Though participation in Quest is free of charge, it is not free of commitment. In exchange for the resources and support they receive at Quest, each student agrees to launch a community service venture in his or her home community. These projects are self-designed, and can address nearly any issue of the student’s choosing. Past projects include environmental clubs, tutoring organizations, groups sending aid packages to AIDS orphans in Africa, and ESL classes for the parents of high school students.

These outreach projects not only give students an opportunity to address an issue of concern in their local communities, but also increase the impact of Quest, and allow students to expand their leadership experience. The goal is that students reflect some of the skills and knowledge they gain from a summer at Quest back into their communities.

The Quest staff members, many of whom are past Quest Scholars, work extensively with Scholars during the summer session to draft business plans for their projects, and students then present their plans to a panel at the end of the summer session. Students requiring start-up funding for their projects may apply for up to $1,000 in grants from Quest and a national organization called Youth Venture.

Some students choose to have their projects remain small, others grow their ventures both during and after high school. Many have received publicity for their community-service efforts, including a student who was featured as one of Teen People’s “10 Teenagers Most Likely to Change the World.”

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