Neshama Quest for Young Adults

• Day 1: Drive to the trailhead and get ready for our adventure.
• Day 2: Hike into the wilderness, learn new skills, swim, explore, and begin connecting with your intentions. 
• Day 3: Travel further and higher to our next campsite, swim some more, and prepare for your solo.
• Day 4: Experience an extended wilderness solo—an opportunity to get to know yourself, find inner fortitude, and experience deep serenity.
• Day 5: Shabbat! Music, more swimming, and exploring the inner and outer wilderness– rest, rejuvenation and wonder.
• Day 6: Pack up camp and start heading back, but not before we make it to another gorgeous wilderness campsite.
• Day 7: Pack up camp, hike out, and head home to share stories with friends and family.

We will be journeying through the mountain wilderness of the Sierra Nevada in California, not far from Yosemite. Precise meet up location will be shared upon registration.

For those flying in that will need a ride to the site, we will meet at Oakland airport at 11am on July 20. If you will need a ride, there will be a question in your application to indicate this.

This program is open to young adults of all identities. You do not have to be Jewish to attend. Adamah SF creates a pluralistic community for participants across the spectrum of religious observance.

Jews, people with other faiths and backgrounds, interfaith couples and families, those who identify as LGBTQIA+, People of Color, and anyone who wants to participate are welcome to join in building village together.

We do not tolerate any forms of bigotry or discrimination. We invite you to come with an open mind, a willing heart, and the permission to openly share your needs. We are committed to continuously working to dismantle our own biases and encourage your feedback on how we can be more inclusive.

Adamah SF focuses on the earth-based aspects of Jewish tradition and supports participants in cultivating meaningful, personal relationships with Judaism. We support observance such as Shabbat and kashrut and provide many options for participation.

Solo journeys into the desert are at the core of Judaism. Our ancestors received inspiration alone in the desert, connecting directly to the Source.

A wilderness solo can mark life passages, support healing, deepen connection to spirit and nature, and clarify one’s purpose and life’s big questions.

Participants are invited to choose a solo experience that feels right for them, ranging from approximately 2 to 12 hours.

For more information email eli.witkin@adamah.org

You will be hiking 3–7 miles on most days. You must feel comfortable carrying your own backpack and exerting yourself physically at altitude.

You will be out in the wilderness, so come prepared with everything you need.

Daytime weather can be hot and dry; evening weather can be cold and moist; rain is possible. Bring warm layers and sun protection.

Refer to last year’s Packing List for guidance.

We are a drug and alcohol-free environment, including marijuana and psychedelic substances.

Our primary goal is to build connections among ourselves, community, earth, and Spirit. A modest amount of wine may be provided for ritual purposes.

There will be no public restrooms or outhouses while backpacking.

Instructions for preparing your wilderness bathroom kit will be provided in your welcome email after registration.

8 weeks or more before the event: Full refund minus a $100 non-refundable deposit.

4–8 weeks before the event: 50% refund minus $100 if no one is on the waiting list. If your spot is filled, you will receive an 80% refund minus $100.

4 weeks or less: No refunds available.

Under exceptional circumstances, we may offer credit toward a future program.

Bring 2–3 liters of drinking water for the start of the trailhead.

For the remainder of the trip, we will filter or boil water for drinking and cooking. You must bring your own drinking vessel.

We provide all meals and drinks for the duration of the trip.

You are welcome to bring extra snacks such as nuts, trail mix, dried fruit, jerky, energy bars, crackers, or hard cheese.

Participants and staff share cooking responsibilities. Individuals clean their own dishes.

We prioritize food that is kosher, local, organic, seasonal, humane, and socially just.

At times we may prioritize local or organic over kosher certification, but kosher options will always be available upon request.

We aim to support a wide spectrum of Jewish observance—please reach out with any needs.

We closely monitor wildfire conditions and smoke levels.

If needed, we will change locations. In rare cases where no safe area is available, the program will be rescheduled.