Author: Charlie Sommers

Session 1, Day 11

There are many reasons that campers choose to return again and again to Ranch Camp. Some come for the riding programs, like EQ or Beginner Horsemanship. Others come to experience the track system that has been implemented in session 2. Or maybe the ropes course, or mountain biking, or a trip is a favorite activity that can’t be had elsewhere. But no matter why a kid loves camp, each and every one look forward to afternoon chugs.

Ranch Camp is one of the only summer camps in Colorado that allows kids to choose what they want to do for part of the day – in most camps, the entire day is scheduled. Giving the campers an opportunity to choose for themselves gives them a level of independence that they may not have experienced before. For the younger campers especially, it’s unusual to have the freedom to decide exactly what they’re going to do every day. Not only does this foster independence in the campers, but it allows them to step out of their comfort zone in a way that is in their control, and to choose the activities that will best allow them to grow and learn without being too challenged or not challenged enough.

Today, another week of chugs began. The first chug of the two is a weekly activity, meaning that campers pick a chug on the first day and then go to the same activity for the rest of the week. The second chug is daily, so campers get to choose a new experience every day. As they sat on the hill in the commons, campers decided which weekly chug to join, whether they would make an involved art project, play a team sport, or something in between. An hour later they chose again for daily activities, some opting for court sports, some for the ropes course, and others an anatomy art project.

Like all other activities at camp, chugs are designed with kids in mind. There is only one exception to this rule: Kaleidoscope. This evening program is not created for the kids – it’s created by the kids.

The excitement for Kaleidoscope began during lunch a few days ago, as it was the first opportunity for campers to sign up for the talent show. During menucha, cabin time, and before bed, campers have taken every opportunity to perfect their act. Tonight we finally got to see the results of their hard work – and the talent of the campers was immediately evident. Many campers regaled us with carefully practiced, beautiful piano pieces, and others sang songs (many from musicals). Some acts used props, some danced, and one even performed with fantastic Chinese yo-yo skills. Other acts were comedic in nature, lip syncs or skits or incredibly realistic animal noises. By the time the show was over, hands were red from clapping and voices horse from cheering.

Ranch Camp is a place where people from many different walks of life come together to share experiences. It’s a place of diversity and discovery, and not every person, staff or camper, is going to be interested in the same things – and that’s okay. That’s part of what makes Ranch Camp so special. No matter your skills, comfort zone, ability level, or background, there’s always something for everyone.

 

Session 1, Day 10

Every cabin wakes up in a different way. Some counselors set alarms, others play music, and some campers wake up before the staff and take the morning into their own hands. But this morning, wake up was different. The camp was woken quickly and loudly by bangs on the doors, shouts, and even horses. The first words that everyone heard were “Wake up! Wake up! Today’s Maccabiah!”

Campers poured out of their cabins, brimming over with excitement. For some, the experience was new and startling, but their more experienced friends filled them in quickly: Maccabiah has started, a full day of an all-camp color war. Each cabin was split into four colors – Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green. Throughout the day, campers sit with their teams at meals and compete in various games to earn points for their team. It’s a day full of energy and spirit, with tons of exciting activities and never a boring moment.

The day had an early start as we gathered in the commons earlier than usual for four-way volleyball, and then filtered into the Chad for a hearty breakfast to prepare for the day. Though meals at camp are always loud, breakfast was especially so, as the dining hall rang with cheers and shouts of ruach (or “spirit”) from each team’s table. Afterwards, the teams spread out across camp to create posters, spirit sticks, cheers, and songs pertaining to the Maccabiah theme.

The theme of Maccabiah is part of what makes the day so special. Different every session, as well as year to year, the themes ensure that no two Maccabiahs are exactly alike. This Maccabiah theme is Space Invasion. Each team represents a different planet – Yellow is Saturn, Blue is Neptune, Red is Mars, and Green is Venus – and the judges dressed up as aliens. All day, the competitions and activities that the campers participate in center around outer space and the planets.

