When it comes to staying healthy, both physically and mentally, we have two incredible staff teams to support campers.  

For physical health, we have a long-standing partnership with excellent medical professionals in the area that help evaluate and shape our summer policies annually. Our on-site medical staff includes experienced nurses, paramedics, and EMTs who are passionate about working with youth and providing the best medical care possible. We devote significant time to health and safety during our staff orientation so that every staff member knows exactly what to do in an emergency. 

• Medical needs at camp: Ranch Camp has an onsite clinic ( Mirpa’ah) that is staffed by a medical staff consisting of a Registered Nurse and clinic assistant (an EMT, paramedic, CNA, or other certified professional with a doctor available by phone always. If your camper needs physical health support at camp, you should encourage them to talk to their counselors about visiting the clinic. Counselors will visit the clinic with their campers for a variety of reasons including but not limited to persistent headaches, stomach aches, twisted ankle, bumps, scrapes, and bruises, heat exhaustion or dehydration, suspected fevers and other symptoms of illness. Campers who take medication will also visit the Clinic or Clinic Team for medication administration.  

• Please see our Handbook PAGE __ for details on our Physical Health and Wellness Policies, including Doctor or specialist visits, spending the night in the Clinic, emergency EMS calls, Non-emergency dental or orthodontic issues, eggs, nits, or lice, contagious conditions, prolonged illness, etc. 

• Additionally, all staff members are both CPR and first aid certified. 

For mental health, we bring a seasonal Camper Care Team together, who support campers daily in maintaining their mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. The members of the Camper Care Team have relevant experience, which may include backgrounds as teachers, special education, social workers, school counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. We also have two full-time staff at camp, Assistant Director of Camper Care and Inclusion Specialist, whose jobs are to make sure campers’ health, safety, and wellbeing needs are being met at camp, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

We do everything we can to ensure the health of our campers, but health and wellness at camp is truly a partnership with our families and caregivers. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your camper stays healthy while at camp: 

• Make sure your child comes with two full-sized water bottles (16oz+), sun protection like a brimmed hat and sunglasses, and a daypack to carry these items in. Hydration and sun protection are the most crucial factors in keeping campers healthy.  

• Send your camper with extra sunscreen and practice applying sunscreen prior to camp! While you may think your camper has enough sunscreen to cover themselves for a decade of sunny days, these things are often lost, misplaced, or spilled, so pack extra. Sunscreen will also travel in your camper’s daypack. Bunkmates are not permitted to share sunscreen, bug spray, and other similar products. 

• Send your camper with their own LABELED supplies for basic health and hygiene needs (including shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, body wash, hairbrush, etc. – whatever they regularly use at home should come to camp). If your camper runs out of or loses any basic health and hygiene items, please instruct them to tell a staff member right away to get a replacement – we keep most health and hygiene items on hand. We will be in touch if they need an item that we do not already have on hand.  

• Help your camper build consistent health and hygiene routines. Build independence in their routines for brushing teeth, getting dressed and undressed, showering, using the bathroom, caring for their hair, etc. Campers should be able to do their health and hygiene routines with developmentally appropriate levels of support. 

Review the Camper Conduct Agreement with your camper and help them understand camp’s behavior expectations. Talking through the behavior expectations beforehand will prepare your campers to work through any social or emotional conflict they may experience at camp. Encourage your camper to talk to a staff member if issues arise and let them know that staff are trained to help them overcome social and emotional conflicts.  

If your child regularly takes medications – prescription medication, over the counter medications, vitamins/supplements, homeopathic medications, essential oils, and anything else that can be inhaled, absorbed, or ingested: 

• All medications must be turned in to the health clinic staff on the first day of camp.  

• All medications must be in original packaging and cannot be expired (do not “pre-package” yourself OR put medications in mixed bottles or Ziploc bags!) 

