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Pasco schools’ summer program told to change its name

A Virginia-based organization already claimed the Camp Quest moniker.
 
GAIL DIEDERICH | Special to the Times Carefully dividing and weighing dough for pizza crust were, from left, Xavier Scholl, 9, Lilly Troy, 8, and Ben Dabramo, 9. The three Culinary Cadets were taking part in a Pasco Schools’ Camp Quest experience in cooking.
GAIL DIEDERICH | Special to the Times Carefully dividing and weighing dough for pizza crust were, from left, Xavier Scholl, 9, Lilly Troy, 8, and Ben Dabramo, 9. The three Culinary Cadets were taking part in a Pasco Schools’ Camp Quest experience in cooking.
Published July 16, 2019

When the Pasco County school district began planning its new summer camp a year ago, officials focused on the types of programs they would offer.

They then advertised Camp Quest as a fun way to immerse students in career exploration and volunteer opportunities while classes are out.

As students filled the culinary arts, aerospace and other offerings, the district received a cease and desist order from the secular, co-ed Camp Quest based in Virginia. The group told district officials that it owned the name, and it didn’t want the school system to use it.

School district officials asked for time to consider their options.

Dennis Alfonso, the School Board’s attorney, said no one knew about the other Camp Quest, and the district was “not committed to the name.”

At the same time, he added, making changes at this late date seemed pointless. By the time all the details could be hashed out, he suggested, the program would have ended.

So he proposed that the district continue Camp Quest for this summer, and then change it for future years.

“They were okay with that,” Alfonso said.

The sides continue to remain in touch, to ensure the agreement sticks. But Alfonso made clear the district is “not really going to fight about it.”

School Board members said they had little information about the dispute.