About

Welcome to Camp!

Welcome to Ramah in the Rockies, the only Kosher outdoor adventure camp in the country with an intensive Jewish program!

At our machane (camp), we strive to nurture the character development of Jewish youth by providing them the opportunity to challenge themselves physically, intellectually, socio-emotionally, and spiritually. We hope you’ll take some time to explore our website and discover what makes our kehillah kedosha (holy community) such a special place!

Interested in sending your camper to Ramah in the Rockies? Give us a call at (303) 261-8214 or email info@ramahoutdoors.org!

about

Base Camp

Ramah in the Rockies is 360 acres of pristine ponderosa forests and alpine meadows nestled in the pristine Pike and San Isabel National Forests. At an elevation of 8,000 feet, the ranch is surrounded by magnificent towering mountain peaks with three mountain-fed streams running through its center. For more information about our site and facilities, click here!

Only 90 minutes from Denver and two hours from Denver International Airport (DIA), we are able to welcome campers from every corner of the United States as well as Israel, Mexico, and beyond! Click here for transportation information.

During their time at the Ramah in the Rockies ranch, which we refer to as “base camp,” chalutzim (campers) participate in a variety of outdoor adventure opportunities  (e.g. rock climbing, horseback riding, and mountain biking) and more traditional camp activities like arts and crafts, sports, and archery.

While at base camp, our chalutzim enjoy meals together as a community, participate in daily t’filot (prayers) and Jewish learning, and forge connections with their peers through a variety of programming options. We also make time for shira (song session) and rikkud (Israeli dancing) as often as possible!

Chalutzim live in big wall cabin tents with up to 14 campers and 3 staff members and sleep on sturdy wooden bunk beds. Our beautiful bathhouses provide flush toilets and hot showers just a few steps from the tents. 

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Masa’ot

At Ramah in the Rockies, our campers participate in masa’ot, or backcountry excursions, every other week. While our youngest chalutzim start small with an overnight camping experience, older campers spend three, four, or five days exploring the Colorado backcountry!

Masa is an opportunity for campers to hone their outdoor skills, challenge themselves, and connect with friends. With options ranging from rock climbing to white water rafting to night navigation, every camper is sure to have an unforgettable adventure.

Each masa is unique: some chalutzim may be backpacking for four or eight hours a day, others learn the intricacies of off-grid living and permaculture farming, and some safely zoom down some of the best mountain-biking trails in the state. No matter which masa they participate in, all of our campers return to base camp covered in dirt, smiling, and confident in themselves and their ability to conquer life’s challenges!

Learn more about masa’ot at Ramah in the Rockies here.

aboutJudaism at Camp

Camp is a laboratory for joyful Jewish living and learning.

While at camp, chalutzim participate in t’filot (prayers) each morning. We provide the option of a full, traditional shacharit every day, and we also provide opportunities for Jewish connection through a variety of alternative t’filot. Art, nature, music, or yoga-based options allow our campers to think about and connect to Jewish prayer in a different way!

Celebrating Shabbat is undoubtedly the highlight of each week at Ramah in the Rockies. Our whole kehillah (community) comes together to sing, dance, and welcome Shabbat! On Saturdays, we offer several t’filah and Jewish learning options for campers of all ages, as well as special sporting events and activities such as Ramahcappella and Sha-poetry. Havdalah and an Israeli dance party concludes the Shabbat festivities and prepare us for a joyous new week!

We also encourage Jewish connection at camp through the use of Hebrew and developing a love for Israel. Certain Hebrew terms are part of our daily routine, and our campers pick them up in no time.

about

Interested in Learning More?

If Ramah in the Rockies sounds like the place for your camper, check out our dates, rates, and availability or register here today!

If you’d like to learn more about camp, register for one of our virtual info sessions, take a look at our frequently asked questions, or give us a call at (303) 261-8214!

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What Happens
at Camp

Ramah in the Rockies blends the best of the outdoor adventure camp model with all of the classic activities found at larger, more traditional camps. During the week, our younger campers (3rd to 6th grades) spend most of their time at base camp participating in base camp activities and some of their time on overnight and rafting trips in the great outdoors.