• The dosage, medication name, and administration instructions on the medication you bring to camp MUST EXACTLY match the dosage and medication name listed on your Physician Form and Health History Form. 

• Use language like ‘I know you will have a fun, terrific time at camp,’ ‘you are so brave for going to camp and you’re going to have fun every single day,’ and ‘We are so proud of you for going to camp on your own’ rather than ‘We will miss you’ and ‘we can’t wait for you to come home.’ 

• Let your camper know that if they do miss home, it is totally normal and okay! Give them some strategies for when they miss home like writing a letter, playing a game with a friend, talking to a staff member, or doing something physical like dancing or shaking it out.  

• Practice independence with your camper! Give them the space to be responsible for themselves in their at-home routines.  

• Talk to your camper about what their cabin will look like, what sleeping in a bunk bed is like, what eating buffet-style in a dining hall is like, and what using a shared bath house is like. Need help with this? We have a guide to help with these conversations! 

• Send a letter ahead of time so there’s something from you waiting for your camper on the first day of mail. Continue to send your camper letters and camp stamp emails throughout the session.  

• Pack personal items from home like a favorite stuffed animal or a family picture. 

• Help your camper understand that they can trust and confide in their staff members to help them with any needs. It is crucial for them to know that they have people at camp with their best interests at heart. 

• Do not bribe your camper to enjoy camp; instead talk to them about finding confidence, independence, and best friends while at camp. 

• Do not tell your camper that they can come home if they are having a difficult time. This gives campers an incentive to make a difficult time for themselves and leave camp early. 

• Do not use the word homesick; instead, say missing home.  

If you receive a “homesick letter,” do not panic! Remember two things: 

• It passes. By the time you receive a letter describing a tough time, your camper probably isn’t missing home anymore. In the time it takes for their letters to reach you, we’ve been building friendships, jumping into activities, and ensuring campers feel included, seen, and safe.  

• If you receive something that concerns you in a letter, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Campers, especially in their first years at camp, are more apt to share with their parents and caregivers than go to their counselors about some things. Let us know what’s going on so we can support your camper as best as possible. 

Now, as far as you missing your camper goes, meet a friend for coffee, see some movies, go on an adventure, write lots of letters, and relax. We frequently post photos during the summer, so you can see your camper just about every day! And remember to greet your returning camper with lots of love and smiles – hearing about all the adventures they had at camp will be the best part of your summer. 

Feel free to call and check in with us anytime. Katelyn, Max, Rachel, and Tuyet, and our incredible Camper Care Team are available by email and phone during the summer to answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

We know that campers often feel more comfortable if they know they’ll already have a friend in their cabin that they’ve met before camp. Introducing campers to each other and scheduling time for them to connect before camp can be hugely valuable. To help make these connections, we’ve attached a Unit Directory to this email. This directory has names and contact information for all the campers in your camper’s Unit this summer. While you won’t know your camper’s bunk assignment for another couple of weeks, campers in the same unit will spend a lot of time together throughout the session, so please feel free to connect!

At camp, we spend A LOT of time during the first days, and the entire session, facilitating ice breakers, playing intentional team-building games, and helping campers get to know each other. Our staff are experts in understanding the social dynamics of each cabin and coaching campers in friendship building. Each day, campers will not only connect with their cabin mates but will also join activity groups that help expand their social experience.

One of the biggest benefits of camp is learning how to build and sustain friendships. Campers experience a huge level of social interaction each day: sleeping in a shared cabin, participating in activities, eating in the dining hall, and more. While this level of social interaction provides incredible opportunities to develop deep friendships, it isn’t uncommon for tension and social conflict to occur.

Our goal is that each camper who attends Ranch Camp establishes a sense of belonging in our community. At Ranch Camp this means feeling included, feeling safe to ask questions and make mistakes, feeling safe to offer ideas and share unique skills, and have a sense of autonomy in making camp a better place for everyone. In order to achieve this, all campers need to be able to feel physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually safe at camp while building the skills to navigate the amazing and sometimes uncomfortable journey of friendship. Campers are expected to exercise their “struggle muscles” by practicing conflict resolution skills at camp. We train our staff to facilitate and teach campers social strategies and techniques rooted in non-violent communication, psychological safety, and restorative justice practices to tackle friendships struggles as they arise.

