Overview
Toshavim, or ‘Residents’, are the oldest members of the Ranch community and it is the introduction into our Tiyul, or Trip, program. Even if someone joins Ranch Camp for the first time as a Toshavim camper, the community in this unit is fast to welcome them into our family.
The experiences had by our Toshavim campers will culminate their journey thorug the Ranch program, and build their confidence for the tiyulim (trips) in their future.
With a three day camping trip for the 7th graders, and a four day backpacking trip for the 8th graders, it is a unit that will challenge what campers know about themselves. They learn to be independent, but also learn the value of a team with varied skillsets.
Campers spend a week at Ranch Camp, getting to participate in all that Ranch Camp has to offer, they spend a morning preparing themselves, their gear and their food, and then head out into the wilderness.
Highlights
7th Grade 2 or 3-day camping trip
- Outdoor cooking
- Camping on site
- Hiking
- Team building experiences
- Leave No Trace Training
- Hybrid camp and trip experience
8th Grade 4-day backpacking trip
- Intro to Backpacking off site
- Outdoor cooking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Team building experiences
- Leave No Trace Training
- Hybrid camp and trip experience
Traditional vs Specialty Tracks
Traditional Sessions
Session 1 and Session 3 – In these sessions your child will form deep bonds with their cabin mates as they spend each morning participating in 3 scheduled camp activities with their cabin group! In the afternoon, campers get to experience Chuggim. Ranch Camp believes in the power of choice and in giving young people the chance to follow their own interests. Each afternoon has 2 Chuggim options such as: ropes course, water polo, in-depth art projects, theatre, hiking, etc.
Each evening the entire camp comes together for evening programs! These camp favorites range from high-energy, competitive activities (Capture the Flag, Bombardier, Gold Rush) to classic camp experiences such as campfire, talent show and lip sync battles.
Specialty Tracks
Session 2 – Session 2 Specialty Tracks are perfect for campers wanting to pursue specific camp experiences and for those who want to not only have a cabin full of friends but spend time with more campers who share their passions! Campers will spend a 3-hour block each morning in their Specialty Track. After lunch and menucha (rest hour), campers will have one Chug followed by daily cabin program.
Specialty Tracks are available to campers in Chalutzim, Metapsim and Toshavim. Mini Campers (2nd – 4th graders, 1 week session) will participate in the Traditional Track so they can experience as many activities as possible, to let them experience as much of camp as possible
Full Specialty Track Descriptions and Age Range
Our offered tracks are Traditional Camp, Outdoor Adventure, Creative Arts, Sports, Beginner Horsemanship, and EQ.
Daily Schedule
7:15am – Wake Up
7:45am – Degel and Morning Circle
8:00am – Breakfast
8:50am – Cabin Clean Up
9:20am – Activity 1-3 (OR Specialty Track Programming)
1:15pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Menucha
3:45pm – Chug* 1-2 (OR Cabin Activity/Chug 1 for Track Sessions)
6:00pm – Closing Circle
6:15pm – Dinner
7:15pm – Evening Program
8:30pm – Lila Tov (Youngest/Mini Campers)
9:00pm – Lila Tov (5th and up)
*Chug is Elective Programming
GALLERY
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What are meals like on trips?
Most of our trips don’t have a base camp in the wilderness, but are spent backpacking and camping along the trail that the group is assigned to. Meals are lightweight and easy to pack, prep and cleanup. We do our best to provide a meal that is always Kosher, but balanced and full of the nutrients and energy kids need to accomplish what the day has in store for them.
Breakfast
- Pancakes with sunbutter
- Rehydrated eggs with hash browns
- Oatmeal with brown sugar
- Canned Fruit
- Granola/protein bars
Lunch
- Tortilla with peanut butter/sunbutter, granola and honey
- Cheese sandwich
- Canned chicken sandwich
- Tuna salad packs
- Granola/protein bars
Dinner
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Cous Cous with lentils
- Quinoa & Butternut squash
- Rice & Bean burritos
- Rehydrated Mashed potatoes
How do I know my camper is safe?
Parents receive daily communication via e-mail, letting them know that their camper’s group is A-OK. We also do a larger update letting parents know the current goings on, especially if the group has just completed a major activity.
Each trip goes out with a SPOT device, used for text message check-ins with our base at Ranch Camp. Each SPOT is equipped with an emergency button that can summon EMS via GPS locators. Additionally, each trip leader carries a SatPhone for daily communication and check ins. Each trip has an appointed time to call, daily.
Finally, and most importantly, we send out only our best for trip programs. These are staff with extensive personal experience backpacking who may be guides or teachers the rest of the year. They receive an additional week of training on top of what other staff receive. All trip leaders are trained in Wilderness First Responder as well as Medication Administration Training.
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.