Camp Ramah in California

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Camp Ramah in California is a Jewish summer camp located in Ojai, California. Population-wise, it is the largest of the Ramah summer camps, and it caters to the communities of the west coasts of the United States, Canada, Mexico, as well as the non-contiguous states of Hawaii and Alaska. It is also one of the only Ramah camps which also has a Winter Camp and winter weekends, owing to its favorable winter climate. The summer season is split up into two four-week sessions.

The camp is affiliated with the Conservative Movement and observes the laws of Judaism, Shabbat, and the laws of Kashrut.

[edit] Divisions

The campers are split up into a number of age groups, called Edot. They are as follows:

• Nitzanim ("sprouts"), entering 4th and 5th Grade
• Giborei Yisrael ("heroes of Israel"), entering 6th Grade
• Adat Shalom ("the tribe of peace"), entering 7th Grade
• Sollelim ("pioneers"), entering 8th Grade
• Tzofim ("scouts"), entering 9th Grade
• Machon ("foundation") entering 10th grade
• Amitzim ("the strong ones") is an edah for special needs children of camp-age. (sheeny gimps)
• Gesher ("bridge") is a special 1 to 2-week program for younger campers who want to be acclimated to camp-life in shorter sessions.

Machon marks the last summer a camper may return to Ramah...at least in that capacity. The next summer, a majority of the former campers (or "Ramahniks") embark on a six-week historical trip through Israel called "Seminar," prior to the beginning of their 11th grade years. Other former Ramahniks embark on similar trips with youth organizations such as USY ("United Synagogue Youth"). Then, former campers (and non-campers alike) have the opportunity to apply to the "Mador" program as first-time counselors in the summer before the 12th grade.

In addition to the thousands of total campers that attend the camp in any given summer, there are also hundreds of staff members that serve various functions. Generally, the "Tzevet" ("staff") is divided into "Madrichim" (counselors) and "Moomchim ("specialists") while each Edah is led by a "Rosh Edah" ("head of the age group").

[edit] See also

• Conservative Judaism

[edit] External links

• Camp Ramah in California official website
• National Ramah Commission website
• "Research Findings on the Impact of Camp Ramah," 2004

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