WELCOMELETTER
DearParents/Guardians,
Wehavebeenworkinghardatplanninganincrediblesummerandourstaffis superexcitedtoshowyouandyourcampertheresultsofthoseplans.Expectto reunitewitholdfriends,makenewones,revisityourfavoriteactivities,andexpand yourcampexperience.
Wesoappreciateyourpartnershipinmakingsurethatbothyourcamper(s),and allothercampers,haveagreatsummeratCampRamah.Thepoliciesand guidelinesinthishandbookaretheproductofourcommunity’svalues,feedback fromRamahparents/guardians,andourownconstantreflectionandreview.
Pleaseseethelimiteddirectorybelowforcontactinformationforboththecamp andthestaffwhocanhelpyouwithquestionsorconcernsregardingthesummer.
RabbiJoeMenashe CEO
Dr.AvivaLevineJacobs
AssociateDirector: CommunityCare
AriellaMossPeterseil CampDirector
MichalKogenKress AssistantCampDirector
CAMPER CARE TEAM
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.
PACKING GUIDELINES
Campiscasualand messy!Thepackinglist canbefoundonourwebsite.
ShabbatonFridayeveningsandSaturdaysarea bitnicer:khakipantsorshorts,casualdresses,or skirts.ThefourthandfinalFridaynightofeach sessionisWhiteShabbat.GesherAlephandGimmel don’tneedtopackWhiteShabbatclothing.
Shouldersandbacksneedtobecoveredbyeither sleevesorasweaterforallt’fillot(prayers).
Tallitandt’fillinarerequiredforallmalesand encouragedforfemalesoverB’naiMitzvahage.A hatorkippahisrequiredforallmalesduringmeals, t’fillot,andJewishlearning.Kippotarespecifically requiredfort’fillah.
Acceptableswimwear:1piece,tankini,orswim shorts(nospeedosorbikinis).Rashguardsare requiredatthepoolforallyoungercampers(2-6 grade).RashguardsarerequiredforALLCAMPERS onovernighttripswithwateractivities(e.g.beachor kayaking)soeverycampareshouldmakesureto packone(ortwo)!Short-sleevedorlong-sleeved.
Ourmantra:label,label,label.Astickerlabelwitha firstandlastnamehelpseveryoneidentifytheir belongings.
Save25%onyourorderatLabelDaddywiththe codeCampRamah
Clothingwithreferencestodrugs,alcohol,or profanityarenotpermittedatcamp.Pleasepack withyourchildrentopreventyourcamperfrom bringinginappropriateitemstoRamah.
TopTip
Evenwithlabels,things getlost(orbroken)Don’t packitifit’sexpensiveor wouldbeupsettingtolose orbreak.
TopTip
Don’tforgettopackred, blue,green,andyellowso you’rereadyfor whicheverMaccabiah teamyou’reonthis summer!
TRANSPORTATION
Thetransportationhandbookcanbe foundintheForms&Documents sectionoftheparentportalformore informationanddetailedupdates. Keepaneyeoutforyourluggagetags -theywillbemailedtoyou approximately3-4weeksbeforethe sessionstarts.
FOOD POLICY
Campisakosher&nut-freespace. Campersareprovidedwiththreehealthymealsandregularsnackseachday Campersorderitemsfromourcanteentwiceaweek(includedincampfees).
Campersshouldnotbringfoodwiththemto camp.Weaskforpartnershipinthisareaas adherencetothesepolicieshelpssetatoneof equityfromtheveryfirstday.Campersmay notreceivepackageswithanyfooditems.Any fooditemssenttocampwillbedonated.
*Campersmaybringsnacksforthebusorplane.Anysnacksnotfinishedontheride uptocampwillbesharedwiththebunkcommunally.Itemsthatdonotcontaina koshersymbol,ormaycontainnuts,willbedisposedofimmediately.
TECHNOLOGY GUIDELINES
Weareoneofthelastscreen-freespacesinkids'lives!Thisallows everyonetounplug,connectwithfriends,enjoytheoutdoors,andnotbe distractedbytheoutsideworld.
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.
KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CAMPER
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.
LOST & FOUND
Throughoutthesession,wesortthroughanddistribute labeledlostandfounditems.
Aftereachsession,themailroomidentifieslabeleditems andreachesoutviaemailtoaskfamiliesiftheitemis somethingtheywanttopaytohaveshippedorhaveit donated.
Unlabeleditemsarekeptfor2weeksaftercampers leavebeforetheyaredonated.Ifyourealizeyouare missinganitem,pleasecontactourOjaiofficewitha description.
Socks,underwear,sheets,andtowelswillnotbe returned.
CampRamahinCaliforniaisnotresponsibleforthe loss,damage,ortheftofanypersonalbelongingswhile onsite,incamp,ontransportation,oronanovernight.
B’NAI MITZVAH TUTORING
IfyourchildwillbecomeaB'naiMitzvahthisfall (Sept-Dec),Ramahcanassignastaffmemberto provideaweeklyguidedreviewoftheirportion.We arenotabletoteachnewmaterial.Please completetheB’naiMitzvahtutoringforminthe portal.