Our older campers (7th to 10th grades and JOLI – 11th and 12th grades) 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, participating in base camp activities, and becoming part of a much larger community. At the end of each week, we join together at base camp as one community to celebrate the traditions, spirituality, and peace of Shabbat.

Masa (backcountry excursion)
highlights include:

  • Hiking through breathtaking mountain passes
  • Forging through deep river canyons
  • Climbing rugged cliffs
  • Biking mountain paths

Base camp activities include:

  • Rock Climbing
  • Horseback Riding
  • Mountain Biking
  • Mining
  • Duathlon
  • Sports
  • Wilderness Survival
  • Archery
  • Orienteering
  • Farming and Animal Care
  • Zumba
  • Frolf (Frisbee Golf)
  • And more…

This is a typical schedule
for base camp:

7:00 amKima (Wake Up)
7:40 – 8:20 AMBreakfast! Fueling our bodies for the day
8:30 – 9:20 AMT’filot (Prayers) & Shmirat HaGuf (Caring for our Bodies, Morning Stretches)
9:30 – 10:00 AMNikayon (Cleaning Bunks) & Hachanah (Morning Prep–filling water bottles, applying sunscreen)
10:00 – 11:00 AMActivity A (Campers choose or rotate amongst activity options: farming, backcountry skills, mountain biking, ropes course/rock climbing, outdoor cooking, wilderness arts & crafts, frisbee golf, orienteering, archery, mining, aerobics, duathlon training, sports, service projects & more)
11:10 – 12:10 PMActivity B (Same as Activity A)
12:20 – 1:00 PMLunch & Shira (Song Session)
1:10 – 2:10 PMSha’at Minucha (Rest Hour)
2:20 – 3:20 PMActivity C (Same as Activity A)
3:30 – 4:30 PMZ’man Edah (Age Group Learning, Fun Time)
4:40 – 5:40 PMActivity D (Same as Activity A)

5:40 – 6:10 PMChofesh (Free Time) in Tent Area
6:15- 7:00 PMDinner & Rikkud (Dancing)

7:00 – 7:50 PMPeulat Erev (Evening Program)
8:00 – 8:30 PMLilah Tov (Bedtime) Prep

8:30 – 9:00 PMHarga’ah (Calming Activity) & Lilah Tov (Good Night)

At Base Camp

For the first week of camp, our 3rd-6th grade campers rotate by ohel (bunk) experiencing the different base camp activities we offer. When they return from their first masa, the younger edot (age groups) continue to rotate to all the activities with their ohalim, with choice for a couple of activity periods.

Our 7th-9th grade chalutzim will rotate by ohel to activities on the first full day of camp and then level into chuggim for all additional program days at base camp, enabling them to specialize in specific activities.

Our rising 10th grade campers choose one out of three activities in which to major for the first two weeks: mountain biking, rock climbing, or off-the-grid living. They spend half of their day at base camp engaged in this activity, prepping to apply their skills and knowledge on their majors masa. When they return from masa, they continue to select their base camp activities.

Our two-week chalutzim live in an ohel with other two-week campers and our four-week chalutzim with other four-week campers. Both participate in t’filot (prayer experiences), edah programming, choice chuggim, evening activities, and some masa’ot with each other.

On Excursion…

Days out on the trail begin with the sunrise. The group prepares breakfast and spends some time engaged in traditional or alternative prayer experiences. Throughout the camping experience, our madrichim (counselors) integrate Judaism and its connection to nature, lead the group in wilderness skill-building, and facilitate group bonding activities. There is no such thing as a typical schedule while on excursions. Each excursion is unique: some campers may be rock climbing new cliffs all day, while others may be biking along the beautiful roads heading back to camp after having gone rafting the previous day.

