Though we have had a wet beginning to Session IV, the weather has not stopped us from having a fantastic time thus far. We start each morning with music during breakfast that is selected by members of each cabin in order to begin the day with a bounce in our step and a song in our heart. The music must be working because thus far we have been able to complete our normal daily rotation of horseback riding, mountain biking, Israeli culture, music, drama, ropes course, etc. before the clouds have moved in.

Our evening activities have included our traditional opening song circle, Mission Impossible, and last night’s Double Dare which featured questions from history, Jewish history, geography, nature and science, pop culture. However, the highlight of the program was the team challenges. Campers were challenged to demonstrate their pudding eating skills, their balloon tossing acumen, and their cup flipping credentials.

As I sit here typing this, the cobalt blue skies and bright Colorado sunshine have returned to Ranch Camp. They go nicely with the thousands of smiles we have seen this week.

L’Shalom,
Dirk

Yesterday, Ranch Camp (in partnership with Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Disabilities Network) had the pleasure of hosting a program with a long history in our community: Summer Magic. Summer Magic, a program conceived by CAJE 16 years ago, brings children and adults with special needs to residential summer camp for a day. Our Staff-In-Training campers hosted our Summer Magic guests as they got a taste of summer fun at the RC. The Summer Magic participants saddled up for a tour around our riding arena, sang songs with Dan in our Havdallah garden, and spent the day just enjoying the beauty and fun of summer camp.

This incredible day was made possible through a grant from JCCA and the Coca Cola Foundation as part of their Day of Caring efforts. We cannot thank JCCA and Coca Cola enough for making Summer Magic possible for the participants, for our staff, and for our campers. Summer Magic reminded us that camp is for everyone, and that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy, freedom, and wonderment of a day at summer camp.

Additional thanks goes to Miriam and Gilad Schwartz and their phenomenal corral staff, Elise Diner, the director of our SIT program, Rita Schwartz, who has worked tirelessly for many years to make Summer Magic possible, and finally, to Zim Zimmerman, the Shwayder Camp family, and Congregation Emanuel for being the sole host of Summer Magic since its inception.

Shabbat Shalom,
Dirk

Normally, hoops and Chuppah are not often found sharing the same space; however, at Ranch Camp anything is possible. Today (Tuesday), we began our day with some hoops and finished it under the Chuppah. Mark Randall, former Cherry Creek High School, University of Kansas, and Denver Nuggets star made the trek out to Ranch Camp to run a basketball clinic for our campers. The Ranch Camp has enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Kroenke Sports and the Colorado Avalanche Community Foundation for several years, and as a result, we had the opportunity to have Mark to spend the day working with our campers. Mark taught nearly 60 kids the finer points of ball handling, shooting, and teamwork. The Nuggets were kind enough to supply t-shirts, wrist bands, head bands, and other prizes for our campers, and in turn, Denver Nuggets gear will be proudly worn in Caracas, Ramat Negev and all over Colorado. We cannot thank Mark and the Denver Nuggets enough for taking the time to work with our children.

After the kids channeled their inner Melo, LeBron, and D Wade, we joined together to celebrate the Mocktrimony of two of our RC staff members. The campers spent the afternoon decorating the Chad and the Pavilion in preparation for a beautiful, educational, and entertaining mock Jewish wedding. Our wedding featured a Ketubah signing, ring ceremony, Sheva Brachot, and the breaking of the glass, and we shared with our campers the meaning and tradition of each component. The simcha continued with a spirited reception in the Chad that included a heart pounding Hora, Israeli dancing, and to-funny-to-describe speeches by members of the wedding party. Wait till you see the pictures!

So, what did we learn today? We learned that jump shots and Jewish learning go together like pastrami and rye, locks and bagels, and fun and Ranch Camp!

L’Shalom,
Dirk

This morning, we said goodbye to a very special group of Ranch Campers: our minis. Our mini camp campers spent the last 12 days sampling a bit of what Ranch Camp has to offer, making new friends, showering every day, and looking forward to staying longer next year (ok, three out of four aint bad).

These children are the future of Ranch Camp. They are the future TASCers, Teen Villagers, SITs, and counselors (one mini told me this morning that he can’t wait until he can work at Ranch Camp!). Between Session II and Session III, we have welcomed nearly 50 mini campers to the Ranch Camp mishpucha, and we look forward to seeing their smiles for 19 days next summer. We miss you, minis!

