Camp FAQ's

Who We Are

Food and Gear

Schedules

Accommodations and Safety

Jewish Experience

Communications and Electronics

Billing and Financial Aid


Who We Are

Ramah is the camping arm of the Conservative Judaism movement. With seven overnight camps, three day camps, and Ramah programs in Israel and Argentina, Ramah impacts more than 9,000 chalutzim and madrichim every summer.  A summer at Ramah is spent immersed in Jewish living highlighted by dynamic and innovative programming. Traditional camp and outdoor activities, including swimming, sports, dance and art, are enhanced by Ramah’s dedication to excellence in informal Jewish education. Combining a love for camping with meaningful Jewish experiences, Ramah instills in its chalutzim and madrichim a love of Judaism, the Jewish people, Israel, and the outdoors. The Ramah movement is guided by seven core values:

  1. Self-esteem of every individual
  2. Character development
  3. Jewish learning
  4. Jewish identity and community
  5. Jewish observance
  6. Zionism
  7. Hebrew

Click here for more about the history of the Ramah Camping Movement.

Camp Ramah offers sleep-away camps that typically offer four or eight weeks options, day camps, an Israel summer tour program for American teenagers, a day camp in Jerusalem for American and Israeli children, and a variety of high school programs in Israel.

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What is the history of the Ramah camps?

During the 1940s, The Jewish Theological Seminary established several programs to reconnect Jewish youth with the synagogue and cultivate American-born Jewish leadership. One of these programs was Camp Ramah, a program conceived by Moshe Davis and Sylvia Ettenberg of the JTS Teachers’ Institute.

The first Ramah camp opened in Wisconsin in 1947. Over the next 25 years, a network of resident camps was established.  Today, in addition to the Conover, Wisconsin site, there are Ramah camps in Lake Como, Pennsylvania (Camp Ramah in the Poconos, founded in 1950); Palmer, Massachusetts (Camp Ramah in New England opened at East Hampton, Connecticut in 1953 and moved to the Palmer site in 1965); Ojai, California (Camp Ramah in California, founded in 1956); Utterson, Ontario (Camp Ramah in Canada, founded in 1960); and Wingdale, New York (Camp Ramah in Berkshires, opened in Nyack, New York, in 1961 and moved to the Wingdale site in 1965). In 1997, Ramah opened its latest overnight camp in Clayton, Georgia (Ramah Darom). In addition to these overnight camps, Ramah operates day camps in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Nyack, New York.

Today, Ramah camps are attended by more than 8,000 youngsters, ranging in age from 7-16, with a staff of 1,500 counselors, co-counselors, specialists, and teachers. In addition to typical summer camp activities, Ramah camps offer a unique educational program focusing on Judaism, Zionism and Hebrew-language instruction on different levels. Every camp has a corps of “shlichim” or emissaries from Israel, and staff (known as the “mishlachat”).

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Where do Ramah Outdoors campers come from?

Ramah is a regionally based system and typically each Ramah camp draws exclusively from its own region.  However, as Ramah’s first specialty camp with wider appeal, we have broadened our boundaries and draw campers from throughout North America who are passionate about the outdoors and want to practice outdoor adventure in a Jewish environment.

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Where is the camp located?

Nestled in the Pike National Forest, Ramah Outdoor Adventure is located on the ranch owned by Ramah in the Rockies.  Ramah in the Rockies is a 360 acre property located about 90 minutes from Denver at 8,000 feet. The ranch is surrounded by towering peaks with three streams running through the middle of camp.  On our site, we have numerous natural climbing walls, horse stables, fields for sports, and hundreds of acres to safely explore.

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Why do we refer to campers as chalutzim?

At Ramah Outdoor Adventure we refer to our campers as chalutzim, which means pioneers in Hebrew. Ramah Outdoor Adventure prides itself on being a rustic camp in the heart of the Rocky mountains. We want everyone who joins our community to feel that they are helping to create a Jewish community in an area that has never had one before. At our remote location you will feel as though you are a pioneer. In addition to exploring an original homestead house on the ranch that dates from the late 1800s we will have chances throughout the summer to explore trails and fields that are rarely touched by humans — just like the early Western pioneers. Of course, in referring to ourselves as chalutzim, we are also invoking the chalutzim who helped develop the land of Palestine and turned it into the State of Israel that we have today.

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Food and Gear

What will I eat?

At base camp, all meals are prepared in our kosher kitchen by our professional culinary staff.  Most meals are vegetarian, although about once a week meat is cooked on our outdoor grills.  We believe that the food we serve and eat should reflect our environmental values. Whenever possible, we try to serve organic and locally-grown foods.

On overnight excursions, meals are prepared by the group and cooked on camping stoves or over open fires.  The food cooked on excursions is always enjoyed by everyone!  All excursion meals are kosher vegetarian.

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Can I bring my own food to camp?

Do not bring food to camp. The only food that may be eaten at camp is the food provided by the dining hall.  Ramah Outdoors is not only a kosher facility, but we are also in the middle of a vast wilderness area.  We are only guests on this land which is inhabited year round by an array of wildlife that would love to sample our good food. No food will ever be stored or eaten in our daily living areas, sleeping tents and bathhouses.  Any food brought into camp by participants will be donated to a local food pantry.

