Wehavebeenworkinghardatplanninganincrediblesummerandourstaff issuperexcitedtoshowyouandyourcampertheresultsofthoseplans. Expecttoreunitewitholdfriends,makenewones,revisityourfavorite activities,andexpandyourcampexperience.
Wesoappreciateyourpartnershipinmakingsurethatbothyourcamper(s), andallothercampers,haveagreatsummeratCampRamah.Thepolicies andguidelinesinthishandbookaretheproductofourcommunity’svalues, feedbackfromRamahparents/guardians,andourownconstantreflection andreview.
Pleaseseethelimiteddirectorybelowforcontactinformationforboththe campandthestaffwhocanhelpyouwithquestionsorconcernsregarding thesummer.
AriellaMossPeterseil CampDirector RabbiJoeMenashe ExecutiveDirector
Wearesoproudofour outstandingcampercareteam ofprofessionalswhoworkwith ourcampers,staff,andparents.
Eachedah(agegroup)hasa yoetz/et(CamperCareteam member)whoseesyourchild eachday,andtheyarethereto guidethecounselorsandstaff andserveasacommunication liaisonbetweenparentsand camp.
Onthefirstdayofcampyouwill receivethenameandemail addressofyourcamper’s yoetz/etsothatyoucanreach outdirectlyasneeded.Atcamp weoperateunderthe“nonews isgoodnews”motto.Wewillnot hesitatetobeintouchshould weneedtoinformyouof anythinggoingonatcamp,but pleaseassumethatifyouhave notheardfromus,alliswell. Ifyouhaveaspecificquestion aboutyourcamperduringthe sessionyoumayemailyour child’syoetz/etorcallourcamp officefrom8:30am-5:30pm.
Medicalforms&bunkrequests areavailableuponenrollment
MostformsareduebyApril15
Thetransportationhandbookcan befoundintheForms&Documents sectionoftheparentportalformore informationanddetailedupdates. Westrivetohaveearlyluggage pickupinLosAngeles,Phoenix (Session1)andSanDiego(Session 2).Furtherinformationwillbe availablearoundMay. Luggagetagswillbemailedto familiesapproximately3-4weeks beforethesessionstarts.
Mostremainingformsbecome availablearoundwinterbreak
Campisakosherandnut-freespace.
Campersareprovidedwiththree healthymealsandregularsnacks eachday.Campersorderitemsfrom ourcanteentwiceaweek(includedin child’scampfees).
Campersshouldnotbringfoodwith themtocamp.Thisisanareathatwe askforpartnershipinasadherenceto thesepolicieshelpssetatoneof equityfromtheveryfirstday.Campers maynotreceivepackageswithany fooditems.Anyfooditemssentto campwillbedonated.
*Campersmaybringsnacksforthebusor plane.Anysnacksnotfinishedontherideup tocampwillbesharedwiththebunk communally.Itemsthatdonotcontaina koshersymbol,ormaycontainnuts,willbe disposedofimmediately.
Campiscasualandmessy!Packaccordingly ShabbatonFridayeveningsandSaturdaysareabitnicer: khakipantsorshorts,casualdresses,orskirts.Thefourthand finalFridaynightofeachsessionisWhiteShabbat.GesherAleph andGimmeldon’tneedtopackWhiteShabbatclothing. Shouldersandbacksneedtobecoveredbyeithersleevesora sweaterforallt’fillot(prayers).
Tallitandt’fillinarerequiredforallmalesandencouragedfor females,overBar/BatMitzvah
Acceptableswimwear:1piece,tankini,orswimshorts(no speedosorbikinis).Rashguardsareencouragedatthepool andrequiredforovernighttripswithwateractivities(e.g.beach orkayaking).
Ourmantra:label,label,label.Astickerlabelwithafirstandlast namehelpseveryoneidentifytheirbelongings.
Save25%onyourorderatLabelDaddywiththecode CampRamah
Clothingwithreferencestodrugs,alcohol,orprofanityarenot permittedatcamp.Pleasepackwithyourchildrentoprevent yourcamperfrombringinginappropriateitemstoRamah. Packingchecklistcanbefoundonourwebsite.
Evenwithlabels,things getlost(orbroken)Don’t packitifit’sexpensiveor wouldbeupsettingtolose orbreak
Don’tforgettopackred, blue,green,andyellowso you’rereadyfor whicheverMaccabiah teamyou’reonthis summer!