Dirk

Last night, we took a respite from our normal camp programming to focus on events happening outside of the Ranch Camp bubble in observance of Tish B’Av. Our campers participated in a program designed by our staff with materials from American Jewish World Service. Our youngest campers were asked to discuss the things that made them feel safe at camp and what it would be like if those things were suddenly taken away. Our 5th and 6th grade campers examined the situation in Darfur, and were asked to choose what they would take with them if they suddenly were uprooted from their homes. Furthermore, our 5th and 6th graders took what they learned and wrote letters to Senator Salazar and Senator Allard and asked for their help in stopping the tragedy in the Sudan. Finally, our 7th and 8th grade campers examined the history of Tish B’Av, the Shoah, and displacement and genocide throughout history. These campers were asked to give their reactions to a series of quotes from Jewish teachers and leaders pertaining to our responsibilities as Jews and as people in defending the liberties and safety of our fellow man.

For the final piece of their program, this group of campers watched Paperclips, a documentary about a group of teachers and children in rural Tennessee who, as part of a Holocaust education project, start out with the goal of colleting six million paperclips and end up creating a lasting tribute to those who perished in the Holocaust. After the film, we asked the kids to tell us some of the central themes of Paperclips. Though many answers were given, the one message that everyone seemed to understand is that a small group of committed, passionate people can change the world, and that they (the campers) have that same potential and ability as the kids in the movie to effect such change.

I was extremely proud of our campers and staff for their focus, reverence, and willingness to grapple with subjects not often discussed in our setting. If nothing else, I hope that our staff and campers take with them the understanding that we have an obligation to advocate for justice in all corners of the world, not just our own.

L’Shalom,
Dirk

Shabbat at Ranch Camp is an experience to behold. Imagine 250 souls connected to each other through magical experience of summer camp gathering together to celebrate their Judaism. Now imagine this taking place against a backdrop of sunlight filtering through majestic pine trees underneath a cobalt blue sky as wildlife stroll the greenbelt to a soundtrack of Shabbat melodies. Finally, imagine if those 250 souls traveled from Israel, Venezuela, Australia, New Zealand, England, New York, Arizona, Kansas, California, Texas, Connecticut, Crested Butte, Durango, Boulder and Denver. Ok, now hold that image for a moment for that is exactly what took place at Ranch Camp this past Shabbat. Pretty special wouldn’t you say?

Our 8th grade boys, mini boys, and 7th grade girls led our Shabbat services this week, and shared
with their fellow campers their thoughts about friendship and goals. I was so proud to hear our campers talk about wanting to change the world, how much they value friendship, and how their time at Ranch Camp influences how they see themselves in the world and how they treat their peers.

After hearing their words this past Shabbat, I know that the future of our world is in good hands.

Shavua Tov,
Dirk

TASC = Teen Adventure Service Corps. For several years, the T,A, and C were at the top of their game, but the S was in a bit of a slump. Not this year! Our TASC campers and staff have spent a day each session planting trees from Ranch Camp in the Hayman Fire burn area. The work that they have done will help bring life back to this decimated area, and will be a tangible representation of their time spent at Ranch Camp. I hope that you will kvell with me knowing that this wonderful group of young men and women (56 in all) have spent part of their time at Ranch Camp doing sacred work.

Session III is off to a great start, and I look forward to sharing with you some of the highlights in a few days.

Dirk

What a finish! We have had an amazing last few days of Session II, so without further adieu let’s roll the highlights:

We celebrated a fantastic Yom Yisrael (Israel Day) on Thursday with ventures to a kibbutz, a Bedouin community, the Galilee, Jerusalem, and a brief stint in the Israeli army. Our Shlichim (with a big assist from our program staff) proved once again that you can indeed bring Israel to Elbert County.

That same night, Joan Wallis returned to Ranch Camp to share with our 8^th grade girls her wonderful program Rosh Chodesh: It’s a Girl’s Thing. By all accounts it was a powerful evening and we look forward to Joan coming back to Ranch Camp next session.

On Friday, our 7^th grade campers spent the day hiking and mountain biking in Colorado Springs. It was a well-deserved reward for a great group of kids, and a taste of what they will experience next summer on the 8^th grade trip.