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What gear do I need to bring?

Participants are expected to supply their own personal clothing and personal gear, including waterproof jacket and pants, a compact sleeping bag and hiking boots. All communal equipment, such as tents, stoves, pots and pans are provided by the camp.  While we encourage participants to bring their own internal frame packs, we provide extras for those who do not want to make the investment in such equipment.  A full supply list will be sent to families in February 2010.

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What clothing do I need to pack?

The weather in the Rocky Mountains can change hourly.  Often temperatures will reach 85 degrees during the day and 45 degrees at night.  Therefore, it is important to bring clothing for both the warm days as well as the cool nights.  We will provide a more detailed list of equipment in February 2010.

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Schedules

What does a typical day look like at Ramah Outdoor Adventure?

This is a typical schedule for base camp:
6:00 Wakeup
6:30-7:15 Teffilot (caring for our souls)
7:15- 8:15 Exercise (caring for our bodies)
8:15-9:30 Breakfast & clean up
9:45- 11:00 Activity A (Activities may include: horseback riding, wilderness survival, mountain biking, ropes course/ Rock climbing, camping skills, wilderness arts & crafts, orienteering, mining, duathelon training, sports service projects & more)
11:15- 12:30 Activity B (Activities may include: horseback riding, wilderness survival, mountain biking, ropes course/ Rock climbing, camping skills, wilderness arts & crafts, orienteering, mining, duathelon training, sports service projects & more)
12:45-1:30 Lunch & Shira
1:30- 2:30 Rest hour
2:30-3:15 Edah learning/ projects
3:30-4:45 Activity C (Activities may include: horseback riding, wilderness survival, mountain biking, ropes course/ Rock climbing, camping skills, wilderness arts & crafts, orienteering, mining, duathelon training, sports service projects & more)
5:00-5:45 Camp wide sports & activities  including, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, football, jogging, biking yoga & meditation
6:00- 7:00 Dinner
7:15-8:15 Peulat Erev
8:15-8:45 Quiet free time
9:00 Bunk time

There is no such thing as a “typical schedule while on excursions.  Each morning begins shortly after the rising of the sun, and each day includes time for prayer, study and eating.  But each excursion is unique, so on some one might be hiking for eight hours a day and on others one might spend 4 hours learning to set up a top rope course and then a few hours practicing rappelling or climbing.  The goal of excursions is to master a specific set of skills that one can take home and apply in one’s own life and on one’s own adventures.

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I am in high school, and I love to sleep in during the summer.  How am I supposed to wake up at 6:00am?

One of the magical aspects of a summer at Ramah Outdoor Adventure is that we have a chance to live in harmony with the natural cycle of the day.  We rise earlier than we would ordinarily wake up in the “real world”, and go to sleep much earlier than we would at home.  After a few days of adjusting our bodies to the cycle of the sun, waking early and going to sleep when it is dark becomes second nature.

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What does a typical session look like at Ramah Outdoors?

Ramah Outdoor Adventure blends the best of outdoor adventure camps and larger traditional camps.  Our older chalutzim spend a significant amount of time out on the trail honing their adventure skills in small groups as well as time at base camp learning a variety of skills and becoming a part of a much larger community.  Our younger chalutzim spend most of their time at base camp engaged in outdoor activities, though also leave the ranch on several occasions for excursions in the surrounding wilderness areas.   Almost all  Shabbatot are spent at base camp as part of the larger community.  Each session begins with a few days at base camp, followed by a spirited Shabbat.  Early in the week (usually Sunday or Monday), older chalutzim leave on an extended excursion in the area of their choosing (horseback riding, hiking, rafting or climbing).  Chalutzim return to base camp on Thursday or Friday and spend the next week engaged in programs at base camp.  Following the next Shabbat, Chalutzim set out on their second excursion followed by a final Shabbat and week of programming at base camp.  (Two week participants go on one excursion during their time at Ramah Outdoor Adventure).

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Accommodations and Safety

What are the sleeping arrangements?

At base camp, campers sleep in large sturdy platform tents according to their gender and edah (age unit).  Each tent holds 10 to 12 participants plus two instructors. Tents are equipped with bunk beds and cubbies for storage.

Excursions give chalutzim the chance to sleep outdoors along a mountain stream, in an alpine valley, or along the banks of a river. Our camp provides lightweight tents for all participants that hold up to  five individuals.

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How safe will my child be at base camp and on excursions?

Our number one concern at Ramah Outdoor Adventure is for the safety of everyone at camp.  All instructors have undergone intense staff training that includes intimate knowledge of emergency procedures, communication, and how to avoid dangerous situations.  Most of our staff are Wilderness First Aid certified, at a minimum.  Our directors conduct regular safety and security reviews and evaluation, and work closely with local officials to make sure our safety standards and practices are the best they can be. The health and welfare of our community will always be our top concern.

