About Character Quest

Character Quest is an experiential learning program that focuses on developing leadership in students. Each summer, a group of students, led by Dean Matthews, '84, travel to a wilderness setting in northwestern Illinois for a four-day program that builds leadership, character and teamwork.

Carthage knows that employers and communities look for leadership qualities in our graduates. Character Quest will help you develop those qualities. The participant selection process is rigorous. We seek active campus leaders, or those with the potential to be leaders, whose involvement will benefit both participants and the larger campus community.

Throughout the academic year, Character Quest graduates meet regularly to share ideas of how to incorporate Character Quest lessons into everyday experiences at Carthage.

The program is modeled after the U.S. Army Rangers training program. Participants, living in the wilderness, engage in experiential learning, eat "MRE" field rations and conduct ranger-style missions.