Virtual Camp 2020
June 15 – July 3
We are excited to be offering virtual camp this summer from June 15 – July 3rd. Virtual Camp is free to all 2020 registered Ramah in the Rockies chalutzim and siblings. As you will see below, we are offering a variety of options with various levels of time commitment. We want to provide a chance for our chalutzim to connect with their peers and madrichim, have fun, and to learn new things! We also want to balance that with the commitment to getting kids outside and off their screens. For this reason, we have limited the majority of our programming to the morning hours – 9:30 – 11:30 AM Mountain Time.
Where do Ramah in the Rockies campers come from?
As Ramah’s first specialty camp with wider appeal, we draw chalutzim (campers) from throughout North America who are passionate about the outdoors and want to practice outdoor adventure in a Jewish environment. Our chalutzim come from Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, New York, Boston, Washington DC/Baltimore, Tulsa, San Jose, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego, Houston, Mexico City, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and many more cities across North America and the entire world!
Where is the camp located?
To read more about our facilities and location, click here. Ramah in the Rockies is a 360-acre ranch nestled in the pristine Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Ramah in the Rockies is only 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 the middle of camp. 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..
Ramah in the Rockies ranch is located approximately two hours from Denver International Airport, one hour and 40 minutes from downtown Denver, and one hour and 20 minutes from Colorado Springs. The drive is a scenic mix of highway and local paved roads. The last six miles to camp follow a well-maintained dirt forest service road.
Why do we refer to campers as chalutzim?
At Ramah in the Rockies we refer to our campers as chalutzim, which means pioneers in Hebrew. Ramah in the Rockies prides itself on being a rustic camp in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Everyone who joins our community feels they are helping to create a new Jewish community in an area seldom settled by Jews. In addition to exploring an original homestead house on the ranch that dates from the late 1800s, throughout the summer we explore trails and fields rarely touched by humans — just like the early Western pioneers. In addition, by referring to ourselves as chalutzim, we remember those who helped develop the land of Palestine into the modern State of Israel we know and love today.
What will I eat?
At base camp, all meals are prepared in our kosher kitchen by our professional culinary staff. We believe that the food we serve and eat should reflect our environmental values. A core part of what we do is “lift the veil” on the food at camp. We aim to serve sustainable food, taking into account where food is grown, how it is made (we try not to serve anything processed) and how it affects both our budget and our bodies. 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. All excursion meals are kosher vegetarian and enjoyed by everyone! To learn more about the food at Ramah in the Rockies, take a look at Food Info
Can I bring my own food to camp?
Please do not bring food to camp. Only food provided by our professional culinary staff in the dining hall may be eaten at camp. Ramah in the Rockies 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. But don’t worry! We have an open snack bar available between meals with healthy options like fruits, homemade granola, popcorn, and other goodies. Any food brought into camp by participants or sent to camp in care packages will be donated to a local food pantry. If you have any special dietary restrictions or allergies please call our office at (303) 261-8214 to discuss further.
What gear do I need to bring?
Participants are expected to supply their own personal clothing and 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 packing list can be found here.
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. A full packing list can be found here.
What does a typical day look like at Ramah in the Rockies?
Check out our “What Happen At Camp” page!
What does a typical session look like at Ramah?
Check out our “What Happen At Camp” page!
What are the sleeping arrangements?
At base camp, chalutzim (campers) sleep in large, sturdy platform tents according to their gender and edah (age group). Each tent holds up to 14 chalutzim and two counselors. Tents are equipped with bunk beds and cubbies for storage. Excursions give chalutzim the chance to sleep outdoors near a mountain stream, in an alpine valley, or along the banks of a river. Our camp provides lightweight tents or sturdy tarps to ensure that all participants stay dry and warm on their excursions.
How safe will my child be at base camp and on excursions?
Safety is our number one concern at Ramah in the Rockies. 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 maintain current certification in Wilderness First Aid (20 hour course) at a minimum, and all our head trip leaders maintain certification as a Wilderness First Responder (an 80 hour course) or are EMTs. 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.
Are immunizations required?
Colorado law requires that children entering preschool and school be fully immunized, subject to limited exceptions. Accordingly, Ramah in the Rockies requires that, unless medically exempt as set forth below, all participants and staff participating in its summer programs be up to date on their MMR and Varicella vaccines. All participants and staff members are required to submit their immunization record prior to the state of the camp session each participate or staff member is participating in. As a private organization, Ramah in the Rockies is not required to recognize religious or personal exemptions. Ramah in the Rockies bases this on the responsibility to protect all children and adults associated with Ramah from infections that can be prevented or ameliorated by immunizations.
Program Components
Special Events
Wednesday, July 1st, 11:30 AM MDT – Israel Roundtable with our Mishlachat, Live from Israel! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85788821746
Monday, August 10th – Save the Date for our Virtual Yom Sport!
Weekly Activity Booklets – Bring the Ramah fun home!
Each we will be sharing a booklet of 6 fun camp-style activities for you to do at home, inspired by our camp core values. Complete 12 of the activities, send in photos to juliac@ramahoutdooors.org, and earn a year towards your 5 year shirt!
Week 1 – Simcha (Joy) – Black & White or Color
Week 2 – Kavod (Honor/Respect) – Color
Week 3 – Manhigut (Leadership) – Color
Teffilah and Camp Wide Programs
These programs are open to our whole community, and do not require registration.
Peulat Erev (Evening Program): Mondays at 4:30 PM MDT – Join for fun and games! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87519595100
Teffilah: 10:00 AM MDT- Tuesdays – Musical with Michael, Wednesdays – Yoga with Deena, Thursdays – Special Guests! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85270725477
Kabbalat Shabbat & Rikkud: Fridays at 4:30 PM MDT – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84620886790
Edah & Ohel Programming
At camp, we know that chalutzim develop strong bonds with their ohel & edah through shared experiences and nurturing madrichim. Each week, the edot will meet for 45 minutes of programming on Mondays, followed by daily 20 minute check-ins and games on Tuesday – Thursday. The edah groups will be small, with a consistent group of chalutzim and tzevet. For this reason, we ask that you commit to attending all four days per week for the full three weeks.
Chuggim
Each week, we are offering a variety of chuggim – 45 minute activities. This is an opportunity for chalutzim to learn new things and connect with kids with similar interests. Chuggim A will run Tuesday/Thursday, and Chuggim B on Wednesday/Friday. Chalutzim can sign up for chuggim independent of their participation in the Edah programming. You can sign up for all three weeks of chuggim, or just one!
Click HERE to read the full details on all of our chuggim.
Winter Office
Ramah in the Rockies
300 S. Dahlia St., Suite 205
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: (303) 261-8214
Fax: (303) 261-8210
Summer Office
Please call our summer office
at (303) 261-8214 to get directions.