After each team presented their songs, skits, and banners to the camp (earning points for spirit and respect while doing so), campers began rotations to gain even more points. The kids spend the time before lunch engaged in scavenger hunts, trivia contests and BBS – or Baseball Basketball Soccer. This is one of the many experiences that don’t exist outside of camp, as BBS is a game that is unique to Ranch Camp. Like baseball, one team plays the outfield while another one is up to bat – except instead of batting, campers kick a ball as far as they can before running around the bases. The outfield team works to get the ball back to the middle of the court and then make a basket before the kicker has gotten all the way back to home plate to score.

Maccabiah is a very high-energy day, and teams put their voices to good use cheering on their teammates. To give kids a chance to rest, lunch was a silent meal, with teams competing to see who can make the least noise. Though it’s strange to see the Chad so quiet, many were glad for the break, which continued with an extended menucha in the afternoon. Campers were able to store up some energy for the afternoon’s event: the Maccapeel.

The Maccapeel is the most iconic of Maccabiah’s events. A camp-wide relay race, it was named for the bananas that campers would pass to one another as they went from one station to the next. Due to the bananas becoming squished and brown by the end of the race, campers now pass along a stick, the same spirit sticks that they decorated in the morning.

The race started at the front gate. One camper representative from each team sprinted up to the office, where they passed off their sticks to the next group of campers. As each camper finished their station – ranging from solving riddles to building a human pyramid – they passed their team’s stick to the next station and then ran to the sports field. Once the entire team was gathered there, they worked together to transfer water from one bucket to the next. The first team to empty their bucket won the race, with extra points to the team with the most water in the second bucket.

After such an active day, the entire camp was grateful for a more relaxed evening activity. Everyone gathered to watch the movie Space Jam, one last nod to the day’s theme. The night began and campers split off from their teams to return once again to their cabins, teams disbanded but still connected by the spirit that had tied them together during the day. Everyone slept soundly, exhausted but satisfied as well, each happy with what they had done for their team and uplifted by the support everyone had shown each other.

Session 1, Days 8-9

Another week has gone by since the first Shabbat of the summer. What was, seven days ago, a new experience, is now a time that the whole camp looks forward to. On Friday night, campers were free to sit anywhere in the Chad instead of with their cabin, and danced with friends on the basketball court as the sun went down.

Though Friday night is the image that immediately comes to mind went the words “Ranch Camp Shabbat” are uttered, observing the Sabbath continues into Saturday. Morning services here at camp are especially unique. Usually, it would be hard for a kid to get as excited for services as the zip line or horseback riding – but sitting and listening to prayers is only a small part of the Saturday morning ritual. The services start with a dance to a Hebrew song to get out some jitters and energy. Campers and staff sing along to the prayers with movements and clapping, and some cabin groups go onstage to lead songs. The, during the Torah service, groups of campers come onto the stage to do alyiah – and Shahar, from Cabin 5, even read directly from the Torah to the whole camp!

For many campers, the most exciting part of services came after the prayers had finished, with a camp-wide game show called “Israel or Not?” Campers competed to guess which snack foods existed in Israel to win the foods and share them with their cabin. Others had to compete to use every Hebrew word we’ve learned over the past week in one sentence.

The rest of the day was very relaxed, as Shabbat should be, with cabin time, a shiur (meaning “lesson,” about this week’s Torah portion), and free activities with chocolate canteen in between. After such a calm day, the kids were looking forward to some activity – and they were in luck, as the evening program was Pokémon Go.

Like in many evening programs, campers worked as teams within their cabin groups. As they ran around camp, the groups had to hold up a cardboard frame that was decorated to look like a phone screen and target staff members, or Pokémon, in the frame. Once a Pokémon was caught, campers had to throw dodgeballs through the screens and hit the Pokémon in order to capture them, and then bring them to one of three Pokéstops located around camp to earn points. Depending on the type, Pokémon were between 10 and 50 points – and this was a high scoring game, as enthusiasm for the activity soared and campers threw themselves into the competition with gusto.