Weareoneofthelastscreen-freespacesinkids'lives!Thisallowseveryoneto unplug,connectwithfriends,enjoytheoutdoors,andnotbedistractedbythe outsideworld
Thingskidscanbring:ane-readerorKindlewithoutinternetbrowsing access,inexpensivedigitalcameras,an“oldfashioned”MP3playerwhere filesareuploadedviacomputer(notwirelessly).
Techtoleaveathome:Justplainanythingwithinternetorcellularaccess. Thatincludescellphones(evenwithoutaSIMcard),iPads,smartwatches, andiPods.
Ifyourchildisflyingto/fromcampandyouwouldprefertheytravelwitha phone,itwillbecollectedonthefirstdayandkeptsafeintheoffice,and thenreturnedattheendofthesession.
Confiscatedcellphonesandotherprohibiteddeviceswillbereturned homeatthefamily’sexpense.
TopTip
Mail: Nothingbeatsreceivinga handwrittenletterorpostcard, andwritingthemisagreatskill forkidstodevelop(andcreates agreatkeepsake!).
Youcanmakeletterwritingabit easierbysendingpreaddressed&stamped envelopeswithyourcamper. Onthefirstdayofcamp,you willreceiveyourchild’sbunkor tentinfowithinstructionson howtoaddressletters.
Being at camp is the most exciting gift of all! Please only send letters or postcards requiring no more than a first-class stamp. Should you forget to pack an important item, contact your Camper Care Team member to arrange shipping
Sendallmailto: Child’sName ℅CampRamah BunkorTent# 385FairviewRoad Ojai,CA93023
*Ifyouchoosetosendmailaheadof time,pleaseincludeyourchild’s edahinplaceofbunk/tent#
Email(forspeediercommunication):
Youcanemailyourchildfromthe CampInTouchPortalorCampanionapp. Mailandemailsaredistributeddaily (exceptonShabbat)afterlunchduring menucha(resthour).
Youcanrequestane-letterreturn.Elettersarehandwrittencorrespondence, scannedtoyourCampInTouchPortalfor yourreadingenjoyment!
Youcansendyourchildtocampwitha fewoftheseblankbarcodedsheets,you canprintthemathomebefore departure(directionsfortheeLetters canbefoundintheparentportal).
Asimpleruleofthumbis: Ifyouoryourchildwould beupsetifitwaslost, stolen,orbroken:please DON’Tsendittocamp.
Throughoutthesession,wesortthroughanddistribute labeledlostandfounditems.
Aftereachsession,themailroomidentifieslabeled itemsandreachesoutviaemailtoaskfamiliesifthe itemissomethingtheywanttopaytohaveshippedor haveitdonated.
Unlabeleditemsarekeptfor2weeksaftercampers leavebeforetheyaredonated.Ifyourealizeyouare missinganitem,pleasecontactourOjaiofficewitha description.
Socks,underwear,sheets,andtowelswillnotbe returned.
CampRamahinCaliforniaisnotresponsibleforthe loss,damageortheftofanypersonalbelongingswhile onsite,incamp,ontransportation,oronanovernight.
IfyourchildwillbecomeaB'naiMitzvahthisfall (Sept-Dec),campcanassignastaffmemberto provideaweeklyguidedreviewoftheirportion.We arenotabletoteachnewmaterial.Please completetheB’naiMitzvahtutoringforminthe portal. Pleaseensurethatyourchildbringsarecording andacopyoftheTorahportiontocamp,along withanyspecialinstructionsfromtheirtutor. WeliketosendgiftstoourB'naiMitzvahcampers tobepresentedbyyourcongregation’sRabbion theBar/BatMitzvahday.Pleasefillouttheonline formonCampInTouchsothatwecansendagift attheappropriatetime.
Inyourportalyouwillfindthetextofourage-specific“brithamachaneh”Ramah CommunityAgreementsthatwereviewwithcampersonopeningday,includingour CodeofSexualConductforTzadBetcampers.
CampRamahinCaliforniaisatitscore,aKehillahK’doshah(aholycommunity) basedonthevaluesofkavodha’briyot(respectforeveryindividual)andtovlev (lovingkindness) Belowarenormswefollowtoreflectthesevaluesthroughour actions:
Werespectthepropertyofothersandofourcampbynottaking,defacing, destroying,oralteringpropertythatdoesnotbelongtous.
