Frequently
Asked Questions
about the Ramah Jerusalem Day Camp
Updated for Summer 2008
What's new for 2008?
Longer Day! For the first time, the Ramah Jerusalem Day Camp will offer a longer camp day. This means that instead of a 2 p.m. pickup, campers will have fun here with us until 3:30 p.m. every day except Friday. Our Friday schedule remains the same, with a 12:15 Oneg Shabbat (parents invited) and a 1 p.m. dismissal. Hot Lunch! Also beginning in 2008, we will offer our campers a hot lunch almost every day. The exceptions are Fridays and days with full-day excursions. On Fridays campers might want to bring an extra afternoon snack, and on full-day excursions, campers must bring a sack lunch. Hebrew! We are attempting a more "formal" informal Hebrew program for the summer of 2008. Stay tuned!
Who attends the Jerusalem Day Camp?
The camp is designed for English-speaking children entering Kindergarten
through ninth grade. (Minimum age: 5 years). Approximately 20-25% of our
campers are the children of English-speaking Israelis, while the remainder
come from the United States, Canada, and other English speaking countries.
Why can't my younger child come to camp? He or she is very
mature.
If your child will turn five on or before December 1, 2008 AND will be entering
kindergarten in the fall, please contact us to inquire about registration.
We regret that we cannot accommodate children who are younger than 5 years
old; neither do we have access to information about summer programs for
younger kids.
My child does not speak English well. Can he or she still
come to camp?
No, if your child is not fluent in English, he or she will not be able to
register for camp. The purpose of the camp is not to provide an English
immersion program for Israelis or others who would like to learn English,
but rather to provide a fun, stimulating environment for Israeli campers
who want to maintain their English abilities and for foreign campers who
want an authentic Israeli experience, but in English.
Where can I get information about programs for younger/older
children?
Ramah does not maintain a listing of other camps. However, every spring
the AACI (Association for Americans and Canadians in Israel) publishes a
comprehensive listing. Please contact them directly through their website,
info@aaci.org.il. In addition, Nefesh
b'Nefesh, an aliyah organization, maintains a database of camps on its website,
www.nbn.org.il.
How are campers divided into groups?
Campers are divided by grade. Each group includes both boys and girls. Based
on experience and to better meet the needs of our campers, we have changed
our groupings for 2008, as outlined here: Shevet Yehuda is for campers entering
kindergarten and first grade. Shevet Galil is now for campers entering second
and third grade. Shevet Golan is now for campers entering fourth and fifth
grades. Shevet Negev is now for campers entering grades six and seven. Shevet
Sharon is now for entering eighth and ninth graders. There is only one group
for each Shevet, but a larger Shevet might be split into two smaller groups
for some activities.
Will children in different groups see each other throughout
the day?
All campers have snack, lunch and swim together most days, so they see each
other often during the day. Campers also see each other more frequently
on some field trip days. Our oldest group (Sharon) does once weekly programming
for one of our younger groups (Yehuda or Galil), and we have a weekly all
camp program.
How early can I drop my child off in the morning, and what's
the latest I can pick him or her up?
Drop off begins at 7:50 a.m., and pick up continues until 3:40 p.m. Please
be on time in the morning, as our camp day begins promptly with announcements,
songs, and tefillah (morning prayers), and please be prompt at pick up in
the afternoon. Campers are usually at the pick up location by 3:25 p.m.
Campers must be signed in and out with their counselors.
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| Campers making illusion spinning tops at the Museum of Science -- in camp t-shirts, of course. |
My child needs more than one t-shirt because we don't have
access to a washing machine.
Each child receives one t-shirt free of charge. You can order additional
t-shirts on your child's registration form.
Does the camp provide transportation?
Transportation to camp is not provided. The camp is located directly on
a bus route (#22) from the center of town or Rehavia. It is within short
walking distance of three bus routes (#4/4A, 18, and #24), and of the following
neighborhoods: San Simon, Katamon, and Kiryat Shmuel. It is a short cab-ride
from Rehavia, Talbieh, the German Colony and Baka (among other neighborhoods).
