At Ranch Camp, a place surrounded by nature and the warmth of friends, campers get to experience Judaism like never before. They partake in Jewish rituals and traditions and share memorable Jewish experiences.
In fulfilling its mission, the JCC Ranch Camp provides:
- Innovative learning opportunities for children and staff members in an environment that challenges growth in mind, body, and spirit.
- A safe place for children to be cared for by qualified professionals, with a commitment to safety, supervision, customer service and Judaic programming.
- Opportunities for children and adults to experience a nurturing community based on Judaic values.
Jewish Life
Ranch Camp strives to connect children to their Jewish heritage and community, and natural world around them—through mind, body, and spirit. To do so, Ranch Camp provides campers with innovative Jewish programming, including:
- Kabbalat Shabbat services in our outdoor Pavilions
- Saturday morning services in beautiful Eddie’s Corner
- Musical Havdallah looking out over the front meadow.
- Spirited Shabbat song sessions
- Israeli dance, music, and culture
- Supervised Kosher kitchen
Want to take part in lighting Shabbat candles, pray alongside staff, lead service songs? We invite campers to jump in and take part. By weaving Judaic values into everyday camp life, we invite campers to learn and appreciate Judaism while having fun and bonding with friends.
Judaic Programs
Our Jewish content is primarily values-focused, to develop good people using our four, core values:
Kavod V’Chesed: Respect and Kindness | וחסד כבוד
We honor this by being inclusive, accepting, and considerate of others’ feelings, treating others with compassion, just as we would like to be treated.
Kehillah: Community | קהילה
We build one another up through laughter, play, overcoming challenges, learning, and growing.
Tikkun Olam: Healing the World | עולם תיקון
By creating community, we are contributing to making the world a better place and impacting those around us.
Hakh’lalla: Inclusion | הכללה
We welcome everyone, ensuring they feel included, seen, safe, and embraced.
Shabbat at Camp
We often hear from staff and campers—and even those from Israel— that camp is the first place where they have been able to find themselves Judaically. Shabbat services are a wonderful example of this, often taking place under the sunset in our beautiful, outdoor pavilions. These camper-led ritual is full of song, dance, and meaningful fun.
Our Staff
Our staff play a large role in making Ranch Camp feel special, and every person hired is committed to fostering this environment. Staff undergo 10-17 days of on-site training, which includes Child Abuse Reporting, Camper Care, Program Planning, Homesickness, Bullying Identification and Prevention, Cabin Management, CPR/First Aid, Emergency Procedures and Preparedness as well as area-specific training. In addition, all hired staff undergo extensive background checks and reference checks.
Katelyn first joined the Ranch Community as a camper in 2007. She’s spent almost every summer at camp since then.
The summer after 4th grade my mom sent me to Ranch Camp for the first time. Having never been away from home for more than a night, I was terrified. But the moment I stepped out of the car onto the dirt parking lot at the camp office, I instantly knew that this was a place where I would become the best version of myself. Many years later, I get that same feeling every time I arrive at camp; only now I’m part of the team creating an inclusive environment enabling campers to create, learn, and thrive. I understand, firsthand, the importance of providing children with opportunities to reach their fullest potential, and the consequences if such opportunities are lost.
One of my camp mentors once told me that this is the most important work in the world and I wholehearted believe that it is.