When learning skills surrounding managing conflict, it is important for campers and families to understand the differences of feeling uncomfortable vs. being harmed or bullied. Ranch Camp uses a widely accepted definition of bullying that’s been adopted in many schools and American Camping Association accredited camps: “an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm” (VIC Government, 2024). The American Camping Association states that three elements must be present in bullying behavior: power, intent, and repetition. Our staff help campers walk the line of normal and developmentally appropriate struggles/challenges as opposed to bullying. We also establish behavior and social expectations and lay the groundwork for future conversations in the first few days of camp.

We ask that you help prepare your camper for this social environment by talking to them about:

• Bullying vs conflict; we recommend you read this article from the American Camping Association to understand our approach to managing conflict and preventing bullying
• What it means to belong to the Ranch Camp community
  • Everyone is a valued member of the Ranch Camp community.
  • Even when conflict happens, we will work to find a reentry point into the community through restorative justice practices.
  • The community they are entering or returning to: We take care of each other and treat each other with kindness and respect. Our camp community uplifts each other. For this to remain true, we must have the commitment of all members of our community to never tolerate anything less.
• Discomfort is ok and normal. Sometimes friendships are uncomfortable and challenging. They should talk to their counselor if they need help resolving whatever is feeling uncomfortable. Review this tool to talk about the differences between conflict and bullying
• Let them know that every bunk creates a ‘brit’ or, in English, a contract, at the start of their session to set ground rules. Brainstorm ideas with your camper that they might add as an important rule to their cabin’s brit.

We want Ranch Camp to be a place that is physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe for all campers and staff. If your camper is feeling nervous about making friends, feel free to call and check in with us anytime. The Ranch Camp Admin Team and our incredible Camper Care Team are available by email and phone during the summer to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

The best luggage is a large, top-open duffel bag or trunk. Most items will be unpacked onto shelf space in the cabin. Extra items can be kept in their bags and stored under their bed. Please make sure your camper helps pack for camp so they feel comfortable knowing what they have and where everything is located. Don’t be concerned about buying a new trunk or fancy duffle bag for camp. The suitcases and/or duffel bags that you may already have are just fine. Campers unpack into shelves and luggage is stored under beds or outside of the bunk. If you do send a trunk, please try to make sure it has wheels! 

Traveling via Airport: When it comes to getting luggage to and from camp, some families choose to send some or all of their luggage via delivery services such as UPS. This can, sometimes, cost less than checking a bag. If you choose to do this, let us know to expect the bag and we will make sure it is ready for your camper when they arrive. If you would like a camper’s luggage shipped from camp, you can arrange for pickup with UPS and have a label sent to us which we will affix to the bag. 

Leave electronic devices and anything with a screen at home. Ranch Camp prides itself on being a completely screen-free environment. If your camper needs access to an electronic device at camp, please contact us. If your camper brings an electronic device to camp, it will be kept in the office until their camp session ends.  

Traveling via Airport: Devices and cell phones are okay for travel to and from camp, but we will hang on to them until it’s time to travel home. We’ll make sure all devices are charged and ready for departure day. 

Label EVERYTHING with your camper’s full name – even if you don’t think it needs a label – like toothpaste – it needs a label. Labeling with initials is not sufficient. Any unlabeled items found at the end of the session will be donated. Label, label, label with your camper’s FULL NAME. 

We do our very best to ensure that your camper returns home with all the items they came to camp with but lost and found is inevitable. All lost and found items that ARE LABELED with a camper’s first and last name will be available for pick up at the JCC in Denver in August after the camp season closes. All lost and found items that ARE NOT LABELED with a camper’s first and last name will be donated to a local thrift store or charity after the camp season closes.

