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Inclusion At Camp

Guide and Resources

Ranch Camp’s approach to inclusion

Ranch Camp is a place where ALL campers in our care can feel safe, nurtured, and accepted. We do our best to support the individual needs of all campers while providing a safe, healthy, and inclusive social environment for the greater camp community. Core to our mission, Ranch Camp welcomes many campers with identified needs, so long as we can provide the appropriate level of care without compromising the safety and well-being of them, their peers, and their staff. 

Ranch Camp uses MTSS – Multi Tiered Support System to proactively meet all campers’ needs and promote success, not just the campers who have specific or identified needs. MTSS focuses on implementing “Universal Supports” to help all campers thrive, but can also be tiered to provide more support when needed. Learn more below! 

We can help you determine if Ranch Camp can scaffold Tiers of support through MTSS – Multi Tiered Support System. If your child has learning, cognitive, and/or behavioral differences or identified needs, or mental health needs, please contact us before your camper’s enrollment, so that we can determine whether we can provide the necessary resources and accommodations to support your camper.

MTSS – Multi Tiered System of Support

MTSS – Multi Tiered System of Support is a preventative system that proactively addresses potential challenges to set our campers up for success. MTSS originated in the education system, and we have adapted it for the camp setting!  We are using MTSS for social-emotional, and behavioral support for all campers. MTSS involves three Tiers of support to proactively meet campers’ needs and promote success: 

  • Tier 1 for “universal supports”; things that ALL campers benefit from, specific to the age/grade/skill levels. 
  • Tier 2 for addressing more individualized needs. Typically, 5-10% of campers fall into Tier 2. 
  • Tier 3 for those who may need intensive, individualized support. Tier 3 is typically not a level of support that our program can provide. 

How does Ranch Camp MTSS?

Tier One: Universal Supports for ALL campers, such as: 

  • A short 5–10-minute break from activity, within group area  
  • Reasonable accommodations to make activities more accessible 
  • Flexibility around groups and cabin assignments predetermined before session starts 
  • Verbal time warnings to campers about transitions  
  • Visual schedule of the day for campers  
  • Fidgets as tools to help campers participate fully 
  • Visual feelings wheel and other Social Emotional resources 
  • Daily camper check ins with staff 
  • Provide choice/options 
  • Camper-led Restorative Justice approach to incidents involving others (peers, staff, etc.) 

Tier one/Universal supports are used to proactively and reactively address low to mid-level behaviors that are commonly seen at camp. We prepare our universal supports with the mindset that campers are taking risks, learning, and developing socially and emotionally. Common behaviors that we support include: 

  • Losing focus/attention or engagement 
  • Possible reactionary behaviors, such as occasional struggles with rule following, boundaries, respectfulness, kindness, physical safety, emotional safely, due to many reasons, such as new experiences, new people, overwhelm, stress, or anxiety (new schedule, changes, transitions, new activities, social dynamic, etc.) 

Tier Two: Universal supports PLUS individualized support/strategies, or accommodations to address some campers’ specific needs. Typically, Tier 2 supports are identified ahead of time, but they can also be used in response to more mid-level behaviors. Examples: 

  • Creating an individualized Camper Care Plan before camp, outlining successes, challenges, triggers, de-escalation strategies, resources, etc. 
  • Setting up systems for easier bathroom access 
  • Planning specific times/places for effective check ins with camper 
  • Camper Care Coordinator intervention (observations and suggestions for real-time support, creating and implementing behavior plans, etc.) 
  • Setting up systems of communication, such as a nonverbal cue or visual aid for camper use to communicate when they are overwhelmed/triggered/need a break 
  • Incentive charts or systems 
  • Other tools and strategies that campers may use in school or at home to help de-escalate and regulate emotionally 

Examples of behavior or campers’ specific needs include” 

  • Slow or difficult transitions between scheduled activities 
  • Camper not able to communicate verbally when upset or overwhelmed (typically seen as “shutting down” or withdrawing, shouting, or physical acts towards themselves or others.) 
  • Developing consistent struggle to follow expectations in program areas 
  • Developing consistent struggle in showing respect and kindness to those around them or themselves 
  • Not responding to universal supports, such as a short break, making choices, or utilizing visual, verbal, or physical resources

Tier Three: Campers who have utilized Tier 1 and 2 supports, and are still in need of more intensive, individualized support. Tier 3 is typically not a level of support that our program can provide, due to the safety and supervision of your camper as well as other campers. Tier three is typically in response to higher level behaviors, or low-mid-level behaviors that are developing into higher level behaviors due to escalation or persistence. Examples of this type of support include: 

  • Extended (30+ minutes) breaks away from the group, pulling staff members from supervising the other campers in the group. 
  • Multiple breaks from their group throughout the day. 
  • 1:1 support staff (1 camper to 1 staff member) 
  • Disordered eating, extreme picky eating, or extreme food allergies that require completely different/separate meal options from what is being served. (We DO provide regular meal alternatives for dietary restrictions including but not limited to: vegetarian, gluten-free, celiac, corn-free, dairy-free, and a wide variety of specific food regular allergies. 
  • Campers needing assistance with basic needs, such as eating, toileting, hygiene, etc. 

