2015 Investor Report

N I H A M S A E I R K C O TURE R U F E HE T H R FO T S R E E AD W GRO

ING

SH JEWI

L

CREATING JEWISH COMMUNITY FROM SUNUP TO SUNDOWN

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A NOTE FROM RABBI ELIAV BOCK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR As we enter the long “off season” after another transformative summer at Ramah in the Rockies, it is hard to believe how far we have come. Thinking back on the spring of 2010, our camp was only a dream. We maintained our cabin rosters with Post-it notes on the wall in our office. The boys’ names were written on blue pieces of paper, and the girls’ on pink. We had a few investors who gifted us some small seed funds and challenged us to go out and prove that there was a demand for a rustic Jewish camp where children would be disconnected from their electronics and plugged into the natural world around them.

Now, seven years later, we have shown that there is a huge and growing demand for a program like ours! We opened in 2010 with 117 campers and 25 staff. In 2015, we welcomed over 450 campers and 100 staff to our ranch! By the summer of 2016, we hope to have over 500 campers and our focus will shift from growing a camp to expanding our year-round program opportunities and further enhancing our summer sessions. Our incredible growth would not have been possible without generous supporters from our home community of Denver, Colorado and the numerous communities across North America and Israel from which we draw our campers.

I would like to extend a personal “Thank You” to everyone who has helped turn the dream of a rustic Jewish camp in the Rocky Mountains into a reality that is shaping the lives of hundreds of Jewish youth each summer!

MISSION The mission of Ramah Outdoor Adventure at Ramah in the Rockies is to provide outstanding outdoor adventure experiences that teach Jewish values and age appropriate leadership skills and influence the character development of youth. We do this through intense community building at basecamp and out on adventure trips.

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WE LIVE INTENTIONALLY AT RAMAH IN THE ROCKIES ACCORDING TO OUR ORGANIZATION’S CORE VALUES Jewish Learning

Hebrew

Campers will engage in Jewish learning on a daily basis, through the study of a range of texts, by experiencing powerful prayer and song sessions, and through meaningful discussions with campers and staff.

Campers will increase their knowledge of, and connection to, the Hebrew language. This will be accomplished through daily use of Hebrew by campers and staff, visual connections between Hebrew words and camp life, and a commitment to singing Hebrew songs.

Jewish Identity and Community

Campers’ enthusiasm as members of our camp community will expand to include their sense of belonging to the larger Jewish community. They will leave camp wanting to become more active in their home communities.

Appreciation for the Outdoors

Campers will practice leave no trace camping and work to minimize their ecological footprint because the natural beauty in this world is something to appreciate, to protect, and to preserve.

Tikkun Olam

Jewish Observance

Campers will make a greater commitment to halacha in and out of camp, as halacha is at the core of our people. Campers will be able to identify how practicing mitzvot impact their lives on a regular basis.

Developing a Relationship with the Divine

Campers will engage in conversations about God with staff and other campers, and campers will be able to thoughtfully communicate their view of the Divine.

Campers will perform acts of tikkun olam and engage in meaningful conversations about the origins and impact of tikkun olam, repairing of the world. Campers will leave camp with specific actions they can make in their own lives to continue this work at home.

Israel

Chalutzim will feel connected to the land and people of Israel, articulate how their lives are impacted by Israel and its citizens’ choices, and be able to engage in conversations about Israeli society.

A CAMPER’S TESTIMONIAL Ramah is not picture-perfect. Fallen trees lay like collapsed soldiers, with their charred cores that had been defeated by the Hayman fire. A rare treasure are the colorful wildflowers that, like much of the plant life, are recovering from the threat of their home. The buildings are far from glamorous with chipping paint and rotting wood. And yet, despite all of the imperfections, I, and many others, will forever call Ramah beautiful.... Ramah is beautiful because of what happens there. At ROA smiles are contagious, connecting to nature is inevitable, and many recognize God in the world in ways they never had....

I know that every year I return to my home-away-from-home where I can meet old friends and new-comers, I can greet the forest, and see the world in its best light. I know that every year I return to my home that a day won’t go by that cheering from the Ohel Ochel that can be heard on the basketball court, that a Shabbos will not pass without dancing, I know a day can’t pass that I won’t experience something new, or that the summer won’t go by without a competitive game of capture the flag. Because that moment when I step off the bus to join my friends I know the 11 months I was anxious to return to my family of friends were well spent because I am now where I belong. And every summer, after all hiking, rafting, climbing, painting, biking, hugging, singing, smiling, I return to my other family with tears in my eyes, marked up legs, and stories to share.

