Author: Emily Reilly

The days at Ranch Camp start bright and early, the camp gathering for the morning circle at 7:45, and the hours spent under the bright Colorado sky are always filled with activity and energy. Most things at camp happen while the sun is high in the sky, but this is an overnight camp, and the fun doesn’t stop when the sun hits the horizon. The evening programs, always camp favorites, offer one more burst of excitement before bedtime, but on special nights, post-evening programs draw the end of the day on a bit further for a special treat.

Unlike evening programs, in which everyone at camp participates, the post-evening programs are generally divided by unit. Each unit – Chalutzim, Metapsim, and Toshavim – consists of three or four cabins, and these groups of campers have the opportunity to come together to solidify and strengthen their own communities during these times. This inter-cabin bonding begins with the first post-evening program (affectionately known as PEPs) of the session, a unit initiation. Generally taking place after opening campfire, the different units split off to their own campfires or unit areas to get to know the campers their age, returning campers welcoming the new. Sharing s’mores and campfire stories is the perfect end to the evening.

Other PEPs are a bit more energetic, adding some more thrill once campers are more comfortably settled in. Older campers might venture into the Outer 400 for a night hike or a game of camouflage. Others might put their mind to the test in an “escape room” in the Mo or a puzzle set out for them by a sibling cabin (raids being some of the most popular post-evening programs of all). Some evenings might find dance parties or movie nights, an extra special treat. For the younger kids, or just those who want something more relaxing before bed, storytelling with milk and cookies hits the spot. The rarity of these kinds of activities is part of what makes them so exciting – rest is one of the key parts of success at camp, so the opportunity to stay up past bedtime is always an adventure.

The other night, the Chaltuzim unit participated in a post-evening program, what ended up being one of the most meaningful nights of the session so far. The first group of Mini campers, the youngest cabins that only stay at camp for a week, were leaving the next morning, and the rest of the unit helped them make the night an extra special one. First, each Mini made a “Ranch Camp in a Jar” to take home with them, collecting leaves, flowers, and small rocks to create their own representation of camp – no matter where the next steps of their journey will take them, they will always have a little bit of Ranch Camp to call their own. Meanwhile, the unit’s older campers prepared a surprise at the pool. When the Minis arrived, they found wish boats prepared for them. As campers set the little wooden boats, each holding a tea candle, in the water of the pool, they made a wish that was released as the candles blew out. Standing around the pool as one community, illuminated by the light of the candles below, each and every person felt that those around them had, in the last week, become family.

These post-evening programs, like many other areas of camp, are what help to make this community such a special place. The things that happen when the sun goes down are obviously unique experiences that could not be had other places, bringing meaning to the words “sleepaway camp.” But more importantly, these are the times when campers are most able to connect with each other, the atmosphere created by these programs the natural setting for friendships to bloom. With every post-evening program, the bonds of the community grow ever stronger, building up the camaraderie that will still connect every member of camp long after the session itself is over.

The only predictable thing about the weather in Colorado is that it will be unpredictable. Luckily, we’re used to sudden weather changes here at camp, and even when an outdoor activity may not be possible, the excitement and fun of the day continue at the same level inside. For some campers, the back-pocket, rainy day activities are some of the most anticipated of the session, the fact that they come only every so often adding to the surprise and making them even more special.

Sunday was one of those stormy-weather days. The morning was just as warm as usual, the sun shining down to light the morning’s activities. On horses or mountain bikes, in the yurt for music or the Mo for drama, campers spread out around camp with water bottles in hand and sunscreen on their skin, ready to face the heat. The clouds that made their way over the horizon in the afternoon brought with them a reprieve from the temperature and the promise of one of those surprise rainy day programs. As the refreshing rain began to fall after dinner, the community made its way to the Mo for one of the most classic camp evening programs: Ranch Camp Idol! Each cabin worked together to create a lip-sync and dance to a song of their choosing, adding the finishing touches to their performance before going onstage and showing their friends their act! But Ranch Camp Idol has none of the judgement or competition of its namesake – passion and excitement are more important than talent, and the laughs of the other campers indicate everyone’s success.