For ideas regarding apartments to rent in Jerusalem for the summer you can
refer to: www.flathunting.com. Ramah does not maintain a listing of apartments.
If your child will be arriving at camp or departing from camp alone or with someone other than a parent/guardian, you must provide us with a signed note on or before the first day of camp.
Is the camp suitable for children from all Jewish backgrounds?
The camp is affiliated with the Masorti (Conservative) Movement, but both
campers and staff come from varied backgrounds and levels of observance,
from Orthodox to secular and everything in between. Our program, including
Tefillah (prayer services), is developed with this in mind. We aim to create
a pluralistic atmosphere, encouraging the understanding and respect of others.
Each day begins with a musical Tefillah in the Ramah spirit, using our own
Siddur. On Friday afternoons parents are invited to join their children
for an Oneg Shabbat (Joy of Shabbat) program. All activities at camp are
co-ed.
This year, camp does not conflict with the first nine days of Av, though the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz falls on Sunday July 20, marking the start of the Three Weeks before Tisha b'Av. Many people refrain from certain activities during this time. Campers/staff who prefer not to swim will have another appropriate activity available for them. Other camp activities, including music, dance, and sports, will continue as usual, as will field trips to various locations.
What about children with physical or developmental disabilities?
We are happy to speak to individual parents, assess situations, and offer
recommendations as to whether we can accommodate a particular child. Please
contact the Camp Director at melissa@ramah.co.il.
Can I send my children to Ramah's "Israeli Day Camp"?
Ramah's Hebrew-speaking day camp, which also takes place at the Goldstein
Youth Village, is designed for Israeli children entering 1st through 6th
grades. The camp is not only Hebrew-speaking, but "Israeli" in
culture, program and approach. It is not an appropriate "Hebrew immersion"
program for children from abroad who "know a little Hebrew" or
even go to a Jewish day school. If, however, your child is completely
fluent in Hebrew and is prepared to be in a totally Israeli, Hebrew-speaking
environment you may apply for him/her to be accepted to the Israeli Ramah
Camp. Please contact our office directly
for registration information for the Israeli (Hebrew) Day Camp. Information
will not be available until after Passover. Ramah Programs in Israel
reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of foreign residents
for the Hebrew-speaking camp.
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| Preparing a Biblical feast at Neot Kedumim |
FOOD AT CAMP
Is food provided by the camp kosher?
Yes. Camp provides a daily mid-morning snack of a roll and drink. Starting
in 2008, Ramah will provide a hot lunch daily (except on Fridays and some
field trip days), at which there is always a vegetarian option. Sometimes
counselors plan food-related activities for their group time, and in those
cases the food is kosher dairy or pareve. Food-related activities following
a meat lunch will be pareve, of course.
My child has a severe food allergy. What should I do?
Tell us about it. Remind your child to be vigilant about checking labels
before purchasing any snacks on field trips and asking about questionable
food in the cafeteria. Please send an epi-pen or other allergy medication
and request a medicine release form from the Camp Director.
We're here on vacation, and are staying in a hotel. Without a kitchen, I don't know what to send for field trip day lunches. Your hotel should be able to provide you with a mini-refrigerator, or be able to provide a box lunch for your children. A double-bagged Ziploc style bag, available at the supermarket and filled with ice from the hotel's ice machine, makes an impromptu ice pack.
Here are some suggestions for easy lunches for your children:
· Starkist Tuna Snackpaks are now available in Israel in three flavors:
salmon "pate," tuna "pate" and tuna "salad."
Each comes with crackers and a fork. No refrigeration necessary.
· Peanut butter, chocolate spread (the Israeli schoolchildren's staple),
halva spread, and even almond butter are available in supermarkets and/or
health food stores. No refrigeration necessary.
· If you have access to a refrigerator and can provide an ice pack
or frozen drink, cheese makes the basis of a good lunch. String cheese,
or Etzbaot (fingers), is available in most supermarkets, and pairs nicely
with whole grain crackers; all sorts of breads and cheeses make cheese sandwiches
anything but boring. Try individual puddings, yogurts, and gelatin snacks
for dessert.