Wefollowcamprulesandbehavioralexpectationsatalltimes,includingfulland timelyparticipationinpeulot(activities).
Werespecttherequestsanddirectionsofstaffmemberswhoseroleistokeepus allsafe.
Weagreetobewhereweareexpectedtobeontimeandtocommunicate otherwisewithourstaffintheinterestofsafety.
Wecontinuetotreatmembersofourcommunitywithrespectandkindness throughouttheyear,includingrespectfulinteractionswhiletextingandusingsocial media.
Wecommittobeing“unplugged”atcampfromtechnologyandtoleavingcell phonesandotherprohibitedelectronicdevicesathome.
AtCampRamahinCA,wevieweachpersonasareflectionofGod Ourdiverse communityisanessentialpartofwhowearebecauseeverymemberofthe Ramahcommunityisofequalandsupremeworth
Wearewelcoming,weinviteotherstojoinusinplay,werespecteachothers’ bodiesandpersonalspace,andwetakecarenottoexclude,humiliate,orshow meannesstoothers.
Weacceptthatwemayeachmakemistakes,butthatwecanalllearnfromthese experiencesandpracticetheJewishvalueoft’shuvah(forgiveness) Weattempt togiveeachotherthebenefitofthedoubtwhenthereisadisagreement. Wearepartofaninclusivecommunityandwedonotexcludeothersormakefun ofanother’schallengesordifferences.
Wechooseourwordscarefullyandrefrainfromusinglanguagethatisoffensive, profane,ordisrespectfulinasexualnature Wemakeeffortstoavoidlashonharah (gossip).
Wecometocampwithapositiveattitudeandbringourcuriosityforexploringour Judaisminthecampcommunity,whichmayincludetryingoutnewJewish practices.
AtCampRamahinCalifornia,safeandsuccessfulsummersarebuiltonthetrust andpartnershipdevelopedinadvanceofthesummerbetweenparentsandthe campprofessionalswhocareforyourchildren.Pleasehelpusdoourjobs effectivelybysharinginformationaboutanyofthefollowingtopics.Withholding suchinformationmaybegroundsfordismissalfromcamp.
Historyofsuicideattempt(s),gestures,orideation
Non-suicidalself-injuriousbehavior(e.g.cutting)
Medicalissues
Recentchangestomedicationincludingplanstostopmedicationforthe summer
Mentalhealthdiagnoses(e.g.ADHD,anxiety,depression,eatingdisorder, OCD)
Anyhospitalizationsforphysicaloremotionalreasons
Significantlifeeventsuchas:parentalseparationordivorce,loss,ortrauma Bed-wetting
Connectionwithamentalhealthproviderforemotionalorbehavioralsupport
Westrivetobalancetheneedsoftheindividualandthegroup,healthyrisktaking andsafety,tikkun(repair)andt’shuva(accountability),availableresourcesand neededresources.Weconsultwithincampandoutofcampexpertsinmaking theseimportantdecisions.CampRamahreservestherighttoaskthatachildat risktooneself,orthecommunity,bepickedupimmediately.
Ascaretakersofyourchild(ren),weare MandatedReportersofsuspectedchild abuse.Campstaffhavethelegallymandatedresponsibilitytoreporttothe DepartmentofChildandFamily Servicesanyindicationofabuse.The regulationsarespecificinthatseeingor hearingaboutsuspectedabuseMUST bereportedimmediatelywithoutour righttodoourowninvestigation.We encourageyoutoresearchCalifornia’s lawsaboutMANDATEDREPORTING.We arenotatlibertytodiscloseinformation aboutcallsmade.
Whilewedonotexpectperfection,wedoexpectallmembersofourcommunityto striveforgrowthandtobehaveinamannerconsistentwithourBritHaMachaneh. Ourgoalistohelpcamperslearnhowtobemembersofourcommunitywith supportandguidancewhennecessary Somebehaviornecessitatesimmediate dismissalandotherswillgenerallyfollowtheprocedurebelow.Inallcases,the discretionofCampleadershipwillbeutilized.
Madrichim(counselors)willbethefirstlineofinterventionwithcampers Theywillutilize collaborativeproblem-solvingtoaddresschallengesandnotifytheRoshEdah(unithead) andYoetz/et(parentliaison).