Pleaseensurethatyourchildbringsarecording andacopyoftheTorahportiontocamp,along withanyspecialinstructionsfromtheirtutor.
WeliketosendgiftstoourB'naiMitzvahcampers tobepresentedbyyourcongregation’sRabbion theB’naiMitzvahday.Pleasefillouttheonlineform onCampInTouchsothatwecansendagiftatthe appropriatetime.
COMMUNAL NORMS: SAFEGUARDING
OUR KEHILLAH (COMMUNITY)
Inyourportalyouwillfindthetextofourage-specific“brithamachaneh”Ramah CommunityAgreementsthatwereviewwithcampersonopeningday,includingour CodeofSexualConductforTzadBetcampers.
CampRamahinCaliforniaisatitscoreaKehillahK’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
B’TZELEM ELOHIM / IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
AtCampRamahinCalifornia,wevieweachpersonasareflectionofGod.Our diversecommunityisanessentialpartofwhowearebecauseeverymemberof theRamahcommunityisofequalandsupremeworth.
Wearewelcoming,weinviteotherstojoinusinplay,werespecteachothers’ bodiesandpersonalspace,andwetakecarenottoexclude,humiliate,orshow meannesstoothers.
Weacceptthatwemayeachmakemistakes,butthatwecanalllearnfromthese experiencesandpracticetheJewishvalueoft’shuvah(forgiveness).Weattempt togiveeachotherthebenefitofthedoubtwhenthereisadisagreement
Wearepartofaninclusivecommunityandwedonotexcludeothersormakefun ofanother’schallengesordifferences
Wechooseourwordscarefullyandrefrainfromusinglanguagethatisoffensive, profane,ordisrespectfulinasexualnature.Wemakeeffortstoavoidlashonhara (gossip)
Wecometocampwithapositiveattitudeandbringourcuriosityforexploringour Judaisminthecampcommunity,whichmayincludetryingoutnewJewish practices.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
AtCampRamahinCalifornia,safeandsuccessfulsummersarebuiltonthetrustand partnershipdevelopedinadvanceofthesummerbetweenparentsandthecamp professionalswhocareforyourchildren.Pleasehelpusdoourjobseffectivelyby sharinginformationaboutanyofthefollowingtopics.Withholdingsuchinformation maybegroundsfordismissalfromcamp.
Historyofsuicideattempt(s),gestures,orideation
Non-suicidalself-injuriousbehavior(e.g.cutting)
Medicalissues
Recentchangestomedicationincludingplanstostopmedicationforthesummer Mentalhealthdiagnoses(e.g.ADHD,anxiety,depression,eatingdisorder,OCD)
Anyhospitalizationsforphysicaloremotionalreasons
Significantlifeeventsuchas:parentalseparationordivorce,loss,ortrauma
Bed-wetting
Connectionwithamentalhealthproviderforemotionalorbehavioralsupport
Westrivetobalancetheneedsoftheindividualandthegroup,healthyrisktakingand safety,tikkun(repair)andt’shuva(accountability),availableresourcesandneeded resources.Weconsultwithexpertsbothincampandoutofcampwhenmakingthese importantdecisions.CampRamahreservestherighttoaskthatachildatriskto oneselfortothecommunity,bepickedupimmediately.
Ascaretakersofyourchild(ren),weareMandatedReportersofsuspectedchildabuse. CampstaffhavethelegallymandatedresponsibilitytoreporttotheDepartmentof ChildandFamilyServicesanyindicationofabuse.Theregulationsarespecificinthat seeingorhearingaboutsuspectedabuseMUSTbereportedimmediatelywithoutour righttodoourowninvestigation.WeencourageyoutoresearchCalifornia’slawsabout MANDATEDREPORTING.Wearenotatlibertytodiscloseinformationaboutcallsmade.
OUR APPROACH
Whilewedonotexpectperfection,wedoexpectallmembersofourcommunityto striveforgrowthandtobehaveinamannerconsistentwithourBritHaMachaneh. Ourgoalistohelpcamperslearnhowtobemembersofourcommunitywith supportandguidancewhennecessary.Somebehaviornecessitatesimmediate dismissalandotherswillgenerallyfollowtheprocedurebelow.Inallcases,the discretionofRamahleadershipwillbeutilized.
1STINTERVENTION
Madrichim(counselors)willbethefirstlineofinterventionwithcampers Theywillutilize collaborativeproblem-solvingtoaddresschallengesandnotifytheRoshEdah(unithead) andYoetz/et(parentliaison).
2NDINTERVENTION
RoshEdahwillmeetwiththecamperandcounselortodecideonappropriatelogical consequences,suchasmakingamendsthroughanapologyletter,contributingtothe communitybycleaninganareaofcamp,ormissinganactivity. Theyoetz/etwillworkwiththeRoshEdahtodecideonappropriateconsequencesand maymeetwiththecampertocreateaplanforcampersuccess.Thefamilywillbecalled andinformedofthebehaviors,consequences,andsuccessplan,ifapplicable
3RDINTERVENTION
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,emotionallyorphysically,includingbutnotlimited tobullyingandhazing
Camperswhoaredismissedfromcampduetobehaviororbreakingofcamprules willreceivenorefundoftuitionorfees.Travelcostsincurredduetodismissalwillbe thefamily’sresponsibility.Ifacamperisdismissedforbehavioralconcerns,therewill beare-interviewprocesstodeterminewhethertheycanreturninasubsequent summer.Wevalueyourpartnershipandsupportinraisingthesecampersand buildingourvillage.
