Close
Enter your
text here

Highlights: Summer 2022 Virtual Town Hall Meeting

May 10, 2022

Welcome!

  • Rabbi Ami Hersh, Director, was thrilled to welcome more than 200 camp parents to the Summer 2022 pre-camp virtual town hall meeting.
  • Ami was joined by Advisory Board member and current camp parent Ivy Schreiber, for a brief message of welcome, and later by Rachel Kieffer, RN, Ramah Nyack’s Medical Director, who provided important COVID protocol updates and answered health-related questions.
  • Ami reviewed Ramah Nyack’s Guiding Principles for this summer and every summer:
    • The health, safety and well-being of our campers and staff continue to be our top priority;
    • Camp will feel like camp, and we will do everything possible to create an environment that is warm, welcoming, and inclusive for all.

Kayitz (Summer) 2022 by the Numbers

  • More than 750 campers are registered for camp.
  • Our Sha’ar Hebrew Immersion program will boast a record 141 campers.
  • We are excited to welcome more than 270 first-time campers.
  • We have hired an exceptional staff of more than 350 young adults from all over North America and Israel.
  • We are proud to have the largest Mishlachat (Israeli Delegation) of all camps in the U.S. this summer – 70 shlichim (emissaries) strong.

Camp T-Shirts and Camp Forms – Important!

  • Camp T-Shirts will be mailed home within the next two weeks, along with stickers indicating camper name. We ask that both the T-shirt and sticker are worn on the first day of camp (whenever the first day of camp is for each camper [e.g., opening day of camp, first day of second session, etc.]). Please call camp if you don’t receive this package by the end of May.
  • Medical Forms were due May 2. It is critical that we receive these forms as soon as possible, to ensure our Medical Director has ample time to review them prior to the first day of camp. Please contact our office with any questions, and thank you for your assistance to help make camp prep as seamless as possible!
  • Spring Camp Forms are available in your Camp-In-Touch account. Please submit these important forms which offer insight into how chanichim are doing now, by June 3.

Summer Communications

  • How to get in touch with camp during the summer:
    • The first point of contact for any camper/bunk-related conversation is the Rosh Edah (Division Head) or Yoetz(et) (advisor). Before camp, all Rashei Edah will send emails welcoming their chanichim (campers) to camp, which will include their contact information.
    • In the weeks ahead, we will provide a “Who is Who” at camp, should you need assistance at any point regarding medical/camper care, transportation, financial needs, etc.
  • New Camp App!
    • We are excited to launch a new camp app for more centralized and seamless communication during the summer. Photos, bunk and campwide news, important transportation updates and more will be easily accessible via the app. A dedicated email with more specific information about the app is coming soon.

A Glimpse Into the Camp Day & Week! 

  • Camper groups will have 10 to 12 chanichim with at least 2 to 3 madrichim for our youngest chanichim. Groups will have “buddy bunks” of the opposite gender and will participate in activities together throughout the day. 
  • Lunch will be served in our air conditioned Chadar Ochel (dining room) this summer. 
  • On Monday mornings, our week typically begins with Havdalah – a ceremony marking the closing of Shabbat and the separation before the start of the new week.
  • On Friday afternoons, we join for Shishi Al HaMigrash, where we dance, sing Hatikvah (Israel’s national anthem) and we joyfully welcome Shabbat together.
  • ParkMada is opening this summer! Our new, state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor science exploration and discovery center will teach innovative science education through a Jewish lens. The space will feature several rooms, including: Rube Goldberg/Ball Room featuring magnetic walls, Robotics/3D Printing Room, Video–Walls of Wonder Room, Shalva Sensory Room and an Outdoor Musical Playground.
    • We are pleased to welcome an Occupational Therapist to our Camper and Staff Care team this summer who will help support the needs of our campers.
  • We have rebuilt our garden to provide fresh herbs (including bisamim for our Monday morning Havdalah) as part of the Outdoor Education Program.

IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Family Orientation: Sunday, June 26, 3:00 – 5:00 PM 
-A fun, informal gathering and opportunity for chanichim and parents to meet their madrichim (counselors). All are welcome (attendance is not required) and transportation from Manhattan will be available. 
First Day of Camp: Tuesday, June 28
-Reminder for all chanichim to wear their Camp T-shirts and name stickers!
Camp is Closed: Monday, July 4 – Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!
Zimriyah (Song Festival): Wednesday, July 13 (rain date is Thursday, July 14)
-5:30 PM: First performance for Nevatim, Kochavim, Shorashim and Nitzanim (rising Pre-K through 2nd graders)
-7:15 PM: Second performance for Solelim, Tzeirim, Nevonim, Chalutzim, and Bogrim (rising 3rd through 9th graders)
-For families who have chanichim in both the younger and older performances, a light dinner will be served between performances.
-A note about transportation: Chanichim stay at camp to participate in Zimriyah, therefore there is no typical bus service home. Manhattan bus service will be available (1) to bring parents to camp prior to the performances and (2) to bring parents and their children to Manhattan after the performances. 
Ramah Nyack’s Annual Gala: Monday, July 18 
-A wonderful evening at camp for parents, alumni and our incredible network of supporters to celebrate Ramah Day Camp in Nyack. We hope you will join us!
First Day of Second Session: Monday, July 25 – Welcome to machane (camp) Ramah!
Extended Days/Trip Days: July and August
-Late days (6:00 PM dismissal) at camp for rising Pre-K through 3rd graders: Thursday, July 21 and Thursday, August 11 
-Overnights in camp for rising 4th and 5th graders: July 21/22, August 11/12 
-Overnight Trips for rising 6th through 9th graders: July 19-21, August 9-11
First Session: Providence, RI; Second: Washington, D.C.
Last Day of Camp: Wednesday, August 17
We will say L’Hitraot (see you soon)… until next summer!