Enjoy a long weekend of immersive wilderness experiences and learning, sharing Shabbat with new friends, and enjoying the stunning beauty of Colorado. Jump into a comprehensive, guided trip designed to create an accessible experience for novice backcountry adventurers looking to learn new skills and experienced campers looking to enjoy a weekend with new friends.

When? July 11th –13th 2025

Where? Launching from the Denver JCC and exploring the Arapaho National Forest near Grand Lake, CO.

Who? Anyone in the Colorado young adult community who wants to enjoy a Jewish backcountry weekend and celebrate Shabbat.

Why? Ranch Camp has been creating amazing backcountry adventures for over 30 years, and we know how these experiences can create friendships, act as self-care, and lead to connection with Judaism. This young adult weekend extends that opportunity to novice hikers and rugged adventurers alike to enjoy a meaningful Shabbat escape.

Zoom Information Session: We will be hosting a zoom information session for all registrants prior to the trip on June 23rd at 7:00 pm. This is where we will go over the exact itinerary, share packing tips, and answer all of your questions.

Sliding-Scale Pricing:

We are proud to offer a sliding-scale pricing model. The sliding-scale pricing model allows JCC Denver to offer programming that is accessible to anyone regardless of their access to wealth. Everyone deserves to be able to participate!

Tier 1: $150

Tier 2: $200

Tier 3: $250

Gear rental: $25 (includes…)

Covers all expenses of the three-day, two-night trip, including comprehensive guiding services, Shabbat programing, all meals, and group use equipment

Need-based financial assistance available – please email ranchcamp@jccdenver.org for more information.

Participants are asked to be honest in evaluating their own circumstances and self-selecting the pricing tier that is right for them. In short, you should select a pricing tier based on the simplified criteria below.

Tier 1: If you stress about basic needs, but rarely miss them.
Tier 2: You are not worried about basic needs and have some expendable income.
Tier 3: You maintain a high standard of living and have access to expendable income.

For more details on selecting your sliding scale tier, click here. 

Based on decades of summer-camp trip experience, we are excited to bring you in on the adventure.

We will meet at the Denver JCC at 12:00 pm on Friday, July 11th where we will prepare for the trip and set off into the mountains. Get ready to experience a nature-based Shabbat program and set-up camp on Friday night.

On Saturday, we will continue Shabbat, do lots of group hiking, learn about the environment, and have a solo experience.

We aim to return to the Denver JCC by 3pm on Sunday July 13th.

More specific itinerary details will be shared a minimum of 30 days prior to the trip in accordance with US Forest Service regulations.

Tents

Group Tenting: We will provide group use tents for the entire trip, sleeping 3-6 participants. In your registration, you may select the gender identity you would prefer to tent with and name any tent buddies.

Personal Tents: If you would prefer to bring your own shelter for the trip (single person tent, hammock, or cowboy camping), please let us know in your registration.

Meals

Our backcountry meals are camper tested and approved! We serve nutritious and delicious camping meals, with plenty of instant coffee. We will provide Friday dinner, all meals on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. 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. All backcountry meals will be prepared Kosher-style dairy. If you have specific Kosher needs, please let us know, and we can accommodate.

Snacks and Supplemental Food: We will provide a variety of snacks during the trip, but feel free to bring some supplemental food to fuel yourself over the weekend. If you want your favorite protein bar or gummy candy, bring it along!

Itinerary and FAQs

Zoom Info Session

How to register and Zoom information:

Click the link to register here! We will send out the link to the informational zoom call seven days before the scheduled date. The date and time for the informational zoom call will be announced soon.

Who will be guiding the trip?

This trip will be professionally led by JCC Ranch Camp trip guides. All trip guides are Wilderness First Responder certified, complete our own extensive wilderness leadership training, and are experienced backcountry users. Your specific guides will be introduced in the Zoom informational call. All our guides are also young adults!

In addition, this trip will be joined by Daniel Siegel our JCC Denver Engagement Program Manager. Daniel has years of backcountry experience, will help lead us in Shabbat, and is responsible for amazing programs like the Jewish Deli Bike Tour.

Packing Lists!

Gear

1 Backpacking Pack

Should be properly fitting and about 55 liters.

1 Sleeping Bag

15-30 degree range that packs light and small

1 Foldable foam or inflatable sleeping pad

1 Pair of Hiking Boots

1 Mess Kit (Bowl, Fork/Knife/Spoon, Mug)

3 Liters of Water Storage

Must bring at least 1, 1 liter water bottle

May bring water bladder or additional water bottles

1 Headlamp with extra batteries

1 whistle

Clothing

1 pair of high-ankle, waterproof, comfortable hiking boots

2-3 pairs of hiking socks (Wool or polypropylene blend, wicking material)

2-3 pairs of non-cotton underwear

1-2 non-cotton t-shirts

1 warm hat for cold nights

1 non-cotton pair of gloves for cold weather

1 warm, non-cotton, long sleeve fleece

1 water-repellent rain jacket with hood

1 pair of non-cotton shorts for the trip

1 pair of hiking pants

1 pair of sunglasses

Jacket?

Toiletries

Sunscreen

Bug Spray

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Chapstick

Deodorant

Hair ties

Face/Body wipes (optional)

All toiletries should be small and packable. Avoid bringing any fragrances

Optional

Items for your Shabbat practice

Camera

Portable charger for cell phone

Cards or other group games

Books, journals, or other comfort items

Camping pillow

Supplemental Snacks

Provided by JCC Ranch Camp Guides

Tents

All-cooking equipment and water purification/filtration devices

Comprehensive first-aid equipment

Satellite communications devices for emergency use

Wilderness Hygiene / Toileting supplies

Do I have to be Jewish to attend?

No, you do not have to be Jewish to attend this trip. However, this trip is designed around creating a Shabbat experience in the Wilderness centered on Jewish practices and values.

I’m not a huge wilderness person. Is this the right program for me?

If you are looking to connect with other Jewish Young Adults with similar outdoorsy interests while enjoying nature, this is the right program for you!

We will spend time making sure all participants are comfortable with basic backcountry skills and maintaining a slower Shabbat-friendly place.

I have a lot of wilderness experience. Is this the right program for me?

If you are seeking to have an introductory backcountry experience while connecting with other Jewish young adults, this is the program for you!

While we will take the time to teach and ensure all participants are comfortable with necessary backcountry skills for this experience, it will also be an authentic backcountry experience, with no cell service, camping meals, shared tents, and plenty of hiking, not glamping!

We expect to hike up to 6 miles over the course of Saturday and 1-3 miles on Friday and Sunday. Each participant will carry a pack which may weigh up to 40 lbs.

What is the plan in case of emergency?

Your trip guides are trained in emergency response, including Wilderness First Responder certification. The trip will be equipped with complete first aid kits designed for wilderness use, as well as multiple satellite communications devices for emergency use.

If a participant needs to leave the backcountry early, trip guides will aid in their evacuation and coordinate or provide transportation.

In case of inclement weather, trail closures, or unforeseen events, we will make the best choices for participant safety which may include changing the route or itinerary, leaving the backcountry early, or cancelling the trip. In the case of cancellation, we will do our best to reschedule the trip dates.

Will there be cell phone service? How will we communicate?

There is typically minimal to no cell phone service in the area of this trip. Your trip guides will carry satellite communication devices for daily check-in with JCC Ranch Camp administration and emergency use only,

Take this as an opportunity to unplug and create authentic connections with this group!

I still have a lot of questions. Who can I talk to?

We are happy to talk with you about any questions you may have, registration details, or to determine if this is the right trip for you. You can reach out to ranchcamp@jccdenver.org for more information.