RoshEdahwillmeetwiththecamperandcounselortodecideonappropriatelogical consequences,suchasmakingamendsthroughanapologyletter,contributingtothe communitybycleaninganareaofcamp,ormissinganactivity Theyoetz/etwillworkwiththeRoshEdahtodecideonappropriateconsequencesand maymeetwiththecampertocreateaplanforcampersuccess.Thefamilywillbecalled andinformedofthebehaviors,consequences,andsuccessplan,ifapplicable.
CamperandRoshEdahwillmeetwiththeCampDirectororDirectorofCamperCare.The familywillbecalledandmadeawareoftheeventandnextsteps Dismissalfromcamp mayoccuratthediscretionoftheCampDirector.
IMMEDIATEDISMISSAL
Whilecampisaplaceforgrowth,certainbehaviorsthatputyourchildorothersatriskand mayresultinimmediatedismissalfromcamp
Possessionorconsumptionofalcohol,drugs,marijuanainanyform,ortobaccoproducts
Possessionofnon-prescribedlegaldrugs
Possessionoruseofe-cigarettes,vapepensorsimilardeviceswithorwithouttobaccoor marijuanaproducts
Consumptionorpossessionofprescribedorover-the-countermedicationwithouthealth centeroversight
Possessionofguns,knives,orweaponsofanykind
Leavingcamppropertywithoutproperauthorizationorleavingdesignatedareaswhile onout-of-campexcursions
Engaginginsexualintercourseororalsex
Purposefullyharmingothersatcamp,emotionallyorphysicallyincludingbutnotlimited tobullyingandhazing
Camperswhoaredismissedfromcampduetobehaviororbreakingofcamprules willreceivenorefundoftuitionorfees.Travelcostsincurredduetodismissalwillbe thefamily’sresponsibility.Ifacamperisdismissedforbehavioralconcerns,therewill beare-interviewprocesstodeterminewhethertheycanreturninasubsequent summer.Wevalueyourpartnershipandsupportinraisingthesecampersand buildingourvillage.
TheMarp(ourhealthcenter)isstaffed24/7withwell-qualifiedmedical, nursing,andsupportstaffon-site.Incaseofanemergency,the CommunityMemorialHospital-Ojaiisonlyminutesaway.Tomakesure thattheMarpstaffiswellpreparedtowelcomeandcareforallcampers, werequirenewmedicalformsbecompletedeachyearthatyourcamper attendscamp.Therequiredmedicaldocumentsinclude:thePhysician’s Examination,HealthHistory,ImmunizationForm,andHealthInsurance card.Allmedicalandhealthinformationmustbecompletedand submittedbytherequiredduedateforyourcampertoattendcamp.
PerHealthDepartmentandAmerican CampAssociationrequirements,every camperwillhaveahealthscreening,a headlicecheck,andareviewoftheir healthhistory.Wewillalsoreviewall medicationsthatthecamperwillbe takingwhileatcamp Thisisdone beforethecampersareallowedto moveintotheirtent/bunktounpack.
CampRamahinCalifornia,inconjunction withtheNationalRamahCommission, endorsetherequirementthatallcampers mustbecurrentwithallroutinechildhood immunizationsaccordingtothestandards oftheAmericanAcademyofPediatrics. PleaseseetheImmunizationPolicyin yourForms&Documentssectionformore information.
DTap: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella
IPV: Inactivated Polio Vaccine
HIB
Tetanus booster (commonly known as the Tdap vaccine) before 12 years old
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV-13)
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis A
Varicella: Chicken Pox
Meningococcal
Influenza annually
COVID booster
Allcampersandstaffwillbecheckedforlice uponarrivaltocampbyprofessionallice removalspecialists.
Iftreatmentisneeded,wewillcontactyouand yourcamperwillbetreatedattheMarp.
Theonlyexemptionsto immunizationsconsideredwillbe formedicallydocumented contraindicationstovaccinations, e.g.allergytoacomponentofa vaccine.AqualifiedMD/DOletter statingthenatureanddetailsofa truemedicalexemptionwillbe reviewed.Exemptionsbasedon personalorreligiouspreferencewill notbeaccepted.
Campersandstaffwillnotbeallowedtoenterlivingspaces(bunks/tents)until theyhavereceivedthefirsttreatment.Aftertreatment,thecamperorstaffwill returntoregularactivitiesuntilthenextlicetreatment.