A similar storm followed on Monday evening, the clouds that would soon give way to rainbows beginning to appear around dinnertime. Luckily, the scheduled program for the night was already meant to take place indoors – it was time for the Shuk! The perfect way to close out Israel Day, the Shuk is one of the most highly anticipated evening programs. Campers had been preparing all day to set up their station in the traditional Israeli market, and as they hung up their posters and set up their wares, the colors and energy in the Chad (or dining hall) perfectly mimicked the real thing. The room was soon full of excitement and cheer as campers took turns selling the goods they had worked so hard to produce, browsing the other tables in the meantime. With hot chocolate and brownies, nail painting and temporary tattoos, personalized bracelets and balloon animals, there was plenty to do and see, the Shuk over much too soon.

The schedule for the next week and a half is already full, so many experiences to be had and opportunities to share – but some of the most fulfilling times, the things that will stand out in memories, are not on the schedule. The unexpected and unplanned is always embraced here. Whether it’s a rainy-day program or a surprise raid from a sibling cabin, an impromptu song session or spontaneous game of gaga, the moments in between the planned ones often spark the most spirit and creativity. When thinking back to the summer many months from now, it is these memories that hold the strongest feeling of community, that will bring back the warmth of camp’s camaraderie.

Just as there is a first time for everything, there is a last time as well. Yesterday was one of those days, the last opening day of a session for the summer. Though it may seem to some, such as campers who come to camp for multiple sessions, that the end of the summer is all too close, the start of school too soon, the end of this most beautiful of seasons was the furthest thing from everyone’s mind as the front gate swung open to welcome the third session campers! The sounds of the crunch of gravel under the tires of buses and cars, the release of air as the doors swung open, and the cheers and shouts of excitement fell on ears like a symphony, the music of a community finally together. The song went on throughout the rest of the day as campers settled in. With cabins traveling together to take a dip in the pool or try on boots at the corral, the property was truly alive with the people who make it Ranch Camp.

This session is the largest one this summer, a fact that was evident as the group gathered before lunch for the opening circle. With so many members of one community, the opportunities for bonding and friendship skyrocket, and as everyone sang the Ranch Camp song, the spirit and enthusiasm in the words were such that the boy scouts on the bordering property must have heard every line. This energy, the beginning of what will stay with everyone through the session, did not abate in the afternoon, carrying through bonding games and unpacking time to Bombardier, the trivia-tag-teamwork evening program that has quickly become a camp tradition.

By the time the community gathered together the next morning, camp already felt like home, the rising morning sun a perfect way to awaken from such a good night’s sleep. Soon the voices of camp were waking up as well, birds chirping in trees providing a backing track to the songs integral to the morning circle. Modeh Ani comes first, welcoming our souls back into our bodies. Then comes both the American and Israeli national anthems. The circle is finished off with Shigaon, energetic and fun, to learn a new Hebrew word each day – today was “agvaniot” for tomatoes! Though the first three songs are tradition, Shigaon is newer, but equally as loved.

The combination of old and new is part of what makes Ranch Camp such a unique setting. Tradition is part of what keeps members of the community coming back for summer after summer, passing down the heritage of camp from one generation to the next. Even many of the staff members grew up here, now dedicating themselves to keeping the spirit of Ranch Camp alive. But just like the Shigaon song, or the introduction of exciting new activities such as Bombardier, the new parts of camp are just as important. And just as these new aspects of camp come to fit perfectly into what may be more traditional, it doesn’t take long for new members of the Ranch Camp community to realize that they are in a place where they belong. Returning campers take the hands of the new ones, showing them the ropes, teaching them the words, making sure they are included and involved. By the end of the day, old and new campers are nearly indistinguishable, all equally comfortable with the knowledge that they will be cared for and accepted unconditionally. Everyone in the community stands on an equal playing field, hand in hand, ready to spend the next two and a half weeks together as one.

The days here at Ranch Camp start out bright and early, most cabins shaking off sleep around seven. Unlike what may be the case during the school year, these mornings are met with no complaints or groans – instead, the day is greeted with excitement. Anticipation for what the next few hours will hold pours out of every cabin, dousing the camp in energy. This particular morning was especially bright and early, the excitement in the air especially energetic. Instead of being woken by their counselors, campers were roused by pounds on doors and blowing horns amid cheers and shouts of “It’s Maccabiah!”

The entire camp poured out of their beds at once, racing to throw on their brightly-colored clothes and meet at degel, the morning circle, fifteen minutes early. Most were already familiar with Maccabiah, and had been anticipating it all session. Those who had yet to experience this special day caught on quickly with help from their peers, learning that Maccabiah is an all-camp, all-day color war. The entire community splits up into four teams – green, yellow, blue, and red – and spends the day engaged in friendly competition, taking part in all sorts of competitions to earn points for their team. Each Maccabiah has its own unique theme, with today’s being Harry Potter, each color representing a different Hogwarts house.