I chose to donate 10% of the money I had received for my bat mitzvah to Ramah because I know that it will go to many more summers of camp that many more campers can experience and know ROA the way I have. I chose to donate to Ramah because it has made me the person I am today. I chose to donate to Ramah because it is my family and my unofficial home.

I appreciate what you and the staff do at ROA more than I am able to put in to words.

Eller y Andersen (13 Years old)

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NAMING OPPORTUNITIES RANCH $3,500,000 Facilitate the long-term sustainability of Ramah in the Rockies. Invest in the purchase of our currently leased 360 acre ranch.

BEIT KESHER RETREAT CENTER FUNDED! Our retreat center offers common meeting spaces, kitchenette, lounging areas, guest rooms with private baths and showers. Perfect for off-season retreats!

HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER $800,000 New state-of-the art health facility to meet changing regulatory requirements for triage, isolation, sick care, and workspace / residence for wellness personnel.

NEW BATHHOUSE $350,000 FUNDED! Even on our rustic ranch, campers and staff need a clean and bright area in which to care for their personal hygiene.

EQUESTRIAN CENTER $250,000 FUNDED!

Upgraded barn, teaching area, corral, equipment, and stable to house 20 horses.

MOUNTAIN TRAILS $50,000 – $200,000 Dedicate a trail with personalized sign posts, inspiring campers to make it to the top.

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BASKETBALL COURT $100,000 We built our court in 2012, and it is one of the most popular places in camp. We want to name it after a passionate supporter of our community!

DINING AND KITCHEN $80,000 Help us improve our kitchen to meet the needs of our unique food program.

MEETING ROOM IN BEIT KESHER $50,000 ONE REMAINING!

Name our remaining, beautiful, new meeting room in honor of / in memory of / in celebration of a loved one.

BEIT KESHER GUEST ROOM $18,000 Choose your favorite mountain peak, ideally one from your home area. Campers and staff come from all over the world.

CAMPER TENT $15,000 – $25,000 Choose an inspirational quote or phrase to enrich the lives of our campers for generations to come.

OTHER NAMING OPPORTUNITIES Mezuzah $1,800 Pathway $5,000 Gaga-pit $10,000

2015-2016 DEVELOPMENT PLAN FA L L / W I N T E R 2 015 – 2 016 • Host successful virtual fundraising event & first alumni phone-athon.

• Secure funding for final tents, bathhouse & Phase I of the health center • Launch 18 / 180 / 1,800 drive to meet Grinspoon Foundation match • With active board involvement, develop new five year strategic plan • Actively engage previous donors who have not given in 2015 • Continue to live our culture of gratitude • Refine vision for “off season” program & secure funding to launch within 18 months

S PR I N G / S U M M E R 2 016 • Parlor meetings to raise awareness of our development needs • Identify & cultivate new board members to join team at August meeting • Plan for summer community day at camp • Welcome stakeholders to camp throughout season • Continue excellent communication with parents & stakeholders • Ground breaking for new infirmary

O U TC O M E S

• 85% donor retention year over year

• Meet all outstanding matching grant programs

• No child turned away from camp program due to inability to pay

• Provide a stellar model for integrity, gratitude & transparency in the non-profit sector

• $100,000+ raised for scholarships plus funds to finish construction of Phase I of the physical plant

• Realize an expanded board & fully functioning committee structure / members

• Have planning for year-round programing underway with definite opening date

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2 014 – 2 015

A s o f O c t o b e r 15 , 2 0 15

Waste Water System

We rely on your gifts — of ALL SIZES — to keep the MAGIC OF CAMP happening. We especially want to celebrate the new gifts pledged since the close of our 2014 summer season totaling over $1.4 million.

Fully funded: $440,000 3 new tents & new furnishings Fully funded: $75,000 New Sensory Tent for Tikvah program

2 015 – 2 016

Fully funded: $30,000 $100,000+ gifts

4 totaling $990,000

$10,000+ gifts

13 gifts totaling $249,000

$1,000+ gifts

60 totaling $145,000

$100+ gifts

159 totaling $48,000

$18+ gifts

88 totaling $4,500

$100,000 funded Need based scholarships Fully funded: $110,000

And WE ARE ALWAYS PLANNING AHEAD . . .

To reach financial sustainability, we must grow to 500 campers by 2016. To safely accommodate 500 campers each summer, we need to continue to raise funds: New Bathhouse $350,000 funded

New Health Center

Three Additional Camper Tents

Mortgage Payment for Camp

$700,000 remaining to raise

$75,000 remaining to raise

$110,000 remaining to raise

$100,000 funded

2 017+

Lease payment for camp

$0 funded

$0 funded

Need-based Scholarships

Infrastructure Improvements

$88,000 remaining to raise

$75,000 remaining to raise

$22,000 funded

$0 funded

Paying off our mortgage . . . $3.5 million to raise

THANK YOU

for helping us keep young Jews engaged in meaningful Jewish experiences!

