
EQ Overview
For over 60 years, the JCC Ranch Camp has been providing top-class instruction in western style riding in a Judaic Camping environment. The EQ Program is the chance your child has been waiting for to spend 2-3 weeks learning horsemanship skills, western riding, horse care, tacking, trail riding and overnight camping. Our small riding groups led by AAHS certified instructors will challenge both beginner and intermediate riders to grow their equestrian skills while making life-long friends in our one-of-a-kind Colorado Judaic home!
We have several programs to accommodate riders of all levels and abilities. Our EQ program, offered each session, is available to riders 5th – 9th grade and is open to beginner and advanced riders. The Beginner Horsemanship Specialty Track is available for first-time and beginner riders in the 4th – 6th grade and is offered during Session II. Intermediate/Advanced riders in the 8th – 11th grades are also invited to experience our teen programs, Pack N Ride and Wrangler-in-Training.

Highlights
- Campers spend 5 hours each day with their horse (except for Shabbat — horses need rest too!)
- Horses are matched to each rider based on ability, personality and rider goals.
- 16 Riders/session with 8 campers per arena.
- Each arena has one AAHS Certified instructor and a highly qualified assistant.
- Riding time is split between arena work and trail riding on Ranch Camp’s beautiful 400-acre property near Elbert, CO.
- Campers enjoy one overnight ride/session (weather permitting) ; ride your horse out and camp under the stars!
- Each session campers will participate in one off-site field trip – day at a horse show, “shopping” at local tack and feed store, etc.
- Campers partake in the Ranch Camp Buckle Series which honors the top Equestrians of each session.
- Campers participate in theme days such as Maccabiah (Color War) and Israel Day.

Daily Schedule
- 7:45am – Degel (Flagpole)
- 8:00am – Breakfast
- 9:20am – Camp Activity (Swimming, zipline, Teva Farm, Tie-Dye, Israeli Culture, etc)
- 10:35am – EQ Program Ride Time
- 1:15pm – Lunch
- 2:00pm – Menucha
- 3:30pm – EQ Program Ride Time
- 5:30pm – Cabin Time
- 6:oopm – Dinner
- 7:30pm – Camp Evening Program (Talent Show, Capture the Flag, Mission Impossible, etc)
- 9:00pm – Bedtime!

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We love Ranch Camp! Jesse was quick to make friends and the group became very tight. The instructors were amazing! Her confidence in herself has grown as she conquered fears and learned her strength.”
Ranch Camp Parent
What are meals like at camp?
Food is a key part of the camp experience and we eat three meals together each day as a community. We also have snack twice per day in between meal times. We can accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions including but not limited to: vegetarian, gluten free, celiac diet, corn free, dairy free and a wide variety of specific food allergies. Please contact our office in advance of the summer to discuss your campers food restrictions or dietary challenges and we will be happy to work with you to develop a plan that will have your camper eating healthy, balanced meals to keep there energy up for the fun stuff!
What makes you unique among other Colorado camps?
There are dozens of residential camps in Colorado to choose from – here are a few things that make Ranch Camp unique!
- Judaism – Our goal is that your camper walks away being proud to be Jewish! We do this through creating accessible Judaic programming that is blended in seamlessly with daily camp life. We foster and build a kehillah (community) that is caring and sensitive to where everyone is on their personal and Jewish journeys. We also have an amazing Shabbat experience! Starting Friday afternoon we dress up to enjoy a Shabbat service filled with music followed by an incredible dinner together alongside a night of singing and dancing! On Saturday your camper will participate in a Torah service at Eddie’s Corner and then spend the day choosing their favorite activities as we build towards Havdallah.
- Water Activities – Not every Colorado camp is able to offer access to a pool! The pool if one of the best places to hang out at camp on a warm day – we offer organized swim, free swim, water polo, pool parties and more!
- Quality Horseback Riding – For decades Ranch Camp has been known nation-wide for our equestrian program and with good reason. We offer an advanced riding program (EQ program) where campers get to work with the horses for 4 activity periods each day. We now also offer a Beginner Horsemanship program for younger campers where campers ride/learn all morning! Our staff are highly qualified and must complete a rigorous week long intensive certification process.
- Program Diversity – As campers grow at Ranch Camp so do the challenging nature of their programs! Beginning in 7th grade campers become eligible for different trip camp programs that take them on 4-day, 9- day and 21- day adventures. These programs are designed to forge life-long friendships and to help teens learn and grow within their community and themselves.
How do scholarships and financial aid programs work?
It is important to us that money not the be determining factor that prevents a child from experiences Jewish summer camping. Each summer we support families through scholarship programs to make camp possible for as many children as we can.
Click for Scholarship, Discount and Payment Plan Information
Tell me about Safety and Security at Ranch Camp.
The emotional, physical and spiritual health, safety and well-being of our campers is our primary focus.
Supporting our these key needs at Ranch Camp:
- On-Site Mirpa’ah (Health Center) staff including a registered nurse or physician available 24/7
- Multiple Daily Health Calls (Open Clinic Hours)
- Air-Conditioned Mirpa’ah with overnight capacity
- Urgent Care Facilities 25 minutes away in Falcon, CO with open hours every day
- Several major hospitals (St. Francis Hospital, Colorado Springs – SkyRidge Medical Center – Denver – Children’s Hospital, Parker) within 45 minutes drive
- Flight for Life available 24/7
- Local Ambulance Support within 10 minutes
- Camp entrance monitored by video surveillance camera
- On-Site security presence with a professional security guard
- All spaces at camp equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
- Staff and campers review and practice emergency procedures within the first 24 hours of each session
- All staff are trained on emergency procedures, lost camper, major injury, intruder, active shooter and disaster preparedness as well as CPR/First Aid certified
- Staff are background checked through multiple agencies, screened through personal interviews and reference checks
- Staff are given continuous performance evaluations throughout the summer
- 10 – 17 days of Pre-Camp on location Staff Training with pre-camp distance learning component.
- Accredited by the American Camping Association
- Annual Compliance with State Fire Inspection, State Licensing and Health Inspections.
What level of horse experience does my child need for EQ?
The EQ program serves riders from beginner to intermediate. Your child does not need any horse experience to join the program. It is recommended that your child spend some time with horses before the program to determine their interest level as this is an intensive program and it is important that campers have a true interest in immersing themselves in a horse focused program!
Riders joining with more experience may be leveled up depending on their riding ability. In the first few days of the program, all riders participate in a riding evaluation where our instructors interview each camper independently about their past experience and watch the camper ride, if applicable. This helps determine riding level and horse matches for the session.