At breakfast, each team gathered in the commons to cheer on three games of volleyball (one for each age unit) before heading inside to the Chad, where the meal was spent sitting with their teams instead of cabins. Though Maccabiah may appear to be just a full day of fun and games on the surface, a closer look at moments like these reveals the opportunities for cross-cabin friendships to be fostered and teamwork to be strengthened that appear all throughout the day. The ruach, or spirit, of the cheers and chants never tear other teams down. Instead, they lift each other up, instilling confidence and camaraderie in the community, the room brimming with the true spirit of Maccabiah before the first meal of the day is even over.

By the end of breakfast, the sun had warmed away any cool drafts of air from the night before, the sky blue and clear as campers scattered underneath it. Each team spent time creating their own chants, songs, skits, and posters to present to the other groups. Afterwards, the age units traveled around to different stations, competing in trivia, various sports, and even cake decorating, varied and diverse activities that had something for everyone. Next was a silent lunch, both a fun challenge and a respite from the shouting and cheers of the rest of the day, followed by Menucha. In the afternoon was the Macc-o-peel, for many the pinnacle of Maccabiah.

The Macc-o-peel (or, to stick to the theme, the Magic-o-peel) is an all-camp relay race spanning the entirety of the Inner 40. Starting with a race up from the front gate and ending with a water-moving challenge, this is another activity that has a place for everyone. By the time they’ve reached the sports field for the race’s finale, campers might be soaked with water, covered in face paint, or sticky from whipped cream, each contentedly exhausted and proud of their contribution. No matter which team comes in first, everyone celebrates together with a color-powder party. Tonight, as everyone danced together amidst the bright (and washable!) powder, the teams mixed together, no longer separated, all united again as one community.

Such an active day could only be closed by one of the most unique evening programs: a movie night. Though it may seem a basic pastime, movies become novel once again at camp, a projector and a screen suddenly unusual and exciting against the background of the technology-free environment. Campers relaxed and enjoyed the film together, staying warm with the feeling of camaraderie around them despite the setting of the sun on the horizon. The camp was especially quiet tonight, most everyone asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillows, quickly deep in dreams of color and competition, teamwork and strength, ruach and cheer.

When the words “Ranch Camp” are spoken, a very specific image comes to mind for many. Maybe some picture the Ranch Camp sign, where cabin photos are taken at the beginning of every session. Others may imagine the front gate, the first thing that lets people know they’ve finally arrived. Or maybe it’s the Chad, the Mo, a cabin, a favorite activity area. These images of camp are widely varied, but all have one thing in common – they exist in the inner 40 acres of camp.

The camp property is split into two parts: the Inner 40 and the Outer 400, each named for their respective acreage. Though most members of the community spend the majority of their time in the Inner 40 (where many of the previously mentioned classic camp images reside), the Outer 400 exists as a wealth of experience and opportunity, a sliver of the natural world that campers are able to engage in on a frequent basis.

While most activities are located close to the cabins, there are a few exceptions that take place past the fence. One of these is archery, a camp favorite and highly anticipated by all. Trained instructors teach the campers how to load, aim, and shoot their arrows, everyone taking part in this long-established sport while surrounded by the environment that it was designed for. Another one of these activities is ropes. Sometimes visible through the trees, the ropes course can be spotted during the drive up the main road. Activity groups bond and take their teamwork to the next level on low ropes before making their way further up the path to the high ropes course, where the beautiful scenery can be taken in from the best vantage point at camp.

These activities are some of the best around, but sometimes, the Outer 400 is best experienced without distraction. Campers in the EQ and Beginner Horsemanship programs (and very often those in the regular ranch programs as well) take their horses on trail rides, becoming one with the nature around them through their collaboration with the beautiful animals. The mountain bike activities are perfect for those who crave a more fast-paced kind of excitement, and for those who prefer to take their time and fully envelop themselves in the natural world, the teva wild hikes offer a wide and varied range of experiences. From the wide and sunny meadows to the cool and shady sand caves, the Outer 400 offers new discoveries and diversity at every turn.

