We know that the world is in a constant state of change with new information unfolding almost daily. Amidst this unpredictability, we have crafted a simple philosophy to guide us and provide stability in planning and decision making for next summer. Our three pillars are:

Safety - Safety first, Ruach second. Safety is our guiding principle, followed closely by all the elements that make up our camp’s ruach (spirit). Keeping our chanichim (campers) and tzevet (staff) healthy and protected will guide us in making decisions for what we can and can’t do, and how we may need to adjust along the way. We will continue to work with our medical committee, our COVID-19 task force, and local and state governments to help guide our planning.

Essence - Our focus this summer is to GET KIDS TO CAMP - in one space, away from technology, and playing together. We won’t compromise our wonderful education and programming, but our primary focus and goal will be to maintain the ESSENCE of camp and togetherness.

Togetherness - We are stronger together. We are committed to keeping our community connected and keeping the spirit of Ramah alive. As we have done since March, we are thinking about how to give meaning to our families, campers, and staff during these difficult times, in a Ramah way.

In the event that we cannot safely operate our summer programming in 2021 and Ramah cancels prior to the beginning of summer sessions, families will be eligible for a full refund.

Should a family choose to cancel enrollment, refunds would be subject to our regular cancellation policy that can be found in the Terms & Conditions section of our online application.

Insurance is available for those families interested in purchasing. Click here for more information: https://programprotector.mhross.com/consumer/portal/RAMA1752CA

Families will need to reapply for financial aid. We evaluate each year independently and we want to provide as much support as possible given any current situation your family may be facing.

More information is available on our Financial Assistance page. While first-year campers are still eligible for the One Happy Camper grant, the application will not roll over and thus you will need to complete the form again. Information and the application can be found here: https://jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper/

In addition to freezing our tuition at the 2020 level, we are offering a sibling discount of:
• $75 for your second child
• $100 for your third child
• $125 for your fourth child

Some campers might be eligible for our new Masah Incentive Grants. The Masah initiative provides a subsidy to Tzophim, Kochavim, and Machon (rising 9th-11th grade) campers, as well as 14-16-year-old Amitzim campers. This incentive is separate from our financial aid process; thus, it can provide support to a much broader range of our community. For more information please visit www.ramah.org/masah

If space remains, you can enroll now and rest assured that you have until March 8th, 2021 to withdraw or make changes without any penalty. As outlined in the Terms & Conditions section of our online application:
After March 8th, there is a $100 session change fee unless going from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
There is an $800 cancellation fee from 3/9/2021 to 5/1/2021.
There are no refunds after 5/1/2021. (as of 1/28/2021)

You should enroll your child based on the grade level they will enter in the fall of 2021. Our creative and talented camp staff are already working on ways to give campers a taste of special rituals and activities they may have missed last summer. However, our focus will be on having all of our Ramahniks continue on their journey by moving ahead according to their current grade. The chart below indicates the names of each edah (unit) based on grade level. Please note that Gesher is a 2-week program. All other programs are for 4 weeks.

Gesher Aleph & Gimmel - 3rd/4th	Sollelim - rising 8th grade
Nitzanim - rising 4th/5th grade	Tzophim - rising 9th grade
Giborei* - rising 6th grade	Kochavim - rising 10th grade
Adat Shalom - rising 7th grade	Machon - rising 11th grade
Amitzim - multiple grades, for campers with disabilities	Ezra - vocational program for young adults with disabilities

* For summer 2021 there will be a 2-week option for Nitzanim and Giborei age campers.

In place of offering 2-week sessions throughout the summer, we have limited our two-week sessions to the first two weeks of 1st session and the first two weeks of 2nd session. This change allows us to maintain a closed campus. We are also offering a 2-week Nitzanim program this kayitz just for rising 5th graders and a 2-week Giborei Yisrael option for rising 6th graders who lost their Gesher experience as a result of the cancellation of Kayitz (summer) 2020.

We’re so excited to have you join us for Kayitz (Summer) 2021! If space remains, you can start the enrollment process here: http://www.ramah.org/enroll!

Camp readiness is an important consideration in any summer and we know you may be wondering whether your child is ready for a first experience, or ready to make the shift from two to four weeks away. We know we currently can’t rely on practice sleep-overs or overnight school trips as indicators. However, there are many ways to assess how your child might adjust to a camp setting based on current information. Please reach out to Dr. Aviva Levine Jacobs, our Director of Camper Care & Staff Wellness, to arrange to speak about how to make the best determination for your child for Kayitz (summer) 2021.

Each summer, our staff prepare to acclimate first-time campers to the experience of being away from home and to support kids in making new friends and in leaving behind the digital world. They guide children and teens in their efforts to try out new skills as they stretch beyond their comfort zone. While we know that our campers have experienced disruption to their lives in countless ways, we are confident that the camp setting remains a place where kids can relax and have fun, connect with friends, explore Judaism, and feel a sense of belonging. We have an exceptional team of camper care professionals who will continue the work of meeting campers where they are at and partnering with parents to support a successful session at camp.