CAMPER CARE TEAM
Weareincrediblyproudofour exceptionalcampercareteam, whoworkcloselywithour campers,staff,andparents.
Eachagegroup,oredah,hasa yoetzoryoetzet(CamperCare teammember)assignedto them.Thisteammember interactswithyourchildeach day,guidingcounselorsand staffwhileservingasa communicationlinkbetween parentsandcamp.
Onthefirstdayofcamp,youwill receivethenameandemail addressofyourcamper's yoetz/yoetzet,soyoucanreach outdirectlyifneeded.Atcamp, wefollowthemotto"nonewsis goodnews."Ifanythingdoes arise,wewillreachouttoyou promptly,butunlessyouhear fromus,youcanassumeallis well.
Ifyouhavespecificquestions aboutyourcamperduringthe session,feelfreetoemailyour child'syoetz/yoetzetorcallour campofficebetween8:30AM and5:30PM.
PACKING GUIDELINES
Campiscasualandmessy!Packaccordingly. Label,label,label.Astickerlabelwithafirstandlast nameisbest!Youcansave25%onyourorder atLabelDaddywithcodeRamah
ForFridaynightandShabbatmorning,abitnicerbutstillcampy: Khakipants/shorts,casualdresses/skirts.Shoulders/backsneedtobe coveredfort’fillot(prayers).ThefinalFridaynightofeachsessionisWhite Shabbat.*GesherAleph&Gimmeldon’tneedtopackforthis.
Kippot,tallit,&t’fillin:Kippot arerequiredformalecampersduring t’fillah.Ahatorkippah isrequiredforallboysduringmealsandJewish learning.Tallit&t’fillinarerequiredforallmalesoverB’naiMitzvahage. Girlsareencouragedtoparticipate,too.
Acceptableswimwearguidelines:One-pieceswimsuits,tankinis,orswim shorts.(NobikinisorSpeedos.)
Rashguards: Everycampershouldpack1-2rashguards.Allcampers wearthemforovernighttripswithwateractivities.Campersingrades2-7 arerequiredtowearthematthepool,too.
Laundry:ProvidedonceforGesherandtwicefor4-weekcampers.
Bedding:Sheets,blanket,andapillowarerequired,asisanoutdoor sleepingbag.
Lost&found:Wedistributelabeleditemsthroughoutcamp.Aftereach session,weaskfamiliesiftheywanttocovertheshippingtohavelabeled itemsreturned.Unlabeleditemsarekeptfor2weeks,thendonated.Ifyou aremissinganitem,contactourOjaiofficewithadescription.
Clothingwithreferencestodrugs,alcohol,orprofanityisnotpermitted. Pleasepackwithyourchildtoensurethesedonotcometocamp.
**CampRamahinCaliforniaisnotresponsiblefortheloss,damage,or theftofanyp lb l i hil it i ntransportation, oronanovern
Shabbat
PACKING LIST
1pairofshoesforpo hower
TOILETRIES
Toothbrush,toothpaste,floss
Soap,shampoo,andconditioner
Deodorant
Femininehygieneproducts
Sunscreen(SPF30orhigher)
Bugspray
Chapstickandmoisturizinglotion
Comb/brushandhairties
Showertote
LINENS
2setsoftwin-sizesheets(required!)
1-2blankets/lightcomforter
1pillowand2pillowcases
1sleepingbag(foroutdooruseonly)
2bathtowels,washcloths
2pooltowels
1laundrybag
**Basedonfrequencyoflaundryservice,2-weekand4-week campersneedthesameamountofclothing.
TRANSPORTATION FOOD POLICY
TheTransportationHandbookcanbe foundintheForms&Documents sectionoftheparentportalformore informationanddetailedupdates.
Keepaneyeoutforyourluggagetagstheywillbemailedtoyou approximately3-4weeksbeforethe sessionstarts.
Campisakosher&nut-freespace
Campersareprovidedwiththreemealsandregularsnackseachday. Campersorderitemsfromourcanteen(includedincampfees).
Campersshouldnotbringfoodwiththemtocamp.We askforpartnershipinthisareaasadherencetothese policieshelpssetatoneofequityfromtheveryfirstday.