But for many, time in the Outer 400 is best spent in one specific way: camping. Younger kids may sleep at Eddie’s Corner, an outdoor area mostly used for services that allows quick and easy access to bathrooms and cabins, making sure that what may be someone’s first foray into sleeping out is an experience that is both exciting and comfortable. Older kids might trek out farther, taking their sleeping bags to well-known campsites like Cold Mountain or Upper Mushroom. Campfires, s’mores, and storytelling round out these picturesque evenings under the stars. Even if the destination is a bunkbed rather than a tent, night hikes are the perfect opportunity to observe the world of Ranch Camp from a different perspective, moments for meditation or just quiet reflection offering a chance to process the excitement and experiences of the rest of camp.

Summer camp exists to many as a respite from the outside world, a place full of peace and joy, where community is prioritized and everyone is accepted just as they are. This is exemplified all over camp, but especially strongly in the Outer 400, where all experience levels are welcome, the awe fostered by nature is shared by all, and the surrounding natural world strengthens the bonds of all who enter and experience it together.

Most mornings, upon waking up, the campers know what to expect from the day ahead of them – track activities in the morning, cabin activities and chugim in the afternoon, snacks and cabin time in between. Though the schedule may be the same, every moment holds potential for excitement and new opportunities. Some days, however, vary from the norm. Days like Maccabiah, the all-camp color war, or Israel Day. Most of these camp “holidays” make an appearance every session, but the session two campers are always in for a special treat, as they get to experience an extra special day at camp: the Fourth of July!

Like most days, the morning schedule consisted of tracks activities, breakfast and degel (the opening circle) taking place at the usual time – but the excitement in the air that began building with the sunrise made the morning feel different. Decked out in red, white, and blue, the camp community gathered to begin the celebrations, joining together into some especially rousing renditions of Modeh Ani, Hatikva, and, of course, the Star Spangled Banner. Breakfast reflected the mood of the day, pancakes topped with strawberries, blueberries, and powdered sugar to match the classic American colors.

The real celebrations, however, kicked off at lunch. Many people have traditions on the Fourth of July – perhaps a family camping trip, a barbeque, a trip to see fireworks. Ranch Camp is no different. Every year, the camp gathers on the field next to the pool instead of the Chad (or dining hall) for lunch, the smells of sunscreen and chlorine overpowered by the delicious scent of a classic Fourth of July picnic. Burgers, potato chips, and coleslaw are enjoyed while resting on towels in the shade, happy conversation floating on the breeze. Once they’ve eaten their fill, campers are free to jump in the pool or enjoy the annual camp carnival. Snow cones and cotton candy are a fitting dessert to the nutritious meal, enjoyed in between turns at a blow-up water slide, poses at the photo booth, friendly competition at various games, and a chance to soak counselors at the dunk tank.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky it became obscured by clouds, afternoon storms so reliable here that they are nearly a part of the schedule – but the weather didn’t put a damper on the celebrations, the festivities at the carnival bringing in the true atmosphere of summer. Like the chugim offered most afternoons, campers were free to choose which activities they took part in, but the sense of community that the mingling of age groups and genders brings was felt even more strongly than usual. Instead of splitting into groups for the free choice activities, every person at camp took part in the same activities at once, sharing the joy and enthusiasm that the carnival fostered. By the time it was over, it felt less like a carnival and more like a party, a gathering not of strangers but of friends and family. Bedtime came with the knowledge that the next day would return to the regular camp schedule, but the companionship and cheer fostered in just one afternoon is something that will not fade with the experiences of the days ahead.

Each session at camp gives its campers a truly unique experience. Session one is two weeks long, a shorter session for those who want just a taste of camp. Session three is two and a half weeks, perfect for the kids who are craving even more time at camp (and who likely have been missing it the first few weeks of summer). Session two, right in the middle, is especially different – this is the session with the track system.

In the first and third sessions, campers (with the exception of campers in programs like EQ) travel around to the classic camp activities with groups of their same age. This is, of course, an amazing experience for many, giving the campers a well-rounded summer filled with many new experiences and interactions with all kinds of people. Some other campers come with something more specific in mind, looking forward to the drama and art activities, or excited for high ropes and mountain biking. These are the campers for whom the track system was created.

Every morning after breakfast, campers gather in the commons to split into their activity groups. Unlike the other sessions, these groups are not limited by age. Instead, campers join up with others in the same track, getting the opportunity to interact with people of all ages and genders. Once they’ve joined their groups, the day kicks off, each track nearly bursting with excitement for the specialized activities ahead of them.