The end of the evening marks the beginning of a new week, and the last week of session one. It is already incredible to see how much all of the campers have grown. The session may be more than halfway over, but there is still so much in store, and so many more opportunities for each camper to learn, grow, and succeed.

Session 1, Day 8

Seven days ago, the campers of session one gathered at the Denver Jewish Day School to load the buses, or took the long drive up to camp with their parents, maybe nervous but excited as well. Now a week has gone by, and in that time, campers have already participated in activities they never thought possible, done things they never thought they would be able to do, made connections with people from all over the world, and created memories that will last a lifetime.

This morning, however, started with a tinge of sadness, as we said goodbye to our mini campers. Though they only stay for a week, they left their mark on the camp, and will be missed by many. Tears were shed as they finished their last meal, not only by the minis but by their friends in other cabins, and staff members as well. Though they had only known each other for a week, the friendships they made will last years, and the many goodbyes were heartfelt. The camp put their hands together to form a tunnel for the minis to go through as they sang a goodbye song, and then the entire Chalutzim unit gathered in the commons for one last song circle before the vans were loaded and parents arrived.

For the rest of the camp, morning activities continued as usual – but the afternoon held a special program in store. With ten staff members from Israel, signs for an “Israel Trail” in the Outer 400, and the Israeli flag flying right next to the American one, Israel has always been a part of Ranch Camp culture. So today was Israel Day, a celebration of the country that is so important to camp life.

The program started in the morning, when campers climbed the stairs of the Israeli-flag adorned Chad to a breakfast of shakshuka, a traditional Israeli breakfast food consisting of eggs poached in a flavorful tomato sauce with onion and pepper. The Israeli menu continued into the afternoon, with a lunch of falafel, pita, and tzatziki sauce. The meals were a prime example of the encouragement and support that Ranch Camp brings, as campers tried foods that were new to them and were surprised to find a new favorite dish.

After a restful menucha, cabins met in the commons as is usual – but instead of splitting up for chugs, they combined into their activity groups and traveled around camp to five different stations, where they played games to learn trivia about Israel, learned traditional dances, participated in an all-camp art project, and even made their own pita!

Israel Day came to a close with one last Israel-themed program. After dinner, campers went back to their cabins to prepare for the shuk, or market. Each group created goods to sell, and then gathered in the Chad to exchange what the others had made for monopoly-money style “shekels.” Campers could snack on brownies and lemonade, adopt a paper dog, get their hair or nails done, or play games with others. On the other side of the Chad campers burned off some steam before bed with Israeli dance, including a new dance that was introduced tonight.

Many of the experiences that campers get here are unique to camp, and Israel day is certainly no exception. As campers participated in the many activities, they got to learn about a different culture in an accepting and open environment, without judgement of their own background or the background of others. Ranch Camp is, above all, a safe place for kids to explore and express themselves and learn about their Jewish community all over the world, and today exemplified that perfectly.

Session 1, Day 6

Most days at camp at gorgeously sunny, the skies clear and bright, not a cloud to be seen. But in Colorado, the weather is never guaranteed, and sometimes the wind blows cold, bringing in clouds and opening up to rain.

What started today as a light wind turned into a thunderstorm by the afternoon, delaying the start of chugs. Because of Ranch Camp’s elevation, potential lightning can pose a danger, so for safety’s sake, it was important for campers to stay in their cabins. However, this didn’t dampen the camper’s spirits. Many took advantage of the extended menucha (or rest hour) to write letters, read, and save up energy for the night’s activities. Other cabins made the rainy day as fun as they could, playing card games with their cabin or even having a dance party inside.

Though chugs were delayed, they were not cancelled, and after the worst of the storm abated the camp again gathered in the commons. The weather, now safe, was still a bit gray, and the campers happily joined in some rainy-day activities. Some played board games with friends, while others read or journaled. In another sheltered area, campers played more active games, like ninja or speedy rabbit, a game in which kids have to move fast or risk losing their spot in the circle. Some other campers gathered in the corral. Though the horses had been let out of the stables, as is protocol in the event of a storm, the kids were not upset by losing their opportunity to ride – instead, they were able to groom and paint on (with wet chalk, which washes out easily) the two horses who had not been let loose, and even got a hands-on lesson on how to rope a cow.