Remember: please send LOTS of sunscreen, pre-addressed stationery, stamps, toothpaste, and other toiletries.

A HAT and WATER BOTTLE are musts! Sending extra hats and water bottles in case they are misplaced gets bonus points because all campers must have both all day, every day at camp. 

These items are CRITICAL for your child to have a safe and enjoyable summer:

• At least two full-sized water bottles
• Sunscreen (MUST be labeled with first and last names)
• Closed-toe shoes and clothes for active programming 

A Few Items NOT to Bring:

Some items can cause environmental or behavioral problems at camp and are not allowed due to licensing. Please read this list carefully and ensure that NONE of these items make it into your camper’s luggage. We need your partnership with packing to make certain that the camp has a fun, safe, and clean environment.

• Food! (please reach out to our team if you have a camper who would benefit from bringing their ‘comfort’ foods to camp)
• Money (other than for plane travel)
• Cell phones, electronic games, e-readers, and iPods (other than for air travel or bar/bat mitzvah studies)
• Silly string, stink bombs, and other gag gifts/toys that are disruptive to group living
• Weapons of any shape or size, including knives
• Roller blades and/or skateboards
• Clothing that advertises alcohol, sex, drugs, violence, or cigarettes
• Digital Cameras are allowed, though not recommended and Ranch Camp is not responsible for any loss or damage. 

Lost and Found 

Although we do our very best to ensure that your camper returns home with all the items they came to camp with, lost and found is inevitable. We will do our best to reunite you with any lost items in line with our lost and found guidelines:  

We will have a lost and found table on departure day. Please make sure to take a look through before you leave with your camper. 

All lost and found items that ARE LABELED with a camper’s first and last name will be available for pick up at the JCC in Denver in August after the camp season closes. 

• We will provide a photo album of all of the labeled lost and found items. This will be available on CampInTouch in August after all sessions are through. 

• Unfortunately, it is not likely that we can help you reunite with your lost item during the summer. 

• If you have lost a high value item, please reach out to us. Chances are, we have it and have noted it. 

If you are an out-of-state family with labeled lost and found, please let us know, and we can mail your lost items to you. We will charge your CampInTouch account for any required postage. 

All lost and found items that ARE NOT LABELED with a camper’s first and last name will be donated to a local thrift store or charity after the camp season closes. 

We CANNOT search for lost items that are not labeled with a camper’s first and last name. Ranch Camp is not responsible for lost or damaged personal property 

How do you communicate with your camper? 
Ranch Camp is a screen-free environment, so the best, and only, way to communicate with your camper is through mail! Mail is delivered every day except for on Saturday (Shabbat). We encourage you to write to your camper daily or as often as you can. There are few things as exciting as receiving messages from home, especially when bunkmates are receiving mail as well. There are a few ways to communicate with your camper while they are at camp: sending snail mail, sending CampStamp emails, or sending a care package.

1. Snail Mail: Trust us when we say nothing will bring a bigger smile to your camper’s face than receiving a letter from home. Please keep in mind that our local post office is a small-town operation, and we have experienced some slow mail service in the past. We suggest sending your camper a letter or two before camp begins or dropping off a couple of letters with a staff member on arrival day so that they’ll have mail waiting for them at camp.
2. Camp Stamp Emails: You can also email your camper while they are at camp. Although campers do not have internet access and cannot email back, they will receive printed emails with their snail mail. You can send Camp Stamp Emails through your CampInTouch Account from the “Email” link. (Please note that emailing through this capacity will not reach our staff. If you have questions or concerns for staff, please email ranchcamp@jccdenver.org.
3. Care Packages: Every camper is allowed to receive 1 package per session. Our goal is to relieve campers of package anxiety, relieve caregivers of the pressure to send them, and reduce the amount of waste generated from packages. Any additional packages that a camper receives will be held in the camp office and available for pick up at the end of the session. You may send non-food items such as games, cards, etc. The best care packages include things that the entire cabin can participate in together. DO NOT SEND FOOD OR ANYTHING EDIBLE IN CARE PACKAGES! Food in bunks attracts critters and interferes with our allergen-friendly environment and Kashrut supervision policies. Any food sent in care packages will be confiscated and thrown away.

