Summer 2020 Resources

Camp Ramah in Canada Email Updates

[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”March 9, 2020 – Update on Coronavirus and Camp” link=”https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Update-on-Coronavirus-and-Camp.html?soid=1101892059290&aid=KuhjUnw2Wcc” color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]
[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”April 1, 2020 • Camp Update” link=”https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Camp-Update—April-1–2020.html?soid=1101892059290&aid=PPmmrebAUxo” color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]
[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”May 11, 2020 • Camp Update” link=”https://conta.cc/3bkD0EK” color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]
[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”May 27, 2020 • Camp Update” link=”https://conta.cc/2TFnME8″ color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]
[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”March 20, 2020 • Camp Update” link=”https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Camp-Update—March-20–2020.html?soid=1101892059290&aid=CPcjCymHDjg” color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]
[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”April 20, 2020 • Camp Update” link=”https://conta.cc/2XQhSD5″ color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]
[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”May 19, 2020 • Camp Update” link=”https://conta.cc/36gOoQM” color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]

Your Questions, Answered

WILL YOU BE OFFERING ONLINE CAMP THIS SUMMER?

While nothing replaces the feeling of being at Camp, the Ramah Canada team is working on ways to provide opportunities for camper engagement and connection over the summer. We are exploring what online programming could look like and how can stay connected with our campers over the summer. Right now we are looking at running a three-week program, beginning the first week of July, with the possibility to extend if the program is successful.

Details are still coming together, and we will communicate a schedule of programming in the coming couple of weeks. Our programming will be done in coordination with other Ramah camps from around North America as well as with featured programming with other Ontario Jewish summer camps. There will be no cost to participate—but there will be opportunities to donate to support these offerings. We hope that these summer programs will be fun ways of keeping our campers connected to one another and camp.

The programming will offer approximately 10 hours of weekly programming and will focus on connecting our chanichim (campers) to one another through edah (unit) and small group programming. We will also offer chuggim (specialty programming) and different sport options.

Additionally, there will be family programming and events for Ramah Canada families. Please help us determine what programming you are most interested in by filling out our survey here

And finally  Ramah Canada family programming and events.

We are planning to share different ideas for how to bring camp home-from the favorite camp meals to bedtime rituals. We are working closely with the National Ramah Commission and Ontario Jewish Summer Camps to collaborate and work together.

Please help us determine what programming you are most interested in by filling out our survey here

WILL CAMPERS SKIP AN EDAH?

Campers will continue to progress through the edah system sequentially. Through online Edah gatherings and, hopefully, some in-person get togethers over the next several months, all campers will have the chance to have a 2020 Edah experience – albeit a very different one. We are looking to incorporate some of the anticipated activities or “rites of passage” of a particular edah into alternative experiences and next summer’s program. Our hope is that as a result, when campers return to Camp in 2021, they will be ready for the next edah.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR ALONIM 2020?

One of the saddest impacts of camp being cancelled this summer is that Alonim 2020 will not be able to have the experience that they have been aspiring towards for years. We know that nothing will replace this loss for them.

However, we want to do all we can to help them have some semblance of a capstone experience at camp.It is too soon to know what is best for them and what is possible, but we are open to possibilities and will remain flexible and will corrdinate with our sister Ramah camps and Ramah Israel as choices may impact Seminar.

Over the coming weeks, we will be connecting with our Alonim campers as both an edah and as individuals to understand how we can best support them; this will include discussions of how best to create a different, but meaningful Alonim experience.

WILL RAMAH CANADA BE OK FINANCIALLY?

As a non-profit, Camp Ramah in Canada is funded almost primarily by tuition.  Like most camps, our budget is dependent on tuition for the summer. We have already dramatically reduced our budget for the year in every way possible given that we cannot run camp, however, a large amount of our budget is built into our year-round existence.

We have pulled together a comprehensive plan for ensuring the ongoing vitality of camp. Part of this, is a matching grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation—they will match dollar for dollar camp tuition that is donated back to camp and other donations $1 for every $2 donated. This is very helpful and impactful way that camper families can help Camp Ramah in Canada remain strong for years to come.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE TUITION FEES I HAVE ALREADY PAID?

All camp families will receive a full refund of tuition dollars paid. You may choose to donate some or all of this tuition back to camp.

Please look for an email the first week of June detailing our refund process and directing you to a web portal that will allow you to choose what you would like to do. We hope families will help support Camp Ramah in Canada by choosing to donate their refunded tuition back to camp. Any gift will make an enormous impact on camp’s ability to endure.

The two options are:

  1. Donate all or part of your refunded 2020 fees to Camp Ramah in Canada (and receive a Canadian or US tax receipt)
  2. Receive a full refund. The refund will be issued as soon as we are able to, by August, if not sooner. If this timing will cause hardship, please let us know and we will work with you on an alternate refund schedule. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

WHY ARE YOU NOT OFFERING TUITION ROLLOVER AS AN OPTION?

Tuition rollover is not a viable option for Camp Ramah in Canada. Our board and finance committees have determined that rolling over tuition for next summer will create undue administrative complexity and a difficult cash flow issue that will be detrimental to camp well into the future.

Community Connection & Events

We pledge to continue to work to keep our camp community connected and communicate frequently, beginning with the scheduled events below:

Program

Havdallah BaBayit

Town Hall: Parents & Families

Town Hall: Alonim

Town Hall: Tzevet

Town Hall: Tikvah Families

Date & Time

Saturday, May 23 at 9:45pm on Zoom

Sunday, May 24 at 7:30pm on Zoom

Sunday, May 24 at 8:30pm on Zoom

Sunday, May 24 at 9:30pm on Zoom

Monday, May 25 at 7:30pm on Zoom

Resources For Parents

[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”How to help Your Child Cope with the Cancellation of a Summer Camp Session” link=”https://campramah.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Support-Resources-1.pdf” color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]
[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”Self-Care Reminders for Parents & Guardians” link=”https://campramah.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Support-Resources-2.pdf” color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]
[no_button size=”large” icon_pack=”” target=”_blank” font_weight=”” text=”Self-Care Reminders for Staff Members” link=”https://campramah.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Support-Resources-3.pdf” color=”#068daf” border_color=”#068daf” border_width=”2″ hover_color=”#777777″ hover_background_color=”#068daf”]