Campersmaynotreceivepackageswithanyfood items.Anyfooditemssenttocampwillbedonated.
TECHNOLOGY GUIDELINES
Weareproudtobeoneofthelastscreen-freespacesinkids’lives!This givescampersthechancetounplug,connectwithfriends,enjoythe outdoors,andbefullypresentwithoutdistractionsfromtheoutsideworld
Whatcampersmaybring:
E-readers/Kindleswithoutinternetbrowsing
Inexpensivedigitalcameras
“Old-fashioned”MP3players(filesuploadedviacomputer,not wirelessly)
Whatmuststayathome:
Anydevicewithinternetorcellularaccess(includingcellphones even withoutaSIMcard,iPads,smartwatches,andiPods)
Specialnotefortravel:
Ifyourchildisflyingandyouprefertheytravelwithaphone,itwillbe collectedonthefirstday,storedsafelyintheoffice,andreturnedattheend ofthesession.
Important:Confiscatedphonesorotherprohibiteddeviceswillbesent homeatthefamily’sexpense.
KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CAMPER
Mail:
Nothingbeatsreceivingahandwritten letterorpostcard,andwritingthemis agreatskillforkidstodevelop(and createsagreatkeepsake!)
Wesuggestsendingpre-addressed& stampedenvelopeswithyourcamper tomakeiteasier!
Onthefirstdayofcamp,youwill receiveyourchild’sbunkortentinfo withinstructionsonhowtoaddress letters.
PackagePolicy:
Pleaseonlysendletters orpostcardsrequiring nomorethanafirst-classstamp. Shouldyouforgettopackan importantitem, contactyour Yoetzet/CamperCareTeam membertoarrangeshipping.
DownloadCampanion&connect withyourcamperslikeneverbefore!
Sendallmailto:
*Ifyouchoosetosendmailaheadof time,pleaseincludeyourchild’s edahinplaceofbunk/tent#
Email(forspeedier communication):
Youcanemailyourchildthrough theCampInTouchPortalor Campanionapp.
Mailandemailaredistributeddaily (exceptonShabbat)afterlunch duringmenucha(resthour). Youcanrequestane-letterreturn. E-lettersarehandwritten correspondence,scannedtoyour CampInTouchPortalforyour readingenjoyment!Youcaneven sendafewoftheseblankbarcoded sheetstocampwithyourcamper! Readmoreaboutthisprocesshere!
COMMUNAL NORMS: SAFEGUARDING
OUR KEHILLAH (COMMUNITY)
Inyourportal,youwillfindourage-specificBritHamachaneh(Community Agreement).Wereviewthiswithcampersonopeningday,includingtheCodeof SexualConductforTzadBetandGimmelcampers(grades7-11).
Atitscore,CampRamahinCaliforniaisaKehillahK’doshah(holycommunity).Our communityisbuiltonthevaluesofkavodha’briyot(respectforeveryindividual)and tovlev(lovingkindness).Toliveoutthesevalues,wecommittothefollowingnorms:
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 & PARTNERSHIP
AtCampRamahinCalifornia,safeandsuccessfulsummersarebuiltontrustand partnershipbetweenfamiliesandourcampteam.Tobestcareforyourchildren,we needtoknowanyinformationthatmayaffecttheirhealth,safety,orwell-beingat camp.Pleasesharewithusifyourchildhasexperiencedanyofthefollowing:
Historyofsuicideattempt(s),suicidalthoughts,orself-harmgestures
Non-suicidalself-injury(e.g.,cutting)
Medicalconditionsorconcerns
Recentorupcomingchangesinmedication,includingplanstostopmedication duringthesummer
Mentalhealthdiagnoses(eg,ADHD,anxiety,depression,eatingdisorder,OCD)
Anyhospitalizationsforphysicaloremotionalreasons
Significantlifeevent(e.g.,parentalseparationordivorce,loss,trauma)
Bed-wetting
Connectionwithamentalhealthproviderforemotionalorbehavioralsupport
Sharingthisinformationallowsustosupportyourchildandthecampcommunity. Withholdinginformationmayjeopardizeyourchild’ssafetyandcouldbegroundsfor dismissalfromcamp.
