenQuest.org

Tin Spur (Camp Store) – Money can be deposited into the Tin Spur for your camper to purchase items and for offerings. On registration day you will put money on your child’s store account, as well as add extra money, if you choose to do so, to the Camp Booster fund for disadvantaged campers.

This way your child will not carry money to and from the store. Our Tin Spur crew will deduct each day’s purchase from his/her account and let them know their balance. On pick-up day you can choose to spend the remainder of their balance, if there is one, or donate the balance to the Camp Booster fund. No refund checks will be issued. (Camp Booster campership information: This fund helps families in need of funding to send their child to summer camp.)
We do take all credit cards in the Tin Spur but we do not accept credit cards for camp bank deposits.

Yes, most certainly. We are one of the few camps that allows this. Our goal is to strengthen the local church. If a youth leader is present at camp with his students, they continue the conversation about what is happening and grow as a group. During weekend camps, leaders will be the cabin leader for your students. During weeklong camps, we provide counselors who stay with you and your students.

As much as you want to be. If you want to arm yourself with a paintball gun, ride a horse, shoot a laser gun, or just relax with a gourmet cup of coffee – it is all yours!

We schedule X-Days in afternoons, but we are flexible to make your time enjoyable. Please ask ahead and we will try to accommodate your group for a morning session.

Have a question you don’t see listed here? 
Send us an email to quest@teenquest.org and we’ll do our best to answer your question.