Thetreatmentwillinclude2-3treatmentsoverseveraldays.Theproductsused areorganic,safe,andeffective.
Youwillreceiveachargeof$285percamperiftreatmentisneededanditwill bereflectedonyourinvoiceattheendofcamp.
Incaseofseriousinjuryormedicalconcern,wewillcontactthecamper’s parent/guardianoremergencycontactsimmediately
Wewillalsonotifyyou:
WhenacamperspendsthenightintheMarp-theparents/guardians willbecontactedbyanurseorphysician.Ifacamperisadmitted before10pm-theparent/guardianwillbenotifiedthesameday.Ifa camperisadmittedafter10pm-theparent/guardianwillbenotified thenextmorning,unlessitisamedicalemergency. Ifthephysiciandeterminesthataprescriptionmedicationisnecessary -youwillbenotifiedbyahealthcenterstaffmember Oncewereceive yourpermissiontoordertheprescription,wewillsendtheprescription toourlocalpharmacyandwillprovidethepharmacyphonenumber toarrangeforyourco-payment.
Ifyourcamperrequiresanx-rayorneedstobeseenbyalocal physicianoutsideofcamp-wewillnotifyyouforpermissionandto discussfurtherdetails.
PleasecontacttheMarpatanytimeduringcampifyouhaveanymedical/health questionsorconcerns.Thedirectphonenumberis805-272-3320.
Ifyourchildusesarescueinhaler,pleasesendtwo (labeled)withyourcamper.
DoNOTpackmedicationsinyourcamper’sluggage.All medicationswillbecheckedintotheMarpuponadmission.
AllallergiesshouldbelistedontheHealthHistoryForm
MedicationshouldNOT bepackedinyour camper’sluggage-all medicationswillbe checkedintotheMarp uponadmission
Pleaseletusknowifyourchildcarriesanepinephrineauto-injector(ex:Epi-Pen) foremergencytreatmentofalife-threateningallergicreaction.Pleaseinformus ifyourcamperisawareofhowtooperatetheepinephrineauto-injector.Ifyour childdoescarryanauto-injector,pleasesendtwotocampwithyourcamper. DoNOTpacktheauto-injectorsinyourcamper’sluggage.Pleasebesurethat yourcampercarriesthemontheirpersontotravel.Dependingonthenatureand severityofyourchild’sallergy,onemaybekeptinyourchild’sbunk/tent;the otherwillbekeptintheMarp
CampRamahisaNUT-FREEcommunity;however,wedoserveproductsthat aremadeinafacilitythatalsoprocessesnuts.
ThereisaselectionofGLUTEN-FREEfoodsavailableatallmealsforcampers whohaveaglutenallergy.Wealsohavespecialmealsforcamperswithceliac disease.Pleaseletusknowifyourcamperhasanyfoodrestrictionsonthe medicalform.
Asinpreviousyears,camperswilleitherregisterwithWellspringPharmacytosend medicationtocamp(forCaliforniaandArizonaresidents)orwillsendblisterpackedmedicationsdirectlytocamppriortoarrival(forcamperswholiveoutside ofCaliforniaandArizonaorhaveKaiserInsurance).
PleaseseetheCampMedicationInformationletterintheForms&Documents sectionofyourCampInTouchPortalforcompleteinstructionsonhowtoregisterfor Wellspringpharmacyandhowtoblisterpackandmailmedicationspriortothestart ofcamp
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,pleasereachouttoDr.AndreaKasowitz, MarpDirector,atandrea@ramah.org.Pleaseinformusofanychangesinyour child’smedicalconditionpriortothebeginningofcamp.
Allapplicationshaveanon-refundableapplicationfeeof$250,includedin theinitialdeposit
Ifyourchildisunabletoattendorneedstochangesessions,a Cancellation/ChangeRequestFormmustbecompleted.Pleaseemail ben@ramah.org
BeforeDecember31-fullrefundlesstheapplicationfee
BetweenJanuary1andApril1-$1,000cancellationfee
AfterApril1-norefundsprovided
Eachyeartherearecamperswho,duetopersonal,family,ormedical reasonsmustleavecampearly.Norefundwillbemadeforwithdrawals/ dismissalsthattakeplaceoncecamphasbegun.Weurgeyounotto“make deals”withyourchildto“tryitforawhile.”Suchpromisesoftenmakeit difficultforachildtoadjusttocampproperly.