Weaimtobalancetheneedsofeachindividualcamperwiththoseofthe community,encouragehealthyrisk-takingwhileprioritizingsafety,andprovide supportwithinouravailableresources.Weconsultwithprofessionalsbothinand outsideofcampwhenmakingimportantdecisions.Pleasenote:CampRamah reservestherighttorequirethatachildwhoposesarisktothemselvesortothe communitybepickedupimmediately.
Ascaretakersofyourchildren,wearealsomandatedreporters.Californialaw requirescampstafftoimmediatelyreportanysuspicionofchildabusetothe DepartmentofChildandFamilyServices.Wearenotpermittedtoconductourown investigation,andwecannotdiscloseinformationaboutanyreportthatismade.For moreinformation,weencourageyoutoreviewCalifornia’smandatedreportinglaws.
1STINTERVENTION
Madrichim(counselors)willbethefirstlineofinterventionwithcampers Theywillutilize collaborativeproblem-solvingtoaddresschallengesandnotifytheRoshEdah(unithead) andYoetz/et(campercareteammember)
2NDINTERVENTION
RoshEdahwillmeetwiththecamperandcounselortodecideonappropriatelogical consequences,suchasmakingamendsthroughanapologyletter,contributingtothe communitybycleaninganareaofcamp,ormissinganactivity.
Theyoetz/etwillworkwiththeRoshEdahtodecideonappropriateconsequencesand maymeetwiththecampertocreateaplanforcampersuccess Thefamilywillbecalled andinformedofthebehaviors,consequences,andsuccessplan,ifapplicable.
3RDINTERVENTION
CamperandRoshEdahwillmeetwiththeCampDirectororDirectorofCamperCare.The familywillbecalledandmadeawareoftheeventandnextsteps.Dismissalfromcamp mayoccuratthediscretionoftheCampDirector.
IMMEDIATEDISMISSAL
Thefollowingactionsputyourchildand/orthecommunityatriskandmayresultin immediatedismissalfromcamp:
Possessionoruseofalcohol,drugs,marijuana(inanyform),ortobaccoproducts
Possessionofnon-prescribedlegaldrugs
Possessionoruseofe-cigarettes,vapepens,orsimilardevices(withorwithout tobacco/marijuana)
Takingprescriptionorover-the-countermedicationwithoutHealthCenteroversight
Possessionofguns,knives,orweaponsofanykind
Leavingcamppropertywithoutproperauthorization,orleavingdesignatedareasduring out-of-camptrips
Engaginginsexualintercourseororalsex
Purposefullyharmingothers,emotionallyorphysically(includingbullyingorhazing)
HEALTHCARE
Themarp(healthcenter)isstaffed24/7withqualifieddoctors,nurses,andsupport staffon-site Inthecaseofanemergency,CommunityMemorialHospital-Ojaiis onlyminutesaway.
Toensureourhealthcenterstaffispreparedtowelcomeandcareforallcampers, werequirenewmedicalformstobecompletedeachyearthatyourcamperattends camp.Therequiredmedicaldocumentsinclude:thePhysician’sExamination,Health History,ImmunizationForm,andHealthInsurancecard. Allmedicalandhealthinformationmustbecompletedandsubmittedbythe requiredduedateforyourcampertoattend.
ARRIVALTOCAMP
PerHealthDepartmentandAmericanCampAssociationrequirements,every camperwillhaveahealthscreening,aheadlicecheck,andareviewoftheirhealth history.Wewillalsoreviewallmedicationsthatthecamperwillbetaking.Thisis donebeforethecampermovesintotheirtent/bunktounpack.
IMMUNIZATIONS
CampRamahinCaliforniaremainscommittedtothehealthandsafetyofour communities.Allcampers,staff,andfamilymembersofstaffwhoattendanyRamah camporprogrammustbevaccinatedinaccordancewiththe2025American AcademyofPediatrics'"RecommendedChildandAdolescentImmunization ScheduleforAges18YearsorYounger,"asmayberevisedfromtimetotime.Please seetheImmunizationPolicyinyourForms&Documentssectionformore information.
