Quest Therapeutic Camps

Quest Therapeutic Camps combines group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, play, specially developed “hands-on” therapy activities, singing silly camp songs, and a Camper of the Day ceremony. Campers earn praise and “points” that they can use at a weekly store, and every camper earns Camper of the Day before they leave. Campers are assigned to groups based on their age, gender, and functional level, and three counselors direct each group.

• Ages: 6–16 years old
• Schedule: Intensive 6-week, 30 hours/week summer program, plus a 30-week, 2 hours/week afterschool program offered in three 10-week sessions
• Price: Quest's evidence-based program may qualify for reimbursement and ABA funding

The intensive summer program runs 6/15/26–7/24/26. Afterschool programs operate 4–6 pm on Mondays and Thursdays, with three 10-week afterschool sessions making up a 30-week program.

Quest’s afterschool programs operate throughout the school year for children and teens with mild to moderate emotional and social problems, using a holistic approach to mental health with a focus on coping mechanisms and therapeutic activities. Individualized treatment plans are based on individualized goals established by the camper, parents, and staff. The program combines recreational and therapeutic activities, using play as the focus of intervention, in a camp setting that emphasizes fun and silliness.

Quest’s therapeutic approach is described as unique, and the afterschool program has been found to be an effective intervention alone. Three research studies demonstrated the summer program’s “strong treatment effect,” showing significant progress in emotional and social functioning. Quest’s evidence-based program may qualify for reimbursement and ABA funding, and Quest is vendorized by the Regional Center of the East Bay and is an approved ESY program.

Summer staff includes five therapists with at least a Master’s degree in counseling, and many counselor staff are working on graduate training in counseling or have significant experience with children. Three counselors direct each camper group and are responsible for safety, fun, and progress for each camper. Few programs have the high quality of mental health professionals and counselor staff described at Quest.

Robert Field, PhD, is the founder of Quest Therapeutic Camps and is a California Licensed Psychologist (PSY 5705). He opened his private practice specializing in work with children and adolescents in 1978. From the first year with 20 campers per week, Quest has grown to over 100 campers per week with five therapists and 21 counselors.

Partial scholarships are available thanks to the Autistic Spectrum Disorder Foundation. Quest is an approved ESY program and works closely with school districts to provide a unique individualized program for each camper. One parent stated, “Quest keeps my kid engaged, and all the other programs we've tried have failed to do that.”

Last updated March 18, 2026.