Later that day, we gathered to welcome the final Shabbat of Session II. Our TASC campers did a beautiful job leading services, and sharing with us some of what they learned about themselves as individuals and each other while schlepping through the mountains. We capped the night off with the best song/Israeli dance session I have witnessed in my time at camp. I wish I could accurately and adequately describe the energy in the room, but alas, there are no words.

Our final full day of Session II began with services in Eddie’s Corner, highlighted by a beautiful Torah reading by one of our veteran counselors, Ethyn Feldman. Following services, our campers spent the day breathing the last breaths of summer at the ropes course, in the pool, and of course, in their octagonal paradise: the Ga Ga pit.

They day ended with a crescendo that included a spirited Havdallah service, a rockin song session, the specialists awards ceremony, the hanging of a beautiful mezuzah in the Mo that was designed by our 7^th grade girls (this mezuzah is believed to be the first mezuzah to be hanged at Ranch Camp in a very long time), and our goodbye slide show. It was an amazing way to put a cap on Session II.

As we said goodbye to our campers this morning, I was once again reminded that Ranch Camp is much more than a collection of buildings and trees. Ranch Camp is an ideal, a spirit, and a belief that is maintained in the hearts and minds of our campers and staff. They are the ones who make Ranch Camp a sacred place, and it is for them that Ranch Camp exits.

We will miss you, Session II campers!
La’Shalom,
Dirk

What is sure to become a 4th of July tradition at Ranch Camp, the First Annual Ranchcampapalooza made its explosive (who needs fireworks!?!) debut in the heart of Elbert County. No less than a dozen members of the Ranch Camp staff performed hits from today and from when you (yes, parents, you) were going to camp.

Ranchcampapalooza was a wonderful end to a phenomenal 4^th of July celebration that included hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, water slides, face painting, and tons of smiles (apple pie and Chevrolet were unfortunately unable to attend the festivities).

The next morning, campers woke to the sounds of members of the Ranch Camp staff not so quietly
signaling the return of the event they look forward to the entire year: Macabbiah! Our once-per-session color competition featured team Ga Ga, water polo, 4-way volleyball, and ruach (cheer/spirit) events.

The event culminated in the pinnacle event of every Maccabiah: The Mac-o-peel! The MOP is a supercharged relay event in which each member of the team must participate (and must travel the entire length of the course with a banana). The MOP featured events such as the half-mile run, candy bar eating, team cup flipping, human wheel barrel racing, haiku writing, and many other events that required talent, perseverance, and a good sense of humor.

We finished our second week of S2TM (Session II: The Musical for those who are new to the blog) with another beautiful Shabbat led by our 7^th grade boys and girls. During our Saturday
morning services in Eddie’s corner, we said a special goodbye to our mini-campers who will
return home tomorrow. We hope that they will leave Ranch Camp with memories that will last
until they return to Ranch Camp next summer, and with friendships that will last a lifetime.

Reporting from the Happiest Place on Earth (sorry, Disneyland, I think Ranch Camp is now in the top spot) - Dirk

Our second session of 2007 will henceforth be referred to by its new name - Session II: The Musical! We kicked of S2TM with a concert by Jewish rock star, Dan Nichols on Wednesday night. The concert featured Dan’s immense talents as a songwriter and performer, and showcased some of our homegrown talent as well (8 members of the Ranch Camp staff performed with Dan during the concert!).

The music continued with a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat service led by song leader, Dan Yolles, our student rabbi, Judi del Bourgo, and our 8^th grade girls. During this service we talked about the unique connection that each session of campers has to Ranch Camp and to each other. Our session II campers are more than friends; they are mishpucha (family). Our Teen Village and TASC campers are the big brothers and sisters, and our Mini-Campers are the little brothers and sisters; if one spends but a few moments at camp during this session, it is easy to see many examples of the familial connection between our campers.

Our first weekend of camp concluded with a spirited Havdallah service and Glow Dance on Saturday night, and a musically infused Kaleidoscope program last night. We had performances from several members of our staff, piano duets featuring the 7^th grade boys, rockin guitar riffs from our 8^th grade boys, a beautiful piano and vocal rendition of Leaving on a Jet
Plane, and many other interesting, humorous, and highly entertaining acts. We have had an amazing beginning to S2TM, and we hope to keep the music going for the next two weeks.

Finally, our TASC and Teen Village campers said goodbye to their little brothers and sisters this weekend as they set off on their respective journeys. We wish them all the best as they compile countless memories during their venture, and we look forward to their return to Ranch Camp.

Shalom,
Dirk