REQUIREDIMMUNIZATIONS
SUGGESTEDIMMUNIZATIONS
HEADLICE
Allcampersandstaffwillbecheckedfor liceuponarrivaltocampbyprofessionallice 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$285percamperiftreatmentisneededanditwillbe reflectedonyourinvoiceattheendofcamp.
REQUIREDIMMUNIZATIONS
SUGGESTEDIMMUNIZATIONS
HEADLICE
Allcampersandstaffwillbecheckedfor liceuponarrivaltocampbyprofessionallice 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$285percamperiftreatmentisneededanditwillbe reflectedonyourinvoiceattheendofcamp.
WITHPARENTS/GUARDIANS
Incaseofseriousinjuryormedicalconcern,wewillcontactthecamper’s parent/guardianoremergencycontactsimmediately.
Ourhealthcenterstaffwillalsonotifyyouif:
Yourcamperspendsthenightinthemarp.Ifacamperisadmitted before10:00pm,theparent/guardianwillbenotifiedthesameday.Ifa camperisadmittedafter10:00pm,theparent/guardianwillbenotified thenextmorning,unlessitisamedicalemergency. Thephysiciandeterminesthataprescriptionmedicationisnecessary. Oncewereceiveyourpermissiontoordertheprescription,wewillsend theprescriptiontoourlocalpharmacyandprovideyouwiththe pharmacy’sphonenumbertoarrangeforyourco-payment
YourcamperrequiresanX-rayorneedstobeseenbyalocal physicianoutsideofcamp.Wewillnotifyyouforpermissionandto discussfurtherdetails.
Pleasecontactthehealthcenteratanytimeduringcampifyouhaveany medical/healthquestionsorconcerns.
Thedirectphonenumberis805-272-3320.
CAMPERSWITHASTHMA
Ifyourchildusesarescueinhaler,pleasesendtwo labeledwithyourcamper’sname.
DoNOTpackmedicationinyourcamper’sluggage.All medicationmustbecheckedintothemarpuponarrival.
CAMPERSWITHALLERGIES
AllallergiesshouldbelistedontheHealthHistoryForm. 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 aremadeinfacilitiesthatalsoprocessnuts.
ThereisaselectionofGLUTEN-FREEfoodsavailableatallmealsforcampers whohaveaglutenallergy.Wealsohavespecialmealsforcamperswithceliac disease.Pleaseletusknowifyourcamperhasanyfoodrestrictionsonthe medicalform.
MEDICATIONINSTRUCTIONS
Asinpreviousyears,camperswilleitherregisterwithWellspringPharmacyto sendmedicationtocamp(forCaliforniaandArizonaresidents)orwillsend blister-packedmedicationsdirectlytocamppriortoarrival(forcamperswho liveoutsideofCaliforniaandArizonaorhaveKaiserInsurance).
PleaseseetheCampMedicationInformationletterintheForms&Documents sectionofyourCampInTouchPortalforcompleteinstructionsonhowtoregister forWellspringPharmacyandhowtoblisterpackandmailmedicationsbefore thestartofcamp.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,pleasecontactKristinaCalamia,Health CenterManager,atkristinac@ramah.org.Pleaseinformusofanychangesin yourchild’smedicalconditionpriortothebeginningofcamp.
CANCELLATION & EARLY DEPARTURE POLICIES
CANCELLATIONPOLICY
Allapplicationshaveanon-refundableapplicationfeeof$300, includedintheinitialdeposit
Ifyourchildisunabletoattendorneedstochangesessions,a Cancellation/ChangeRequestFormmustbecompleted.Pleaseemail ben@ramah.org
BeforeDecember31:fullrefundlesstheapplicationfee
January1-April1:$1,200cancellationfee
AfterApril1:weareunabletoproviderefunds
WITHDRAWAL/ DISMISSALFROMCAMP
Eachyeartherearecamperswho,duetopersonal, family,ormedicalreasons,mustleavecampearly. Norefundwillbemadeforwithdrawals/dismissals thattakeplaceoncecamphasbegun