By the evening, the weather had improved even more, and after an afternoon inside, the campers were itching for some action. The excitement in the room was palpable as the evening program was announced – Mission Impossible. Cabins worked as teams to run around the camp in search of a staff member, posing as CIA agents. It was the campers’ job, once the staff member was found, to disguise them to be impossible to recognize by enemy agents. As the sun went down, the camp gathered in the Mo and watched the disguised staff, sporting the names and personalities that the campers gave them, compete in a Mr. and Mrs. Ugly contest.

As is true anywhere, things at Ranch Camp do not always go as planned, but this never puts a damper on the fun and excitement that permeates the community. The activities, chugs, and programs are always flexible, ready to adapt to the day and ensure that everyone is able to participate, no matter the circumstance.

Session 1, Day 6 

The days at Ranch Camp are full of action. In cabin groups, activity groups, or during Chugs, campers get to experience the many activities that camp has to offer. But there’s only one time at camp when the entire community gets to do an activity all together – and this is during the evening program.

For many campers, the evening programs are the most memorable moments at camp. After dinner, campers have time to change into warmer clothes and fill up their water bottles before meeting in the camp commons to learn what exactly they’ll get to do that night. From dances on the basketball court to talent shows in the Mo (short for mo’adon, meaning “room”), there’s an evening activity for everyone. Of the multitude of programs that are run throughout the session, two of the most beloved are campfire and Gold Rush.

Campfire is usually held twice a session – once to open the session, and another to bring the session to a close. This session’s opening campfire was held on Monday night, the sky clear and stars visible as the camp gathered around the fire, clad in sweatshirts and brandishing flashlights. Campers sang songs, listened to stories, and roasted marshmallows (kosher ones, of course) as the sun went down. After the past few days of getting to know each other, campers had a blast singing and dancing with friends old and new.

After a more relaxed evening program, the next night held something much more active in store – Gold Rush. A camp favorite, the program consists of cabins running around the camp to collect pieces of gold (or painted rocks), then exchanging them at the bank for fun prizes like root beer floats, face painting, and even a chance to pie a member of the staff in the face!

Though most evening programs begin after dinner, this one began during it, and it began with a bang. While dressed in western garb, staff member Rachel told the camp of her travels through the country, and how she had come here to Ranch Camp to hide her gold. The story had only just drawn to a close when several bandits, all dressed in black, burst into the Chad and stole her gold!

The bandits are a staple of Gold Rush. While cabins travel back and forth between the bank (situated in South Village) and the sports field (in North Village) on their quest for gold, the bandits run amok. By holding hands and capturing a bandit in a circle, cabins can turn in these vigilantes in exchange for even more gold.

Dinner ended and everyone flooded out of the Chad, the entire camp transported back to the old West. As the teams amassed gold, they got their pictures taken, ate snacks at the saloon, and bartered for golden mementos. The festivities ended right before sunset, all of the campers happy with their purchases and all of the gold returned to its rightful owner.

Over the course of the session, there will be many more evening activities, some full of energy and others more relaxed. Though each program is unique, they all have one thing in common – they will be full of new experiences and moments for each camper to grow, and though they may only last one night, they will create happy memories that will stay with each camper for a lifetime.

Session 1, Day 4

With so many activities for each cabin to do, and exciting new “Chugim” (or free choice activities) offered each afternoon, no two days at Ranch Camp are exactly the same. The schedule, however, remains constant, with Chugim after lunch, cabin activities before, and degel, the morning circle, before breakfast to open up the day.