Examples of Tier 3 behaviors include: 

  • Eloping (running away) from group or assigned area of supervision 
  • Camper’s inability/refusal to stay with their group or make choices after reasonable accommodations have been made 
  • Campers becoming physically aggressive with staff members or other campers 
  • Campers repeatedly using offensive or inappropriate language with or directed towards staff members or other campers. 
  • Any low-mid level behaviors that escalate or persist, such as struggling with expectations of program area, communication, emotional escalation, staying with the group, etc.  

Ranch Camp is staffed with the capacity to provide Tier 1-2 supports, until behaviors (Tier 2 or 3) become consistent. If a camper’s behaviors repeatedly falls into Tier 3 supports or cannot be managed with Tier 1 and 2 supports, we will reach out to you to have a conversation about your camper’s ability to safely participate at camp. If you have questions about your camper’s needs or accommodations surrounding levels of support, consider scheduling a meeting with us before registering! 

How do you know if Ranch Camp is right for your camper?

We do our best to make camp a place where every camper can thrive. Sometimes that means a few extra tools in their backpack or creative accommodations. If you or our team have questions about whether your camper may benefit from extra tools and accommodations, it always starts with us getting to know your camper before their first s’more of the season.   

For campers who receive school support services (IEP/BIP/504 or other), are managing mental health diagnoses, have significant physical limitations, or have received additional support from camp in the past, we connect with parents and caregivers ahead of time for an intake call. We also may reach out if your application does not reflect this, but we believe that your camper might benefit from having additional support at camp. You are also welcome to request an intake!   

 
Intake calls allow our staff to get to know your camper and determine the need to create and implement custom care plans to allow them to have an incredible summer experience. All information shared during these intake calls is only shared with relevant staff members and otherwise kept confidential.

 

The Intake Process

We will reach out to applied families that have indicated on their application that their camper has an IEP/504/BIP in school, has Mental Health needs, and/or Participant Limitation. We will not process your enrollment (we will not charge you), and will hold your camper’s spot, until we have had a chance to have an intake and make the decision that Ranch Camp will or will not be able to support your camper’s individual needs.

We will send you a link to schedule a meeting with our Assistant Director of Camper Wellness, Rachel Szurek. 

Help prepare the Ranch Camp Team through filling out camper care survey, on CampInTouch, under “Forms & Documents.” This is an electronic form that will take 15 – 30 minutes to complete.

Share about your camper! Who are they? What do they love? What makes them THEM? What are your anticipated successes and challenges of camp for them? We will have some questions prepared to make sure we cover all of the important pieces of support at camp that you may not think about. Then we will talk through your camper’s individual needs and possibilities of support and accommodations.

We hope you leave the intake meeting with a good idea about how Ranch Camp will be able to support your individual camper. The Ranch Camp team will follow up with you about being able to provide necessary accommodations for your camper. We will start building a Camper Care Plan if we think that your camper may need more than just Universal Supports. A Camper Care Plan is an individualized plan created in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Camper Wellness and the family, that will outline needs/accommodations, strategies of support, and more, that are specific to your camper, to help them have a successful experience and the best possible summer! 

After the follow up, we will give you a heads up if we are going to process your camper’s application and charge you for the deposits/initial payments.

Preparing for Camp

Ranch Camp Readiness Guide
First Time Camper Guide
  • Monthly on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM MST 
  • October 15, 2025 | November 12, 2025 | December 10, 2025 | January 14, 2026 | February 11, 2026 | March 11, 2026 | April 8, 2026| May 13, 2026  
    Register here.  
  • Join us on Zoom to learn about our camp programs and ask all of your questions! Prospective, new, and returning campers and their adults are welcome to join us. Get a taste of camp, learn about our programs, and have a chance to ask any and all questions. 
  • Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:30pm-7:30pm MST & Thursday, April 28, 2026 at 6:30pm-7:30pm MST  
  • Camp families who are registered for Summer 2026- The two Town Hall Events are the same information and are designed to answer all your burning questions and get you pumped for the adventure ahead. From packing tips to program highlights, our camp directors will be on hand to share insights and ensure you’re fully prepared for the best summer yet. This session is designed primarily for parents and caregivers (if your camper wants to join, check out our First Time Camper Orientation on April 16th, or one of our Monthly Q/A Sessions!) 
  • Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:30-7:30pm MST 
  • This orientation is for parents, caregivers, AND campers! Join us for an engaging session filled with excitement, camaraderie, and a sneak peek into the incredible journey that awaits.

Rachel Szurek

Assistant Director of Camper Wellness

  • Talk through the First-Time Camper experience, how to prepare for camp, and what to expect! 
  • Discuss your camper’s needs for additional support or accommodations at Ranch Camp 
  • Ask any general Ranch Camp questions, and more! 
Schedule a call with me!

Ranch Camp Inclusion Statement

In alignment with our mission, vision, and values, JCC Ranch Camp is committed to the fundamental principles of personal freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity. We strive to create a community that welcomes diversity. We invite and engage all those who wish to participate including, but not limited to, people of any: race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, family structure, ability, marital status, culture, and spirituality. We will continually challenge ourselves and others in an environment of mutual concern and respect for the free expression of all individuals. Inclusion permeates our center. Inclusion is belonging. 

Schedule a meeting with our team today!