First is Beginner Horsemanship. The EQ, or Equestrian, program has been an integral part of camp for years, offered for older campers every session. The Beginner Horsemanship program acts as an intro to EQ, giving younger kids who otherwise would participate in the ranch program the opportunity to work closely with horses, gaining skills and knowledge that will come in handy for their later participation in the EQ program. Decked out in boots and helmets, the Beginner Horsemanship kids can usually be found in the corral, saddling horses or learning to trot while bonding with both the horses and each other under the bright Colorado sky.

The kids in the Outdoor Adventure track share a similar desire to surround themselves in the natural world. Each day holds a new surprise in store. Hikes in the Outer 400 imbue a sense of awe as campers learn about the kind of flora and fauna present at camp and engage in nature hands-on. Mountain bike rides offer a similar ambiance, with the added rush of excitement and a new vantage point. Other times, the Outdoor Adventure group learns about the different knots and belaying techniques used at the ropes course or how to feed the animals in Teva. No matter what they’re doing that day, the name of the track holds true – every activity is an adventure.

For those more athletically inclined is the Sports track. Spending time on the bright green turf of Niven Field or in the cool clear water of the pool, the campers in the Sports track keep themselves active. These activities go above and beyond what regular activities like court sports or field sports offers. The campers throw their enthusiasm into learning the ins and outs of specific sports, working on their footwork in soccer, accuracy in basketball, or strokes in swimming. Through the activities, team bonding is more than natural, and campers leave the field each day with an even stronger sense of community and the knowledge that their camp friends always have their back.

But camp isn’t exclusive to outdoorsy or athletic individuals. One of the most anticipated tracks of the summer is the Arts and Culture track. Throughout the two and a half weeks, the campers in this track work towards a common goal: to put on a musical at the end of the session! Campers can audition for roles, but you don’t have to be onstage to be a star. Other campers in the track make the sets for the musical, and others design the costumes. Everyone’s passionate work culminates when the performance is put on for the rest of the camp, the perfect way to end the session.

The track system at camp is special to camp for so many reasons. The opportunity to focus on a passion is an obvious one, but another more subtle benefit is the impact the track system has on the community. With the opportunity to spend time with not only their own cabins, but campers from all over as well, both campers and staff alike come to share bonds with many people in the community. These bonds form a network that ties everyone together, and though the tracks may be different, there are many more similarities to share. The session has only been in for less than a week, but already, it’s obvious that the experiences they will have and the people they will meet in these next two and a half weeks will have a lasting impact on the lives of every camper.

It’s been one day since the Session Two campers made their way through the front gate for the first time this summer. The drive up the main road to camp feels longer than it really is, the anticipation of what lies ahead sparking energy in the air. It’s been a day since each cabin united for the first time, a day since the first camp meal, a day since the empty cabins filled with signs of their inhabitants. Camp has only been in session for a day, but many feel like they’ve merely returned to their natural environment, already settling in to their home away from home.

Ranch Camp has a way of bringing many different kinds of people together, a sentiment immediately evidenced by the cheers that flooded the dining hall and the rising of voices together as everyone sang the Ranch Camp song in the opening circle afterwards. For many campers, this is the first time they’ve had these experiences. For others, this sense of community is a principle factor in their decision to return year after year. No matter if this is a camper’s first year or fifth, all share the same sense curiosity and excitement for what the next week and a half has in store.

After lunch (chicken sandwiches and potato wedges, the first delicious and filling meal of many) and the song circle, the remaining hours of the day were dedicated to settling into camp. The voices of every age group carried across the commons of North and South Village alike as cabins retrieved their luggage, ready to make their bunks their own. Once every building was satisfactorily decorated, everyone jumped into the afternoon’s activities. Each group got a chance to hop into the pool, cooling off from the hot day while cheering on their cabin mates during the swim test. Equally as anticipated was a trip to the corral, an integral part of the camp experience, getting a chance to ask about the activities and take a look at some of the horses grazing on the hill.

Cabin photos and check-ins at the Mir Pa’ah, or health center, were interspersed with bonding time. High-energy games and get-to-know-you activities solidified the bonds already forming between campers, and the discovery common interests sparked animated conversation as groups walked from one activity to another. The voices of the community could be heard from every corner of the inner forty acres of camp, the property in its natural state. Camp feels like such a different place than it does during the off season, or even intersession. Filled with friendship and community is the way Ranch Camp is meant to be.