Today’s degel was especially full of energy. After Modeh Ani, the entire camp joined in a call and repeat song, then another round of Shiga’on, learning even more Hebrew words – today, “mazleg” (fork) and “agvaniot” (tomatoes) were added to the words we learned yesterday. Those words also happened to be the names of each unit at camp – “Chalutzim” meaning explorers, for the minis and youngest campers; “Metapsim” meaning climbers, for the 5th and 6th graders, and “Toshavim” meaning dwellers, for the 7th and 8th graders.

The names of each unit represent a mountain – while the youngest campers are at the base of the mountain, exploring a new environment for the first time, the oldest campers have settled on the top, and now think of camp as their second home. The ages between, hiking up the mountain, are often somewhere in the middle. The most important part is that we all live on the same mountain together. Metapsim support the Chalutzim in beginning their climb (or first session at camp), and give them the encouragement they need to continue, while Toshavim foster the sense of community that is felt by so many at Ranch Camp, making sure that everyone is included.

This relationship between the separate units was evident with the start of the day, as the different cabins met in the commons to break into separate groups for the morning’s activities. Though in the past cabins have traveled to activities together, Ranch Camp has implemented that campers will get to experience camp this year with the company of those in their same unit. In only a few days of activities, campers have branched out more than they ever have before, bonding with different ages and genders instead of just their own. After having a great day, campers are able to go back to their cabin and share their different experiences with their cabin mates.

After lunch and “menucha” (an hour of rest to get out of the sun), chugim began. Though free activities had been run on Friday, the chugim were a new experience to many, and one that is unique to Ranch Camp – many Jewish summer camps don’t give the option to choose activities. Of the two chugim, one changes every day, giving the campers an opportunity to try everything from identifying flowers in the Outer 400 (the wooded area that borders camp) to mixing cookie dough for that night’s dessert.

The other chug is a week-long activity. Kids spend a week creating their own board games, competing in mini-Olympics, or even acting in a musical. Every day, the campers get to know their community better, as chugim are not split up by cabin or unit, and knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment gives the kids the courage to step out of their comfort zones and choose activities that are new to them.

The rest of the week stands on the horizon, and with it comes possibility. As the activities continue and new Chugim are introduced, each camper will learn, grow, and thrive with the knowledge that their counselors, friends, units, and community all have their back.

 

Session 1, Days 2-3

Time moves differently here at Ranch Camp. While the rest of the world speeds along, each moment just a precursor to the next, we take the time to appreciate each minute we are here. Living in the moment is not just a goal, but a reality – and this is especially true during Shabbat.

Friday morning started bright and early, the campers wide awake and eager to start their first full day at camp. Degel (Hebrew for “flag,” what we call the morning circle before breakfast) foreshadowed the fantastic energy that was to come with the rest of the day. We sang Modeh Ani to welcome our souls back into our bodies, and then the song Shiga’on (or “crazy”) to learn some new Hebrew words.

Like the day before, the morning was filled with activities, but the afternoon brought the start of Shabbat. Services and Friday night dinner are a little less structured than the rest of the week, which can be difficult to navigate without help. But nobody was without help this week, as the returning campers took their new friends under their wing, making sure that they were comfortable and enjoying this special time at camp.

After the morning activities and lunch, Shabbat prep began. As the first half of the day had been spent covered in sweat, sunscreen, and dirt, it was a welcome change to be able to clean up and don nicer clothes than is customary for camp. Some time was spent gathered in South Village, taking pictures and catching up with friends, before moving down into the pavilions for services.

Many times during services, and a few more times during dinner, the voices of the entire camp joined together in song. Here, it doesn’t matter if you sing off key, or if you have the wrong rhythm – the spirit and meaning behind our voices is what makes the sound so beautiful. In those moments, which villages they lived in or which age group they were a part of had no effect on the campers – they were only members of the Ranch Camp family, not divided in any way.

Full from the amazing Shabbat dinner – brisket, noodle soup, and vegetables – the camp flooded out of the Chad and to the basketball court for some rikkud, or Israeli dance. The camp followed along with the dances, some new songs and others that have been part of Ranch Camp tradition for years. The large streetlight kept the court bright after the sun had gone down, providing a circle of light for one last song session before bed.

