Updates on our new Outdoor Education Program!

At Camp Ramah in New England, we strive to teach about values of environmentalism and Judaism’s connection to teva (nature). Camp has long been a place where people step away from modern technology in favor of connecting with nature. This kayitz (summer), our goal is to expand and formalize space in camp for the exploration of outdoor activities. We are excited to introduce a new outdoor cooking station, new animals on our farm, and a new garden; together these elements will create a Pinat Teva (Nature Corner), where campers will come each day for chugim (activities).

We are working now on planting our garden, which will be overflowing with plants connected to Jewish ritual: spices for Havdallah, vegetables for harvest, and flowers for Shabbat. The new outdoor cooking space is under construction, and it will feature a pizza oven to make pita and many more delicious snacks. We periodically receive pictures of the animals that will be coming to camp, such as the lambs that you can see above. Along with Rabbi Josh Ackerman, who directed our Hava (farm) last summer, three tzevet members will be joining him daily to implement the new programming that will be centralized in this space. We see this project as another way to bring Jewish text and values to life in camp. As we learn from Kohelet Rabbah 17:13:1

We know that by expanding the space in which campers connect to teva, we are deepening the experiences and skills that they take home from a kayitz at Ramah and truly teaching how to create and preserve rather than damage and destroy.