Add a fruit from the produce aisle and maybe a small bag of chips or some
cookies, and your child will have a substantial, tasty lunch. A supermarket
is located near the entrance to the Jerusalem Day Camp.
What about water?
Ramah tries to ensure that children and staff drink a minimum of 1.5 liters
of water during camp each day. We recommend that older campers carry at
least 750ml of water, while younger campers should carry a 500 ml bottle,
which they can refill during the day. Please write your child's name in
permanent marker or nail polish on the PLASTIC part of the bottle, not the
paper wrapper.
The tap water in Jerusalem is safe to drink and tastes just fine. However, if your child will not drink the tap water in Israel, please send enough bottled water for the entire day (but know that your child will need to carry this water with him/her).
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Enjoying some free time at a local park after a
morning at the Museum of Science
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GENERAL CAMP QUESTIONS
Why does my child have to carry his/her things around all
day?
Ramah Jerusalem day campers enjoy days full of activities across our campus.
Campers have only a short walk from one activity to the next, and at each
location they are able to put their bags down in a spot that is both safeguarded
and easily accessible.
We have learned from experience that making sure campers have their bags with them throughout the day -- rather than in a central storage room -- means that their gear is always readily available to them, and has a much lower chance of being lost. Of course, it is best to keep your camper's bag as light as possible.
If your child has trouble carrying his or her bag, please send fewer or lighter items, and make sure that the bag isn't the culprit - some backpacks are pretty heavy when they are empty. Bags with wheels are useful for our youngest campers, but keep in mind that these bags are usually heavier than lightweight backpacks.
You might think about sending a small bottle of water or sunscreen instead of a larger one, a small towel instead of an adult sized one and lighter flip flops in place of heavier, bulkier water shoes.
Do not send swim gear on trip days unless we tell you otherwise. One days when we will return in time for swim, campers who have their swim gear in separate, marked plastic bags (such as a supermarket bag) will be able to leave them in a secure location at camp until we return.
Should my child bring money to camp to buy drinks/snacks?
We all know that kids like to buy themselves a treat when they're on a trip.
however, with experience as
our guide, we have designed the following guidelines:
Campers must bring no more than 20 shekels to use to purchase
a drink and/or snack during trip days. (This is ample money to purchase
an ice cream or candy bar and a soda or juice.) We usually will not have
time to visit gift shops. Likewise, We ask that when parents accompany their
children on certain family field trips, they refrain from spending more
than 20 shekels per person out of fairness to children whose parents could
not accompany them on these trips. Also, to avoid mix-ups, Counselors are
not permitted to hold money for their campers. so please be sure
that your child has a secure place to hold his/her money. These guidelines
help ensure that children do not lose large sums of money, and they ensure
that all campers have an opportunity to enjoy themselves during trips.
A note about kashrut and field trips: Not every food kiosk has a kosher certificate. Some do not have them because they are open on Shabbat; others serve both pizza and hot dogs, albeit separately. To avoid confusion, we recommend that campers stick to pre-packaged ice creams, candies, chips, and other snacks that are certified kosher, or cold drinks.
What is the camp schedule like?
Four-five days a week campers are on the Goldstein campus, where they participate
in specialist-led activities (arts & crafts, sports, drama, music, Israeli
dancing, etc.), group time and swim. On trip days (once or twice each week)
campers depart after Tefillah and usually return to Goldstein at the end
of the day. Our youngest campers have a rest period before or after lunch.
To see a sample daily schedule, click here.
What about organized sports?
Specialists and counselors teach Israeli children's sport games, such as
Mahanayim, Gaga, and Chaye Sarah, in addition to relay races, soccer, and
other games.When possible, our specialists and counselors use the basketball
and tennis facilities at the Chava for games and programs. Our younger campers
also enjoy parachute games.
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| Shevet Yehuda playing Parachute Games |
What kind of security arrangements are there on trips?
Security is always Ramah's top priority. The Goldstein Youth Village is
completely surrounded by a security fence, with guards at any open gate.
