Have a trip idea for us to consider?

We are always on the lookout for new Quest destinations and new themes, and we would love to hear from you if you have an idea to share.

A few guidelines on the kinds of characteristics we look for in a Quest destination:

Cultural Diversity: We seek places that offer an opportunity for students to interact with people who have different experiences and assumptions about life, religion, politics, race relations, etc. Few Quests are “cultural immersion” experiences, but it’s important for students to be nudged a bit out of their comfort zones.

Poignant Problems: While most places on Earth have a share of political and cultural strife or looming environmental threats, we seek Quest destinations that particularly highlight some of the most pressing problems of our time. Sometimes this means going to risky places, and sometimes to places that make you sad or angry. We try to find places that make you think, and encourage you to care.

Off the Beaten Tourist Path: We don’t key in on major tourist destinations, or try to hit all the highlights a place has to offer. We try to emphasize quality over quantity of experiences, seeking out special places and people with rare knowledge, experience, and talents to share. We don’t want anyone’s Quest to feel like just the same trip that thousands of other people have taken.

Fun: Simple and obvious, but hugely important. We look for places that students will find beautiful, energizing, and inspiring. If the locale is a tourist hub, we try to find a way into unexplored corners so we can see the place from an angle that few others have. Quests are always playful, so we seek places that offer adventure and opportunities to kick back when the time is right.

And, a few guidelines for suggesting a new Quest theme:

Who Cares?: Good Quest themes touch the heart of today’s pressing social, spiritual  and environmental issues. For a Quest to capture attention on campus, students need to know enough about an issue to know that they’d like to learn more.

A Spiritual Side: While a theme does not have to be “religious” in any sense, it’s best if the theme inspires participants to involve and engage their whole self- moral, spiritual, emotional, intellectual- in dialogue.

A Bridge: Successful themes encourage cross-fertilization between different spiritual, intellectual, and cultural traditions. It’s best for a theme to open up questions, not to draw boundaries.