Excursions include
(depending on the age of participant):

White water rafting
Biking
Rock climbing
Backpacking
Farming
Wildcraft skills with David Michael Scott
Art
Tipanayim (a joint climbing/biking trip)
Mindfulness

Our four week session includes two extended excursions for the older chalutzim (three-five days, depending on the age group). Our two week sessions include one extended excursion for chalutzim entering grades 5-8 and an overnight for our younger chalutzim

Camp Facilities

Ramah in the Rockies is 360 acres of pristine ponderosa forests and alpine meadows nestled in the pristine Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Located 90 minutes from Denver at an elevation of 8,000 feet, the ranch is surrounded by magnificent towering mountain peaks with three mountain-fed streams running through its center. We have on-site natural climbing walls, horse stables, numerous fields for sports, and hundreds of lush, verdant acres for our chalutzim (campers) to safely explore every day.

All Ramah in the Rockies sleeping facilities are rustic and solidly built to withstand the elements. A maximum of 14 chalutzim and 3 madrichim (counselors) share a large walled, platform tent. The tents are arranged around communal showers and toilet facilities.  Our whole community eats together in a shared dining hall, which was completed in 2021!

Edot / age groups

Click here for information about our Camp Wellness team and how we support campers of any age with higher needs.

Ta’am Ramah, “Taste of Ramah” – 2nd-4th Grade

Ta’am Ramah is an overnight program lasting four days and three nights – just enough time for your camper to get a taste of Ramah in the Rockies and discover if our camp is the right fit! Our Ta’am Ramah chalutzim participate in all the fun of daily life at camp from living in an ohel and bonding with their bunkmates and counselors to trying all of our popular chuggim, celebrating Shabbat together, and embarking on a mini daytime masa.

For your convenience, a bus will shuttle campers from the Hebrew Education Alliance (HEA) in Denver to our 360-acre alpine ranch in the heart of Pike National Forest. Upon arrival, your child will be welcomed by their counselors, settle into their ohel, and get to know their bunkmates.

View dates & rates here, and contact Stacy Wasserman at stacyw@ramahoutdoors.org for more information and to get on our priority list.

Ilanot – 3rd & 4th Grade

Our youngest chalutzim (campers) experience all the activities Ramah in the Rockies has to offer. From horseback riding and farming to archery and mining, campers rotate through our base camp chuggim (activities) each week. The fun doesn’t end there! Our Ilanot chalutzim also enjoy the magic of masa’ot (backcountry excursions) with day hikes, field trips, and campouts at the far corners of our property. Ilanot lays the foundation for our chalutzim to become lifelong Ramahniks and backcountry explorers!

Metaylim – 5th & 6th Grade

Rising 5th and 6th graders are ready to challenge themselves, and our program gives them that opportunity. While our Metaylim chalutzim continue to enjoy a wide sampling of our base camp offerings, they are also able to pursue their individual interests by choosing some of their daily chuggim (activities). Special for our Metaylim chalutzim, their first masa (backcountry excursion) is a joint white water rafting, backpacking experience, and their second one is backpacking trip on a trail outside of camp. These trips help prepare them for the longer masa’ot they’ll experience in the older edot (age groups).

Sollelim – 7th Grade & 2 Week 8th Grade

The mountain’s call does not go unanswered for our 7th and 8th grade chalutzim! Our 7th and 2 week 8th grade chalutzim will rotate by ohel to activities on the first full day of camp and then level into chuggim for all additional program days at base camp, enabling them to specialize in specific activities. Their first masa is a special ohel (bunk) one where they’ll set up camp and have the opportunity to go on various day hikes and engage in camping and nature activities. Backpacking, art, rock climbing, mountain biking, and rafting are some of the masa’ot (backcountry excursions) choices available for their second masa. Lasting four days and three nights, our Sollelim campers not only challenge themselves and hone their wildcraft skills, but they also learn life lessons in overcoming adversity and how much they are able capable of achieving.

Bogrim – 4 Week 8th Grade & 9th Grade

Bogrim campers are ready to take things to the next level with increased independence in pursuing program activities that excite them and allow them to truly customize their experience here at Ramah in Rockies. From selecting base camp chuggim (activities) and engaging in more in-depth backcountry skills, our 8th and 9th grade chalutzim establish firm foundations for their intensive five-day, four-night masa’ot (backcountry excursions) that can take them mountain biking, climbing, backpacking, or strengthening their wildcraft survival skills.