NET OPERATING PROFIT 2015

($1,500)*

* first year of combined RR/ROA budget

($268,057)

2016

(projected)

$17,000

2014

($5,000)

2013

($35,249)

2012

($86,465)

2011

($140,614)

2010

CAMPER AND STAFF ENROLLMENT 700 Staff 600 Campers

110

500

105 95

400

85 60

300 40

200 25

100

281

203

343

395

500

459

118

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016 Projected

2014 VS 2015 OCCUPANCY RATE 2014 CAPACITY = 150 BEDS 2015 CAPACITY = 180 BEDS 120% 100% 80% 2 014 Occupany Rate

60% 93%

99%

95%

100%

103%

98%

40%

95%

87%

93%

2 015 Y TD Occupany Rate

72%

20%

Session IA

Session IB

Session IIA

Session IIB

Average Rate

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OUR CASE-STATEMENT Since opening in 2010 with 117 campers, Ramah in the Rockies has grown by 400%.

Over the past six years, our camper population has expanded to over 450 eight to seventeen year-olds. Our campers come from 30 states, plus Canada, Israel & Mexico, and represent a wide range of Jewish backgrounds. The camp’s goal is to accommodate over 500 campers each summer, meeting growing demand for its program and achieving financial sustainability.

Each year, Ramah in the Rockies has introduced new program initiatives ranging from archery to farming to rafting to backpacking to equestrian sports; educational projects that focus on protecting and sustaining the environment while embracing a healthy lifestyle; and young leadership enterprises such as JOLI (Jewish Outdoor Leadership Institute) that provide hands-on leadership training opportunities together with wilderness survival skills and environmental advocacy. In 2012, Ramah in the Rockies established a Tikvah program for children with disabilities, which promotes full integration of Tikvah campers into the camp’s inclusive community. This program served 30+ campers in the 2015 season.

Over the past six years, the camp leadership has raised over $5 million in capital support from generous regional and national funders, and has directed those funds to improving the camp site to accommodate rapid growth in camper population. There is no other example of a Jewish camp growing from 0 to 450+ campers with similar capital investments on such a primitive site. We are proud of our stewardship of donor dollars.

We have used philanthropic funds for key capital projects including installing a large required waste water treatment facility and expanding the camp’s physical facilities beyond what existed in 2009.

In order to continue accommodating our existing camp community and grow our camp by the final 50 campers needed to reach operational sustainability, Ramah in the Rockies must invest a final $1.5 million into our facility. The bulk of these funds will go towards building a new health center as well as a new toilet building.

The overwhelming success of the camp over the last six years and the exciting growth in enrollment underscores the enormous potential this camp offers in educating and inspiring young Jews in their formative years. With the help of our generous supporters, Ramah in the Rockies will be able to help train, inspire, and motivate the next generation of Jewish leaders.

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TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR RAVING FANS “I am so lucky to have two students […]who attended Ramah this summer. This will not be the first time I am teaching them but it is this year that I am lucky enough to experience their love of learning and maturity in a really authentic way. Whatever you are ‘feeding’ them at camp, it is the best Jewish nutrition they can get. They have both matured into such mensches and it is quite clear to [us] that camp had so much to do with it.”

Ora, California

“Just a quick note to thank you and all the counselors for creating such a meaningful camp experience. Theo had a fantastic summer at Ramah. He came home inspired, stronger, taller, eager to share stories about masa adventures, challenges conquered, new songs and valued friendships. We loved learning about the new tradition of the camp bracelets: commitment, trustworthiness, etc. Theo wears them all with pride.

He is already looking forward to next summer. Thanks again!”

Tajlei, New York

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“A huge thank you to Philip, Leah and Yonathan [Daniel’s counselors] from Daniel’s parents. We’re simply in awe of how you all create such an amazing feeling of community among the kids. Daniel loved his experience and said he feels close to the entire JOLI group. We feel he’s grown up a lot over the summer and greatly appreciate all that you gave to him and all the kids.”

Madi and Larr y, Indiana

“I want to tell you Rockies camp was the best thing that could have happened to Mikhael. The professionalism, dedication, quality of the people and the planning were exceptional. And I am not one to withhold criticism!”

Grace, Mar yland

“Ramah in the Rockies has been a wonderful place for our sons. I truly credit camp with contributing to my son’s confidence, maturity, Jewish neshamah and being able to find the best in others and appreciate that.”

Lisa, Wisconsin

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