Five days camping, completely unplugged, on a rare journey of self discovery.

The Adventure plunges us into new friendships, intimate encounters with the world, and a deeper understanding of ourselves by fostering an awareness of treating all things with respect and kindness. Campers report over and over that The Adventure is their favorite week of the summer!

Activities at camp include swimming, stargazing, hiking, campfires, waterfights, mindful practices, and many surprises. Campers spend time every day with a counselor in Small Group, with other teens their own age, creating the opportunity for each child to make deep connections with a small peer group and a counselor, as well as with the whole group.

Developing the stability of character and confidence to succeed in all situations is a lifelong process that blooms in adolescence. The Adventure teaches self-discipline, courtesy and stewardship. Mindfulness activities and meditation upon waking take place each day. Children need not come from Buddhist households.

Camp activities, responsibilities, and friendships will facilitate making this attitude our good habit. Campers help prepare and serve their own food, clean up after their activities, and leave every location they visit better than they found it. These values are Zen Buddhist, and they are universal.

2024 Note to Families

The Adventure is on hiatus as we rebound and expand our Youth and Teen Dharma from the COVID disruption of 2020-2022. Friendship Mountain returned small but mighty in 2023 and in 2024 grew back to a full camp of 12 with 4 Junior Counselors. The Adventure will arise again when there is a critical mass of campers who grow up on Friendship Mountain and are ready to form the heart of the Adventure experience.