Sayarim – 10th Grade

In our 10th grade program, chalutzim (campers) focus on their choice of a core base camp activity and develop serious backcountry skills. Our rising 10th grade campers chose to major in either mountain biking, rock climbing, or off-the-grid living for the first two weeks of camp. They spend half of their day at base camp engaged in this activity, prepping to apply their skills and knowledge on their majors masa, where these skills come to life as chalutzim are challenged spiritually, physically, and socio-emotionally.

The second half of the day is a combination of backcountry skill-building, Jewish learning, and leadership development. When they return from their majors masa, they continue to select their base camp activities. Backcountry strengths are honed and expanded in their second masa, as they go backpacking and prepare to become mentors and leaders in the future.

Recognizing their growing role as future pathfinders, our 10th grade campers enjoy a later curfew and also have a dedicated moadon (hangout space) available to them at base camp.

JOLI – 11th Grade

JOLI, the culmination of the Ramah in the Rockies experience, is a rigorous Jewish outdoor leadership program. Participants learn soft skills (e.g. leadership and communication practices) and further develop their hard skills, such as outdoor survival. Chalutzim (campers) divide their time between base camp programming, serving as counselors-in-training for younger chalutzim, and masa, where they spend five days in the backcountry putting their hard & soft skills to the test and do a solo!

Members of our JOLI program are not just campers, they are future madrichim specializing in a specific program area, leading campers in the backcountry, and leading base camp activities.  At base camp, JOLI put their increased knowledge to use as role models for our younger chalutzim.

To learn even more about our JOLI program, click here

12th Grade Program –
Ramah Seminar in Israel

Ramah Israel Seminar is a six-week travel program in Israel designed for rising 12th graders who are former campers of the ten Ramah overnight camps in North America. For over 50 years, Ramah Seminar has proven itself to be an outstanding way for teens to experience Israel. Seminar participants travel Israel from north to south, gaining an in-depth perspective of Israel’s history and future and a deep introduction to the Jewish state.

Many Ramah in the Rockies alumni have enjoyed the Seminar Shvilim track, which weaves in and out of the classic Ramah Seminar program, while offering a wide array of outdoor adventure activities, hiking, and Israeli-style outdoors training. Automatic grants are available for Ramah in the Rockies alumni who would like to attend Ramah Israel Seminar. Please contact ramahisrael@campramah.org for more information.

Community Safety Policies

We understand our sacred obligation to care for your children, and safety is our number one priority. In order to ensure we are adhering to industry best practices for child protection, we continuously review and revise our safety policies in partnership with Sacred Spaces and their Aleinu campaign. We have compiled our child safety policies here and welcome your questions and feedback.

Our Child Safety Committee meets monthly. If you are interested in learning more or joining, or if you have questions or feedback about our policies, please contact Talia Horowitz, Director of Camp Wellness.

Camp Wellness & Special Needs

At Ramah in the Rockies, we believe that all Jewish children should be able to experience the transformative experience of Jewish summer camp. We know that each child has their own mental, emotional, social and physical needs, and whenever possible, we will work closely with parents and guardians to develop a customized plan to enable their child to succeed in our community. At the same time, we know that there are some children we are not able to serve for a variety of reasons, and we will work with parents and guardians to find a Jewish summer camp that is suitable for their child.

To inquire about specific support for your child at Ramah in the Rockies, please email our Director of Camp Wellness, Talia Horowitz, at talia@ramahoutdoors.org.

The Ramah Camping Movement has pioneered the effort of serving campers with developmental disabilities. The first Ramah Tikvah Program started in 1970 and has been active at Ramah in the Rockies since 2012. What began as a stand-alone unit where campers with disabilities lived in their own tents has since evolved. As of 2017 we have transitioned to a mainstream inclusion model, where we provide a high level of integration and support for young people with autism spectrum disorders and other special needs.

Click HERE to read more.

Ramah in the Rockies operates under a special use permit on the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. - Enfold Theme by Kriesi

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