HEALTHCARE
TheMarp(ourhealthcenter)isstaffed24/7withwell-qualifiedmedical, nursing,andsupportstaffon-site.Incaseofanemergency,Community MemorialHospital-Ojaiisonlyminutesaway.TomakesurethattheMarp staffiswellpreparedtowelcomeandcareforallcampers,werequire newmedicalformsbecompletedeachyearthatyourcamperattends camp Therequiredmedicaldocumentsinclude:thePhysician’s Examination,HealthHistory,ImmunizationForm,andHealthInsurance card.Allmedicalandhealthinformationmustbecompletedand submittedbytherequiredduedateforyourcampertoattendcamp.
ARRIVALTOCAMP
PerHealthDepartmentandAmericanCampAssociationrequirements,every camperwillhaveahealthscreening,aheadlicecheck,andareviewoftheirhealth history.Wewillalsoreviewallmedicationsthatthecamperwillbetakingwhileat camp.Thisisdonebeforethecampersareallowedtomoveintotheirtent/bunkto unpack.
IMMUNIZATIONS
CampRamahinCalifornia,inconjunctionwiththeNationalRamahCommission, endorsestherequirementthatallcampersmustbecurrentwithallroutine childhoodimmunizationsaccordingtothestandardsoftheAmericanAcademyof Pediatrics.PleaseseetheImmunizationPolicyinyourForms&Documentssection formoreinformation.
REQUIREDIMMUNIZATIONS
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
SUGGESTEDIMMUNIZATIONS
Influenza annually
COVID booster
HEADLICE
Allcampersandstaffwillbecheckedforlice uponarrivaltocampbyprofessionallice removalspecialists
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV-13)
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis A
Varicella: Chicken Pox
Meningococcal
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 before10pmtheparent/guardianwillbenotifiedthesameday.Ifa camperisadmittedafter10pmtheparent/guardianwillbenotifiedthe nextmorning,unlessitisamedicalemergency. Ifthephysiciandeterminesthataprescriptionmedicationis necessaryyouwillbenotifiedbyahealthcenterstaffmember.Once wereceiveyourpermissiontoordertheprescription,wewillsendthe prescriptiontoourlocalpharmacyandwillprovidethepharmacy phonenumbertoarrangeforyourco-payment. Ifyourcamperrequiresanx-rayorneedstobeseenbyalocal physicianoutsideofcampwewillnotifyyouforpermissionandto discussfurtherdetails.
PleasecontacttheMarpatanytimeduringcampifyouhaveanymedical/health questionsorconcerns.Thedirectphonenumberis805-272-3320.
CAMPERSWITHASTHMA
Ifyourchildusesarescueinhaler,pleasesendtwo (labeled)withyourcamper.
DoNOTpackmedicationsinyourcamper’sluggage.All medicationswillbecheckedintotheMarpuponadmission.
CAMPERSWITHALLERGIES
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.
MEDICATIONINSTRUCTIONS
Asinpreviousyears,camperswilleitherregisterwithWellspringPharmacytosend medicationtocamp(forCaliforniaandArizonaresidents)orwillsendblisterpackedmedicationsdirectlytocamppriortoarrival(forcamperswholiveoutside ofCaliforniaandArizonaorhaveKaiserInsurance).
PleaseseetheCampMedicationInformationletterintheForms&Documents sectionofyourCampInTouchPortalforcompleteinstructionsonhowtoregisterfor Wellspringpharmacyandhowtoblisterpackandmailmedicationspriortothestart ofcamp.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,pleasecontactKristinaCalamia,Marp Manager,atkristinac@ramah.org.Pleaseinformusofanychangesinyourchild’s medicalconditionpriortothebeginningofcamp.
CANCELLATION / EARLY DEPARTURE POLICY
CANCELLATIONPOLICY
Allapplicationshaveanon-refundableapplicationfeeof$250,includedin theinitialdeposit
Ifyourchildisunabletoattendorneedstochangesessions,a Cancellation/ChangeRequestFormmustbecompleted.Pleaseemail ben@ramah.org
BeforeDecember31:fullrefundlesstheapplicationfee
BetweenJanuary1andApril1:$1,000cancellationfee
AfterApril1:norefundsprovided
WITHDRAWAL/DISMISSALFROMCAMP
Eachyeartherearecamperswho,duetopersonal,family,ormedical reasonsmustleavecampearly.Norefundwillbemadeforwithdrawals/ dismissalsthattakeplaceoncecamphasbegun.Weurgeyounotto“make deals”withyourchildto“tryitforawhile.”Suchpromisesoftenmakeit difficultforachildtoadjusttocampproperly.