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Jewish Experience

What is the Jewish education program at Ramah Outdoors

Our madrichim at Ramah Outdoor Adventure are Jewish educators as well as outdoor adventure experts.  They are trained to blend Jewish values and teaching into all aspects of our program. From reciting a bracha during a thunderstorm, to framing a service project by learning a Jewish text about us being stewards of the earth, Jewish learning is woven into the fabric of our day.

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What about prayers?

Teffilah at Ramah is one of the daily highlights.  We begin each morning with a Shacharit service.  Sometimes we daven by edah, sometimes with the whole camp, and sometimes as individuals.  We believe that teffilah is a time to connect with our inner spirit as well as the Divine.  We make every attempt to offer campers a variety of ways to express themselves in prayer: meditative tefillot, chanting tefillot, yoga teffilot, or traditional congregational tefillot.  While not every option is available each day, we ask participants to find at least one form of prayer that moves them spiritually.  In the afternoons and evenings, we take time to daven a shorter Mincha and Maariv service.

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Are there religious requirements for participants?

At Ramah, we require all participants to be Jewish.  Particpants are expected to participate in all religious aspects of the camp.  Camp is a place to broaden one’s horizons.  It is a time for religious experimentation and challenge.  We encourage participants to seek out ways to deepen their religious practices throughout the summer and to find ways that they will be able to continue their religious practice in a more meaningful way when they return to their home communities.

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Why is Shabbat so special?

Ask almost any Ramah Camper what their favorite part of the summer is, and most will answer unequivocally “Shabbat!”  — a truly magical time at camp. There is no better feeling than a Friday evening when we gather together to reflect on our week and pray together as one community.

The magic begins on Friday afternoon in the controlled chaos of last-minute preparations, as everybody rushes to clean the tents, shower, and change into their nicest (or cleanest) clothes.  As the sun begins to set, the edot, or camper divisions, collect for a few moments of quiet reflection before gathering as an entire camp for Israeli dancing and the evening services.

Friday night dinner is usually the most relaxed meal of the week.  Food is eaten slower, conversations linger longer, and singing includes spirited dancing and clapping.  After dinner, participants have time to hang out with each other and catch up on their week.  The evening ends with an edah-wide oneg or reception, where there is more singing and food.

Shabbat day (Saturday) is a very relaxed day.  Campers sleep late and eat a light breakfast, followed by spirited Shabbat services. Following services is free time for the remainder of the day.  When the entire camp gathers for havdallah which marks the conclusion of Shabbat – campers are relaxed and motivated for another exciting week.

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Communications and Electronics

Can I call my child when s/he is at camp?

Most participants adjust very quickly to being away from home. But for some, the adjustment is longer and a bit more difficult. Speaking with parents while at camp can create a situation where participants miss home and need to go through their adjustment all over again. Email or regular mail is highly encouraged from parents to their children. Although chalutzim may not email or call home, they are strongly encouraged to write home regularly (via regular mail!).

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Can I stop be to visit when I am in the area?

No! Parents are not allowed to stop into camp. For the same reason that we don’t allow phone calls, parent visits can be incredibly disruptive to the participants and the camp program. Please do not stop by when in the neighborhood.

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Is there a way to know how my child is doing?

Yes!  We send out a weekly newsletter about the progress of the camp program.  We also will be in contact with you should your child have adjustment issues or if there is any major news about the health or well-being of your child that you should know about.

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Is there anything else concerning communication I should know about?

We are located in a very remote area of the Pike National Forest.  We have a few land lines and a limited amount of bandwidth to connect to the internet.  It is always best to email us directly with questions.  We respond to all emails within 24 hours.  That being said, for immediate attention, please call us at 303 261 8214.

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Can I bring my iPod, cell phone, or computer to camp?

At Ramah Outdoor Adventure, we pride ourselves on being a rustic, back-to-nature camp.  It is an opportunity to get away from electronic distractions of everyday life. This means NO CELL PHONES, IPODS, OR COMPUTERS ARE ALLOWED AT CAMP. Our base camp office is equipped with modern technology, which is used by senior staff to communicate with the outside world.  Watches are welcome at base camp, but are left behind on excursions.  Living according to the cycle of the sun can be one of the most powerful experiences of the summer!

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Billing and Financial Aid

How is financial assistance applied to the bill?

If you are requesting financial to help pay for camp, please contact the camp director, Rabbi Eliav Bock, to obtain the necessary forms. All requests are handled with the utmost level of confidentiality, and are reviewed solely by our financial aid committee. Recipients of financial assistance will receive a credit towards their final bill. All families must include the $300 deposit along with their application.

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When are payments due?

All applications must be submitted with a refundable $300 deposit.

All tuition must be paid in full by April 1, 2011.

Ramah Outdoor Adventure is committed to working with families who would like an alternate payment schedule or need extra time to make the final payment. Please contact the camp director, Rabbi Eliav Bock, eliavb[at]ramahoutdoors[dot]org to make special arrangements.

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Are deposits refundable?

Until April 1, 2011 if you decide that this camp is not an appropriate fit for your son/daughter, we will refund you your tuition in full (including the deposit).

After April 1, 2011, we will only be able to issue refunds if we are able to find a camper who will take the place of your son/daughter in his/her age unit.

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