The day had been long, and campers fell asleep quickly, worn out but satisfied and looking forward to a relaxed Saturday – especially a late wake up and walk in breakfast of lox and bagels, another camp tradition.

Saturdays at camp are notably different from the rest of the week. Instead of jumping from one activity to the next, we take time to reflect on ourselves and the week ahead, and to appreciate the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. Services in the morning, and free activities in the afternoon (and, of course, chocolate canteen), allow the campers to get used to the rhythm of camp and spend more time getting to know each other without the usual hustle and bustle of the rest of the week.

As the Sabbath came to a close, the camp gathered one last time at the basketball court for Havdalah, holding hands and spiraling in to sit in a circle with the people who are quickly becoming a family. The blessings over the wine (or, in our case, grape juice) and spices employ all five of the senses, and everyone became quiet as they tuned in to the world around them, the smell of pine trees and dirt carried by the soft breeze whistling through the branches.

The final portion of Havdalah summed up the entire day perfectly, as some returning campers stood up to tell the camp why they chose to return again. Second year camper Grayson, from Cabin 4, voiced what everyone was feeling: “I came back to Ranch Camp because the community is very strong, and it doesn’t take long to make a lot of really good friends.”

It couldn’t have been said better. Tomorrow brings the first regular weekday at camp, a day that will be packed full of action and experiences – experiences that will give each and every camper an opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun, supported as they are by the Ranch Camp community.

Session 1, Day 1

Today was a day of transition. As the school year comes to a close, the summer begins, long awaited by many. Returning campers have grown a year since we last saw them, physically taller but wiser as well. New campers ease into the unfamiliar environment, supported by their Madrichim and cabin mates, the atmosphere of inclusion and camaraderie evident before the campers even loaded the buses.

Whether a camper is returning for their eighth year or just discovering their new home away from home, each and every one is excited. Though the morning at camp began silently, the air nearly buzzed with energy as, after a ride that seemed to take years, the gate swung open, the crunch of gravel was heard under the tires of the cars and buses, and this session’s campers arrived at JCC Ranch Camp.

After a lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup (the customary first meal of the session, a Ranch Camp tradition), the newly formed cabins traveled together around the camp, getting their bearings and learning the ropes while getting to know each other as well. Though the sun started to hide behind the clouds in the afternoon, the kids’ contagious energy was not abated by the hint of stormy weather. Shouts of cheer and excited greetings could be heard all across the property as the cabins played icebreaker games, joined in a rousing session of gaga, visited the health center, got their cabin pictures taken, and tried on boots at the corral.

Dinner was loud, as it should be at camp, a hundred different voices echoing off the walls and high ceilings of the Chad (the camp’s dining hall, short for chadar o’chel). Meals are so different here than they are at school cafeterias, an environment where creativity is encouraged and kids can try new foods without having to worry about whether or not they will leave feeling full – after tonight’s meal of spaghetti and garlic bread, everyone was satisfied.

Once dinner was cleaned up and everyone had a chance to change into warmer clothes, the evening program began. Tonight’s program was Bombardier, a mix between a trivia challenge and a race. Cabins competed to answer the most questions, while running between question stations and trying to avoid getting “bopped” by a Bombardier. Every cabin that got tagged – which was most – had to shout for a medic, and then solve a team building puzzle to continue the game. Kids got to learn about camp and get to know each other while burning off some energy before bedtime.

Camp quieted with the sunset. As exhausted but content campers said goodnight to their cabins and climbed into their beds, another silence settled over the camp – but this silence was different than the one in the morning. This silence is full, the presence of the campers tangible in the air. The people who make camp the special place it has been for so many years are back. Ranch Camp’s source of positive energy, that unique energy that many miss during the school year, is here again and raring to go. Already, it’s obvious that Ranch Camp 2018 will be one of the best years yet.

The summer has finally begun.