The Camp Program

PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMP PROGRAM

If you have not yet done so, please be sure to read Rabbi Gelb’s message to camp families about participation and camper behavior.

Please have a conversation with your child about participation at camp and encourage them to partake in the full experience.  

The power of Camp Ramah’s impact is rooted in the experiential nature of camp life. Campers and staff engage in a living laboratory of Judaism and share the full range of daily living from daily chores and meals to social, religious and instructional activities. Although there are choices on which particular activity one might do, like ceramics or soccer, by coming to camp, one commits to participating in the full program. 

Why are we telling you this? Because at Ramah we pride ourselves on making necessary accommodations for campers to be able to access our program. These accommodations are discussed and worked out with our camper care team in the off-season. Campers coming to camp with these supports should be able to participate in the vast majority (over 90%) of camp programming.  

As a community, we want to support the individual while also maintaining that the individual has a responsibility to the community. Everyone participating raises the level of the camp experience, and if individuals choose not to participate, that disrupts others and impacts everyone. Additionally, campers who don’t participate or aren’t where they are supposed to be require individual staff supervision, which is an unsustainable model for our camp program.

It is normal for campers to have some activities they don’t love. Camp is an all inclusive experience and campers must participate in all activities.  

Kids are kids. Sometimes a particular activity isn’t their favorite, makes them mildly uncomfortable or they would rather do something else in the moment. We tolerate occasional testing of limits by campers as age appropriate. However, campers are expected to participate in the full program and cannot opt out of activities.  

There is a difference between being “unsafe” and “uncomfortable”. No child (or staff member) should ever feel or be “unsafe” at camp. Leaving your comfort zone and trying new things is part of what camp is about. There are appropriate and positive ways to be “uncomfortable” at camp.  

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 or videos are permitted to be taken inside a tzrif.

CAMPER BIRTHDAYS

It’s always exciting when a hanich has a birthday while at camp! 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 is magical. 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.

Sports and swimming are permitted on Shabbat.

Turning on or off lights, writing, drawing, painting, building, & playing musical instruments 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, meaningful, and fun 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, no matter one’s gender or gender identity, is treated equally in all Jewish ritual matters. Everyone is counted for a Minyan and is eligible to read Torah and Haftarah and to lead all religious services and rituals.

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. For campers over the age or Bar/Bat/Brit Mitzvah, when wearing tefillin during t’fillot (prayers), 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.

MORNINGS

Tzad Aleph Hanichim/ot (A-Side campers, rising 6th through 7th graders) must remain in their tzrif (bunk) in the mornings until the wake-up time for their bunk, as set by their madrichim/ot (counselors).

Tzad Bet Hanichim/ot (B-Side campers, rising 8th through 11th graders) may leave their tzrif (bunk) in the morning to exercise, under the following conditions:

  • Hanichim/ot (campers) must obtain the permission of their Rosh Edah or Yoetz, AND their madrich/a (counselor), before they may leave the tzrif.
  • This is not allowed during the first three mornings of camp. (At the start of second session, full summer kids can continue, but new second session kids must wait until after those first three mornings.)
  • Hanichim/ot must make a plan with their madrich/a for what time they will be leaving the tzrif to exercise, and where they’re going, before they may leave the tzrif.
  • Hanichim/ot may not leave the tzrif before 7:30am.
  • Hanichim/ot may not disturb or wake up any other campers.
  • Hanichim/ot may not go into the Beit Am Gadol or other buildings.

Hanichim/ot are not allowed in the fitness room without the supervision of a tzevet-member at any time.

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.

Hanichim who are not able to abide by these rules will not be allowed to remain in camp.

(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

No campers may bring an animal to camp.

CAMPERS WITH UPCOMING B’NAI/B’NOT/BRIT MITZVAH

Please click here for updated information on how we support our campers with a Bar/Bat/Brit Mitzvah in the months after camp.

RULES FOR CAMPERS TRAVELING ON A BUS OR VAN

  • Campers should be encouraged to utilize the bathroom prior to departing.
  • Please obey your “Bus Captain” and all Ramah staff-members at all times.
  • Passengers must remain seated at all times with hands and arms inside the vehicle. (This requirement to remain seated at all times may be modified, as appropriate, when traveling aboard motor coaches with toilets on board.)
  • All personnel in vehicles must buckle up before the vehicle can leave camp, and remain belted until exiting the vehicle after it is parked. If applicable, persons in wheelchairs are seat-belted into wheelchairs that are in locked positions and secured to vehicles.
  • Campers should be careful not to be disruptive during the bus ride (no yelling, running around on the bus, etc.). Videos and other entertainment must be quiet enough not to distract the driver.
  • Do not disembark from the vehicle without the express permission of your Bus Captain.
  • Do not leave any garbage on the bus.

STUNTS/GYMNASTICS SAFETY

  • Hanichim/ot who have experience in gymnastics outside of camp are allowed to do simple tumbling using mats on stage, with permission of a tzevet-member.  (Examples include: roundoffs, aerial, front and back handsprings.)
  • Anything beyond simple tumbling that could be considered a stunt must be approved by a member of the senior team.
  • Hanichim/ot may not participate in stunts involving ankle holds or baskets.
  • Hanichim/ot may not jump on or off a stage or on or off people’s backs.

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.

OPENING DAY

Please click here for information on arrival day at the start of kayitz (summer) 2025.

To help our campers jump into the fun of camp as quickly as possible, our staff will unpack for our younger campers prior to their arrival at camp.  For our Kochavim and Ilanot campers (current 2nd-4th graders) and for our Amitzim campers, our staff will fully unpack their belongings and make their beds.  For our Solelim and Shoafim campers (current 5th-6th graders), our staff will make their beds, and will assist the campers with unpacking the rest of their clothes and belongings after they arrive.  (Please pack a set of linens at the top of one of your child’s bags.)  For our Tzad Bet campers (current 7th-10th graders), campers will unpack their own belongings (assisted & supported by our staff, as needed) after they arrive on the first day of camp.

VISITING POLICY AND VISITING DAY & INTERSESSION

Please click here for information on Visiting Day for kayitz (summer) 2025.

We will be sending out more details as it gets closer. This is what we anticipate now (as of May, 2025): 

  • Visiting Day will run from 11:30-3:00.
  • We will offer a free BBQ lunch for campers and visitors from 12:00-2:00.
  • All visitors will need to register prior to Visiting Day and RSVP for the BBQ lunch.
  • Full summer campers and their visitors will be able to leave camp during visiting hours. 

TISHA B’AV

We observe the summer fast-day of Tisha B’Av at camp in a way that honors the solemnity of the day while also allowing kids to continue to have fun at summer camp.  In the nine days before Tisha B’Av, dairy or vegetarian options are available at all meals.  On Tisha B’Av, no camper under the age of 13 is permitted to fast without the permission of a family or guardian.  Campers who choose to fast are observed carefully by staff-members and encouraged to drink water as needed and, if necessary, break their fast.  Staff are trained in how to present the themes and history of Tisha B’Av to our campers in an age-appropriate way.