The Camp Program

BEHAVIOR IN THE TZRIF (BUNK)

The tzrif (bunk) is a place where all of its members must feel safe and comfortable. Hanichim must act in a friendly and respectful manner at all times with their friends and bunk-mates, as well as with their madrichim (counselors).

Hanichim should be mindful of each other’s privacy and behave with modesty and respect. Hanichim are not allowed to lie or sleep in each other’s beds or shower together in the same stall. Hanichim are not allowed to disrupt someone who is sleeping or to invade someone’s privacy in the bathroom or shower.

No photographs are permitted to be taken inside a tzrif.

CAMPER BIRTHDAYS

Every hanich with a birthday during the camp season will receive a cake for a tzrif party. Hanich birthdays are in our database and this is taken care of automatically. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s Yoetzet (Parent Liaison) to schedule a phone call with their child on their birthday.

SHABBAT

Shabbat at Ramah has a magical intensity that can only come from an entire community engaged in the beauty of the day. When we ask campers why they keep coming back to camp, Shabbat is always one of the first things they mention. The ruach (spirit) of Shabbat is one of the most indelible memories of the Ramah experience.

We are a Shomer Shabbat camp. In their personal space, on their own bed, a hanich may chose to use a flashlight or headphones.

In addition to Shabbat meals, services, and singing, sports and swimming are permitted.

Turning on or off lights, writing, drawing, painting, building, playing musical instruments are are prohibited on Shabbat.

T’FILLOT (PRAYER SERVICES)

Every morning, every edah (division/age group) participates in morning t’fillot (prayer services). Our t’fillot are molded to fit each age group and are focused on making prayer relevant and meaningful for our hanichim. With the ongoing help of madrichim and other tzevet, hanichim will leave Ramah with greater abilities for synagogue participation and leadership.

All t’fillot are egalitarian.

At Camp Ramah New England, everyone is treated equally in all Jewish ritual matters. Women are counted for a minyan and are eligible to read Torah and Haftarah, and to lead all religious services and rituals. Women are encouraged to bring tallit and tefillin to camp.

Hanichim living in male identifying bunks are obligated to wear a kippah or head-covering during meals, study and prayer. Hanichot living in female identifying bunks may elect to cover their heads during those times, but they are not obligated to do so. During t’fillot on Shabbat, we require a kippah rather than a hat. Out of respect, when wearing tefillin, one must always wear a kippah.

Hanichim living in male identifying bunks over the age of Bar Mitzvah must wear a tallit and tefillin during t’fillot on weekday and Sunday mornings, and a tallit on Shabbat morning. Hanichot living in female identifying bunks over the age of Bat Mitzvah are encouraged to do so.

Anyone, of any gender, who is leading t’fillot or participating in the Torah Service, must wear a tallit and a kippah or head-covering, which camp will provide.

On Friday afternoons, the entire camp community gathers together to welcome Shabbat through song and prayer as we daven Kabbalat Shabbat together. This is a particularly special experience, as it is one of the few times during the week that the entire camp is gathered together.  

IVRIT (HEBREW)

At Camp Ramah, we take seriously our commitment to Ivrit (Hebrew). We help our hanichim to expand their Ivrit abilities in many different ways, including our formal curriculum and also through singing and dancing to Israeli music, and taking extra care that certain words and phrases only be said in Ivrit. We make announcements in the Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall) and during t’fillot exclusively in Ivrit.

Meah Milim: We’ve put together a list of the 100 most common milim (words) that we strive to use only in Ivrit at camp. Throughout the summer, our hanichim and madrichim encourage one another to use the milim on this list exclusively in Ivrit. And the Meah Milim initiative doesn’t stop with specific words — we use this program as a catalyst for including more Ivrit in our everyday lives at camp.

Click here to read about our Meah Milim (100 Words) program and to see the complete list of milim (words).

We do not expect anyone to come to camp with these meah milim already learned or memorized. We do not want anyone to feel pressured to “study” before coming to camp! We will all be learning and working on these meah milim together at camp.

And who knows, we might just have some special swag to give to tzevet and hanichim who make great use of these meah milim this kayitz at camp!

CURFEWS

Hanichim have a full day of activities and programs, and a good night’s sleep is essential for their enjoying camp. Therefore, it is imperative that your child understands that when lights are out at night, it is time to go to sleep and they are to remain in their tzrif. Night excursions and raids are not allowed at Camp Ramah. This policy is very strictly enforced — both for the safety of your children and the tzevet (staff-members). Hanichim who are not able to abide by this rule will not be allowed to remain in camp.

THE BOUNDARIES OF CAMP

Hanichim may not ever go beyond the Eruv that surrounds camp, the train tracks, or K’far Nivonim without the express permission of their Rosh Edah or another senior staff-member.

With permission, hanichim and tzevet may visit the treehouse and use the trail that runs behind Tzad Bet (B-Side), from Agam HaTzafon back to K’far Nivonim.  This is not allowed on Shabbat, when, in order to ensure the observance of Shabbat, no one is permitted to go beyond the Eruv.

Hanichim are NEVER permitted to go to the “train bridge” in the woods behind camp, or anywhere else off of the trail to the treehouse.

(NOTE: An Eruv is a boundary that allows Jews to carry needed things in public on Shabbat, marked around much of camp with wooden poles connected with string.)

LIVING IN NATURE

Insects and bugs — There are mosquitoes and ticks in our environment. Please send plenty of bug spray with your child. Our madrichim will remind them to apply the repellent daily. Additionally, our madrichim will remind the hanichim to self-check for ticks when they shower. Please teach your children how to do a tick self-check and encourage them to do so daily. Each tzrif has a card hanging in the bathroom reminding campers how to do the checks.

Sun — Please send your children with hats and sunscreen to prevent sunburns. Our madrichim will remind the hanichim to put on sunscreen daily and to reapply as necessary.

Tornadoes — In case of a tornado warning, we have a detailed procedure to shelter everyone in camp in one of our basements. We drill this procedure during staff week.

ANIMALS AT CAMP

GRATUITIES

We do not accept tipping for our staff.  Tzevet at Camp Ramah are engaged in an important educational enterprise. They are dedicated to this task. If you appreciate the service your child receives at Camp Ramah, we encourage you to make a contribution to Ramah New England in honor of a staff member. All staff-members are notified of such contributions.

VISITING POLICY AND VISITING DAY & INTERSESSION

We expect to welcome full summer camper families to camp for Visiting Day. We will be sending out more details as it gets closer. This is what we anticipate now (as of May, 2o22):

• Visiting Day will run from 12-3.
• All visitors will need to register prior to Visiting Day and will need to bring a negative antigen test that was taken that day. We are restricting visitors to immediate family.
• Full summer campers and their visitors will not be able to leave campus during visiting hours.
• As much as possible, we want everyone to stay outdoors. If you must enter your child’s bunk, you must be masked.
• We will provide a BBQ lunch for campers and visitors.