Please Send All Mail and Packages to: 

Camper’s Name 
Bunk # 
JCC Ranch Camp 
21441 N Elbert Rd 
Elbert CO 80106 

If you would like to send mail ahead of time and do not know the bunk assignment yet (we send it out the night before), please just address the mail with your camper’s name. We will sort it to the right place!

How does your camper communicate with you? 

Campers will be able to send you letters! To help us encourage your camper to write home and make the letter-writing process easy, you can send pre-addressed envelopes, stationery, and stamps. Ranch Camp delivers all outgoing mail to the Elbert Post office daily (except Sundays). If you get a letter asking for a replacement of an essential item, like toothpaste or shampoo, odds are that we noticed, and we have already replaced the item. Call us before you send these items.

Campers are not permitted to call home or have visitors during their time at camp with the exception of emergency situations.

Communicating With Our Team About Your Camper 
We know that parents and caregivers miss their campers as much as, or even more than, campers miss home while they are at camp. We want you to feel confident about your camper’s time at camp and we are committed to communicating with you about your camper during their session. We will follow up with all emails and phone calls within 24 hours of receiving them. There are several ways that you can stay in the loop while your camper is at camp.

1. Checking Out Photos: We’ll upload about 100 photos in CampInTouch every other day that will give you a glimpse into the day-to-day happenings at camp. Photos will include group and individual shots of activities, cabin programs, all camp programs, and more. We only have satellite internet at camp, which requires us to travel offsite to upload photos. We appreciate your patience as photos get uploaded during your camper’s session. Photos are not uploaded on Shabbat.
   • To access photos, please log in to your CampInTouch account and navigate to the “Photos” section.
   • Photos from backpacking trips (Toshavim, TASC, Pack n’ Ride & Teen Village) will be uploaded before the end of the camp session. The priority when those campers return to camp is getting them de-geared and debriefed safely.
2. Blog Posts and Social Media: Every week, we will post one blog written by staff members at camp to share the story of camp with you on our website and social media pages. We’ll also post on our social media accounts four times a week sharing the highlights of each day. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok @jccranchcamp.
3. First Time Camper Calls and Camper Updates: If your camper is attending Ranch Camp for the first time, you’ll receive one “First Time Camper Update Call” within the first five days of their session. (If you have a camper attending a Mini Camp or ShaiVenture, you’ll receive your “First Time Camper Update Call” about halfway through the session at Ranch Camp). Additionally, all parents and caregivers will receive an email about halfway through their camper’s session with a progress note about your camper’s unit and cabin. If your camper is at camp for a full session, you will also get an individualized update about your camper in this progress note.
4. We will call you if your camper:
   • Is struggling to overcome challenges outside of a normal time frame (i.e. intense and excessive missing home).
   • Is struggling to overcome social/emotional challenges outside of a normal time frame.
   • Is unable to follow the rules outlined in the Camper Conduct Agreement after being provided with our structure of intervention and support from our Camper Care Team.
   • Is causing or expresses intent to cause harm to self, others, or the space around them.
   • Has to spend the night in the Clinic, needs to be taken home to recover, requires a new prescription medication while at camp, or needs to be seen by a healthcare professional outside of camp.
   • Is a frequent visitor to our Clinic.
   • Frequently needs additional or unanticipated support from our Camper Care Team.
   • You WILL NOT be contacted for minor physical or emotional health issues, such as scrapes, non-repetitive headaches or stomachaches, normal levels of missing home or social conflict, etc.