Since 1995, Renaissance Adventures have run exciting and fulfilling programs for kids age 6 – 17. In our quests and programs, we believe in a holistic, non-authoritarian approach to the development and education of the participants. See also Our Teaching Philosophy.
Experiential Education Outcomes of Quest Programs
Challenges and lessons are set within the context of a highly-motivating adventure—a quest with the kind of epic scope that rival and surpass movies and video games. However, unlike video games and other passive media, our active, outdoor quests develop the students’ physical, mental, social, emotional, and ethical development in a healthy and fun environment. Furthermore, our skilled instructors offer individualized attention, and improvise scenarios to compliment the skills, needs, and interests of the group.
Besides being incredibly fun, Adventure Quest (and related programs like
Star Quest,
Quest & Quill, &
Heroes Academy) programs will help participants in a variety of areas:
Critical thinking
Students develop and practice critical thinking and problem solving skills throughout their mythic adventure. For instance, when the plot or characters of the story take an unexpected turn, participants must puzzle through a solution that is not readily obvious.
Teamwork
Challenges within the story are often daunting, and the group is only successful when they can work together as a team, utilizing the strengths of each individual.
Social development
Motivations of characters within each story are complex, and when the participants interact with these personalities in a genuine way, they come to understand how to communicate in a positive way.
Conflict resolution
Students are often presented with scenarios of conflict that can only be resolved when an agreement can be made, whether it be between two great nations or a household of bickering siblings. In fact, because the participants hold their swashers in hand, they always have the option of handling conflict with more conflict; when this strategy fails, it gives them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and address conflict in a more inspiring way.
Imagination and creativity
Through an interactive story, with scenes and monsters and realms described by a brilliant storyteller, the stage is set for creative expression and imaginative exploration—some of their greatest strengths.
Responsible empowerment
Roleplaying games offer the participant the ability to choose their actions in a safe environment; when a goal is reached and a challenge overcome by the participants’ actions, it allows the children to realize that they can overcome other situations in their own lives.
Skills education and training
Within the quest, the leaders have an opportunity to teach any number of skills that would help the kids succeed in their adventures. Knowledge of mathematics helps one group pass through a magically trapped corridor filled with a number pattern; cryptograms scribbled on a pirate’s map test the kids in their language abilities; making a real-life debris shelter teaches kids what they can do in the wilderness… the list goes on.
Quest & Quill
Creative writing camps have never been so fun!
In the tradition of the ancient Norse Skalds, Quest & Quill encourages creative writing and the oratory arts within an Adventure Quest program. Participants can write about the stories unfolding in their quests, or about their heroic character, or any topic that inspires them.
We focus on the enjoyment of writing, self-expression, and the oratory arts and less on grammar, spelling, and writing style. Each session includes creative writing, Questers reading aloud a short excerpt of their writing, and then—for the bulk of the session—embarking on an outdoor quest. Questers earn powers and treasure for their writing that they can use in any Adventure Quest program.
Stories crafted in Quest & Quill may be submitted for publication in the next Adventure Quest: Stories publication. Adventure Quest: Stories is a collection of lightly-edited short stories submitted by Renaissance Adventures participants and leaders. For previous editions of this series, see our store page.
Program Details
Ages 9 to 17 years old
Small groups of six support close relationships and a meaningful experience
A new quest every time, customized by the students’ interests
Challenges develop physical, social, and mental skills. See our experiential education outcomes
Students are grouped by age, experience, and interest for best fit, when possible
Star Quest
Sci-Fi Adventures for Ages 10+
Intrepid Adventures in Space!
Star Quest is a science fiction live-action roleplaying game similar in many ways to Adventure Quest… the Questers band together in small groups of like age to discover strange new worlds, overcome dynamic challenges, negotiate intergalactic treaties, and battle using blasters (beanbags) and fusion blades (foam swords). The themes and settings explore futuristic mainstays like warp speed, mech suits, tapping into the “Meta” for telepathic powers, time travel, cyberpunk netrunning, alien “hive mind” sentience, and more. Join us for an exciting, active, and mind-bending programs that are a short ways off, in a galaxy really, really close.
Program Details
Ages 10 to 17 years old
Perfect for kids who like Star Wars or other science fiction
Small groups of six support close relationships and a meaningful experience
A new quest every time, customized by the students’ interests
Challenges develop physical, social, and mental skills.
Students are grouped by age, experience, and interest for best fit, when possible
Heroes Academy
Transformative weekends at the edge of a vexing wilderness!

Program Details
Ages 14 to 17 years old
Costumes are required at all times during the Heroes’ Alliance weekend event.
Unique immersive experiences unlike any other
Participants get to try out strategies – either ‘honorable’ or ‘dishonorable’ and experience the consequences in a safe setting
Teens get to interact with adults playing in the same game system
Participants will get a packing list that includes the need for some camping gear.
Adventure Quest
Be the Hero of a Mythic Quest!
Since 1995, Renaissance Adventures has led summer Quests where the kids playact as the heroes of a dynamic and exciting adventure. Participants choose mythic archetypes and powers, band together as a team, solve riddles and dilemmas, and swashbuckle with foes. In small groups of about six children, everyone gets a chance to shine and be the hero of a mythic quest!
In Adventure Quest™, the children and teens become the heroes of an incredibly fun and dynamic quest, working together in a mythical and magical world to overcome interesting challenges, solve mystifying riddles, brainstorm unique solutions to puzzling dilemmas, and swashbuckle with foes. The campers experience the excitement and confidence that comes from banding together to defend their village, solve a perplexing mystery, or negotiate a peace treaty.
Wielding safe foam Swasher swords, the children play dueling games and act out challenges like fending off a bullying ogre or a thieving band of pirates, in an environment that teaches good sportsmanship, fair-play, and respect for others. Then they exercise their minds as they try to piece together the clues in a coded riddle and follow a map to buried treasure. Questers end the program feeling empowered, excited, and full of stories to tell.
Program Details
Ages 6 to 17 years old
Small groups of six support close relationships and a meaningful experience
A new quest every time, customized by the students’ interests
Challenges develop physical, social, and mental skills.
Students are grouped by age, experience, and interest for best fit, when possible