For all trips we adhere to the strict security policies established by Israel's
Ministry of Education governing field trips for public school children.
All trips are cleared in advance, and again just prior to the day's program,
with the appropriate authorities. All travel is by chartered bus and a guard
who is also a trained medic accompanies the group on all trips.
What about swimming?
Campers have approximately 45 minutes of free swim on most non-trip days.
There is no instructional swim. The Goldstein campus has two pools: a full
size pool and a shallower children's pool. The pools are indoors, with a
sliding glass wall and roof that opens to the outside. A swim test is held
for all new campers on Sundays. The pools are staffed by certified lifeguards
and counselors are in the pool with their campers, providing extra supervision.
Campers and staff who are uncomfortable with co-ed swimming are free to
wear a white t-shirt/nylon shorts over their swimsuits; campers who prefer
not to swim should have a note from their parents. This year, camp does
not conflict with the first nine days of Av, though the last two weeks of
camp are part of the Three Weeks between the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz
and Tisha b'Av. Campers/staff who prefer not to swim during that time will
have another appropriate activity.
Will my child learn Hebrew at camp?
Programming at the camp is done in English, but Hebrew is incorporated into
many activities and songs. Hebrew vocabulary and phrases are used and dialogue
with Hebrew speakers is encouraged, but familiarity rather than fluency
is the objective. In 2008, we are trying to build a stronger Hebrew program
through music and games.
What is the Leadership Program?
Shevet Sharon (entering grades 8 & 9) participates in a Manhigut (Leadership) Program. In addition to regular camp activities, this group is involved in planning and implementing special programming for the theme activities, and also spends some time working with younger groups as counselor (or specialist) assistants. The group volunteers once per week at a local nursing home, Beit Alicia.
What can we do while our kids are at camp?
There are several Jewish learning programs around the city that are open
to tourists. You might check out those offered by the Conservative
Yeshiva, Pardes, the Hartman
Institute, and Hebrew Union College.
Some of the field trips are open to parents and other family
members. We can't come on those trips, but would like to come on another
trip. Is that ok?
Trips marked "parents invited" are designed for the enjoyment
of all participants, regardless of age. Other programs may have limitations
of space or programming in which we cannot accomodate other participants.
We're happy to provide you with directions so that you can go on your own,
though.
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Counselor Hadas Vogelman working with tie dye (top
left); Music Specialist Ariel Tal teaching a Hebrew song (top right);
Art Specialist Netanya Hoffman leading sack races during Color War
(bottom left); Counselors Michael Amzallag and Danielle Tessler with
campers (bottom right).
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CAMP STAFF
What is the staff to camper ratio, and who are the staff?
The camp is supervised by a Director and an Assistant Director who each
have extensive experience and training in Informal Jewish Education, camping,
and education. The minimum counselor to camper ratio for our youngest campers
is 1: 6, and it does not exceed 1:10 for our oldest campers. Senior staff
members are post-army or are college students; junior staff members are
most often Israeli high school students who are entering at least 11th grade.
All staff members are Israeli residents who are fluent in English and conversant
in Hebrew and have had prior experience working with children, usually in
the framework of camp and/or youth movements. All counselors go through
an intensive training seminar prior to the beginning of the camp season
and participate fully in all camp activities throughout the summer. Specialists
have had experience working and teaching in their particular fields.
How do I apply to work in the Ramah Jerusalem Day Camp?
Our counselors and specialists are Israelis or foreigners who have spent
the entire previous academic year studying in Israel (and who take upon
themselves to acquire a work permit). Ramah does not provide housing or
a travel stipend for foreign applicants. If you qualify to be a counselor
(see also the answer to the previous question), please click to download
a staff application or a specialist
application. Following the pattern of most Israeli day camps, applications
will be processed starting approximately in March/April. We regret that
we do not accept candidates who reside outside of Israel.
Contact us for more information
Fax: (011-972)-2-679-2069
Tel. (011-972)-2-679-0243
Ramah Jerusalem Day Camp
POB 31709 Jerusalem 91316 ISRAEL
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