Though campers spent the day in their cabin groups, the community as a whole is in no way divided by age or gender. This is evident during meals or when split into activity groups, but the diversity and inclusivity of camp is most obvious at one certain time of the day: evening program. No matter what cabin, program track, activity group, or age unit a camper might be in, each and every one participates in the same program after dinner. This is one of the only times when every member of camp is involved in the same activity at once, and the energy and enthusiasm this brings is nearly palpable as everyone gathers in the commons to begin. The first night’s evening program was Bombardier, a game that combines trivia, tag, and teambuilding into a friendly competition that has something for everyone to enjoy.

By the time the sun was making its way past the horizon, the first day of Session Two was drawing to a close. It had been a day full of enthusiasm and anticipation, energy and activity, friendship and fun. It was the kind of day that felt like more than one, any anxiety or worries from the morning now a distant memory. As camp quieted down, every camper drifted into the peaceful sleep that comes after a long but incredibly satisfying day. They rested well with the knowledge that the next morning would come with just as much excitement as the last, as will every morning here at camp, each day carrying the promise of many more new experiences and an ever stronger community.

Saturdays, like Fridays, are different from every other day at camp. The continuation of Shabbat celebrations from the previous night transforms the day into a space separate from the rest of the week, a time in which campers are able to reflect on the achievements and successes of the previous few days while spending quality time with friends and newfound family. This Saturday, however, was especially different; it was not only Shabbat, but the last full day of Session One.

The day broke on a community filled with a quiet but tangible energy, the excitement of going home mixing with a reluctance to leave camp to create that bittersweet feeling many experience during the last few days of the session. A traditional walk-in breakfast of bagels and lox preceded the gathering of the entire camp in North Village, where voices one again rose in song together before everyone took the journey to Eddie’s Corner. Saturday services, like those held on Friday nights, take place outside. Eddie’s Corner is an alcove of trees and flowers, cool morning air warming off the wooden benches with bright rays of sunlight streaming through the branches above. The morning started out a bit cold and gray, but the music of prayer that joined everyone together seemed to draw the blue sky out from behind the clouds. The sun itself broke through and shone down with a sudden beauty just as the Torah was taken out of its ark.

Just like last week’s Shabbat, campers and staff alike felt the sense of community even more strongly after services ended, but the ties that connected the community were even stronger this week. As everyone reentered the main campgrounds and split off into their cabins to begin packing, shouts of joy and laughter echoed from one building to the next. Though the day was dedicated to packing, time was easily found for one last game of gaga or trip to the art room. Campers packed with determination, already looking forward to the afternoon and the promise of chocolate canteen and free activities. Though clothing and bedding had been already packed up, enthusiasm and excitement had not, and campers jumped at the chance to participate in their favorite activities once more.

The afternoon, already going by too quickly, soon became evening. Coming straight from their activities, campers reunited with their cabin mates outside of the Chad as everyone gathered for dinner. The last dinner of the session would be one to remember – as the doors of the dining hall opened up, a transformed room was revealed. Glittery banners adorned the walls, stars hung from the ceiling, and glow sticks decorated the tables. It was Hard Rock! Named after the well-known café, this program is a staple on the last day of camp, a themed dinner to end the session with a bang. The theme of this particular Hard Rock was “Galaxy,” and campers enjoyed a meal of baked ziti and garlic bread while watching their counselors, dressed as aliens, act out the story of the Ranch Camp planet.

The meal eventually came to a close, but the camp did not yet split back up into their cabins. Instead, everyone gathered in the Mo once more for the last program of them all: campfire. The only evening activity held twice a session, campfire is an integral part of camp. With one at the beginning of the summer and the other at the end, it brings closure to the summer, the completion of a circular journey. Campfire began with Havdalah and then moved seamlessly into the many songs that have made their place as tradition at Ranch Camp: Mountain Dew, Lean on Me, Riptide, and The Circle Game, to name a few. In the Mo, a building already rich with history, the many voices of the Ranch Camp community echoed off the walls instead of dissipating into the evening. Though it was cold outside, everyone was warmed by the sound of the community together for the last time, a sound rich with memory and meaning.

It seems, sometimes, like the singing at camp never stops. We sing the welcome song when campers first arrive, we sing while we pray before and after meals, we sing when someone says the word “announcement” in the Chad. We sing to celebrate birthdays and lost teeth. Services on Shabbat are full of song, as are the Havdalah ceremonies and song circles on Friday evenings. We sing at Degel before breakfast and again before bed. Programs like Maccabiah and capture the flag are marked by songs of ruach (or spirit) and camaraderie. We sing at campfire at the start of the session, and we sing at campfire at the end of the session.

Though the campers may pack their bags and leave the camp property, the tune of these songs will stay with them. When they eat their next meal or lose their next tooth, the songs they learned at camp will remind them of these experiences here. Next Friday, the camp Shabbat services will rise up in their minds. These songs are so much more than just words and tunes. They hold memories in their lyrics, purpose in their melodies. They cannot be held in hands or packed away, but kept in spirit, something that brings comfort when next summer feels too far away. On Sunday morning, as the last goodbyes are said and the front gate swings shut, the words that we have sung here together will hold ties strong as everyone goes their separate ways, hearts full with the songs of Ranch Camp.

JCC Ranch Camp is located on 380 acres of land in the Black Forest of Colorado. With the exception of the trips programs, most members of the camp community spend the entire two weeks of the session on this beautiful property, surrounded by nature, tucked away from the worries of the outside world.

This may make Ranch Camp feel secluded, but in truth, the campers who come here often get the opportunity to learn even more about the world around them than they might in other places. This education comes largely in part from our diverse group of international staff. From England and Ireland to Uganda and, most notably, Israel, campers are able to interact with these staff members in a day-to-day way that helps them put faces and personalities to the nameless nationalities they learn about in school. Spending time with so many people of different backgrounds (including other campers) fosters acceptance and the idea of normality in diversity in a way that is effortless and natural.

The Israeli delegation, known throughout camp as the Mishlachat, add another layer of Jewish experience to camp. From the Shigaon song to the Israeli culture activities, the Israeli staff add their own special touch to Ranch Camp. Of all of these contributions, one is perhaps most notable: Israel Day, or Yom Yisrael. This Thursday marked the first Israel Day of the summer, a day dedicated to learning about the faraway country through up-close activities.

The campers woke with no inclination that today would be any different from the others. Degel, the morning circle, began as usual at 7:45, and the community moved through the songs we sing together, voices rising in unison, the perfect way to start the day. As soon as everyone entered the Chad, excitement began to rise in the air, the white and blue decorations and delicious smell of a traditional Israeli breakfast hinting at something special. Though the announcement soon came, many placed their guesses correctly, returners especially enthusiastic to take part once again in this classic camp holiday. Breakfast was shakshuka, eggs cooked in a sauce of chopped tomatoes and spices, paired with pita and potatoes. Campers dived in with adventurous tongues, finishing fueled and excited for the rest of the day.

The morning activities continued on as planned, campers engaging in friendly competition on the sports field, getting colorful at tie-dye, or taking a dip in the pool. After a filling lunch and relaxing Menucha, the Israel Day activities started for real. Instead of the usual chugs, or free choice activities, campers had an opportunity to participate in each of the four activity blocks offered. They learned some traditional Israeli dancing, made their own traditional pita bread, competed in a trivia challenge, and participated in some more active games to express their enthusiasm.

Dinner came all too soon, but the adventures of Israel Day were far from over. All of the knowledge and eagerness gained by the campers in the afternoon tied in perfectly to the evening program, the Shuk. As the previous meal was cleared away, campers left to their own cabins to prepare, and arrived back into the Chad to find the dining hall transformed into a traditional Israeli marketplace. Every cabin set out their own handmade goods to sell to their friends, ranging from pocket Hebrew-English dictionaries and friendship bracelets to face painting and snacks. Campers spent faux shekels at the stations that called to them, rotating with their cabin-mates to “sell” their own products as well. The night ended with a feeling of satisfaction, everyone heading to bed with the contentedness that comes with the knowledge of a day well spent.

The opportunity to learn about the world in an environment free of judgement or expectations is something that is rare to come across in most people’s daily lives. That’s not true here at Ranch Camp. Days like these make sure that campers have those safe places, that they know they are welcome and encouraged to ask questions and make observations that will be accepted and validated. Israel Day highlights this aspect of our community, but this acceptance doesn’t disappear on regular days. Learning happens every day at camp, and it’s only natural for that knowledge to come with questions and concerns that are different for every person. Each one of those people knows that here, their questions will be answered, their backgrounds respected, their opinions accepted. Here, they know that they are safe to be themselves.