true vn-r - Camp Ramah in Canada

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Enduring friendships, values and community
TIPS FOR
SENDING
YOUR KIDS
TO CAMP!
SAMPLE DAILY
SCHEDULE
PACKING LIST
Inside!
Welcome
‫ברוך הבא‬
Dear Parents,
Camp Ramah in Canada empowers young people to become more independent, to gain an appreciation
of nature and the great outdoors, and to develop important individual and team skills.
We recognize that our youngest campers require a little more time and attention to help them achieve these
goals each summer. This is why we arrange their cabins differently, treat their staff training and supervision
differently, and double our efforts to orient young campers and their families to the “Ramah Experience” even
before the summer begins. “Ra’Mah Koreh?” represents one of these orientation efforts. We hope you find
it useful!
Baruch Haba – We can’t wait for your child to begin their Ramah journey this summer!
Dr. Ron Polster
Aviva Millstone
Camp Director
Assistant Director
Camp Ramah in Canada operates under the educational guidance of the National Ramah Commission and the Jewish Theological
Seminary of America and is governed by the Camp Ramah in Canada Committee.
2
Nitzanim Sample Daily
Schedule
‫ קימה‬Kimah (Wake Up)
8:00 AM ‫תפילה‬
Tfilah (Prayers
)
8:45 AM ‫בוקר‬
‫ ארוחת‬Aruchat Boker (B
reakfast)
9:30 AM ‫נקיון‬
Nikayon (Clea
n Up Time)
10:00 AM‫שראל‬
‫ תרבות י‬Tarbut Israel (I
11:00 AM ‫צריף‬
‫ פעולת‬Peulat Tzrif (Cabin sraeli Culture)
Activity)
11:45 AM ‫סנק‬
Snack
12:00 PM ‫פורט‬
‫ ס‬Sport
1:00 PM ‫הריים‬
‫ ארוחת צ‬Aruchat Tzohor
aim (Lunch)
1:30 PM ‫מנוחה‬
Menucha (Res
t Time)
2:00 PM ‫שחייה‬
Schiya (Swimm
ing Lessons)
3:00 PM ‫אגם‬
Agam (Boatin
g)
4:00 PM ‫סנק‬
Snack
4:30 PM ‫חוגים‬
Chugim (Elect
ives)
5:30 PM ‫הדות‬
‫ י‬Yehadut (Jewish Learn
6:45 PM
‫ ארוחת ﬠרב‬Aruchat Erev ing)
7:45 PM
‫ פעולת ﬠרב‬Peulat Erev (N (Dinner)
8:45 PM
‫ לילה טוב‬Lilah Tov (Goodnight Activity)
ight)
7:30 AM
3
A Note from our Parent Liaison
Elissa Kline-Beber, MSW, RSW
Shalom Parents,
ber of experts
turn on the TV… you will hear any num
pen a newspaper, listen to the radio,
n — among them,
-button issues pertaining to childre
hot
t
ren
cur
of
ge
ran
a
on
in
g
ghin
wei
lying behavior, and
ing resilient children, coping with bul
a growing focus on mindfulness, rais
media and, as a
ost everything. As I listen to popular
alm
l,
wel
on,
ime
en-t
scre
of
act
the imp
ional literature, I often
nces and comb through my profess
school social worker, I attend confere
course, that this is
SLEEPOVER CAMP! Recognizing, of
TO
EM
TH
D
SEN
—
king
thin
elf
find mys
of a child at sleepover
stion in my mind that the experience
an oversimplification, there is no que
nging.
powerful, and, for many kids, life-cha
camp can be incredibly important and
lives — that they will
dren will have the summer of their
Our hope and charge is that your chil
wonder of
nature and experience the awe and
with
t
nec
con
lly
dfu
min
to
nity
ortu
have the opp
summer gaining
rn Ontario… That they will spend the
being in the natural beauty of northe
ty nets…
in the absence of their parental safe
ges
llen
cha
new
e
igat
nav
y
the
as
independence
moving, without a
side swimming, running, biking and
That they will spend the summer out
pathizing, and
e the essential skills of sharing, em
screen in sight.... That they will hon
ironment. I will say it
summer in an intrinsically social env
communicating as they spend their
found gift you are
you themselves: thank you for the pro
for them, in case they forget to tell
m to Machane Ramah!
giving your children by sending the
digits, you
As the countdown heads into single
n come
ofte
t
may notice the mixed feelings tha
may be
with new beginnings. New campers
ad.
ahe
feeling the uncertainty of what lies
pe their
Remind your camper that they will sha
ing
ryth
own experience; they should try eve
te your
that Ramah has to offer. Communica
kne
homesic ss that
they need to manage the late night
ls
skil
the
all
e
hav
y
the
t
tha
nce
confide
peer. Remind them
mer or the inevitable conflict with a
may arise at the beginning of the sum
ical skills needed
how they feel are among the most crit
ting
nica
mu
com
and
help
for
ing
that ask
p… and through life.
to help navigate through summer cam
munication
do arise. To facilitate home/camp com
es
issu
and
ns
stio
que
r,
me
sum
During the
yoetzet, please call
). If you wish to speak to your child’s
we have three yoatzot (parent liaisons
leave a message.
the camp office at 416-789-2193 to
mer with
aningful and incredibly awesome sum
me
ny,
sun
,
lthy
hea
a
to
ard
forw
k
We loo
your children.
Happy packing!
B’vracha,
Elissa Kline-Beber, MSW, RSW
O
The experience of a child at
sleepover camp can be incredibly
important and powerful, and,
for many kids, life-changing.
4
Tips for Young Camper Families
Before Your Child Goes to Camp
• Encourage as many sleepovers at friends’ homes
as possible (group sleepovers are even better).
• If your children don’t have friends going with them,
get in touch with Ramah and try and arrange for a
play date with one or two other kids.
• Discuss strategies with your child if they have a
difficult time falling asleep or wake up early
(i.e. reading, drawing).
• You may want to pack a letter in their bag for them
to open when they arrive at camp
• Send a letter to camp a couple of days before they
leave so they will get it soon after they arrive.
• Send your camper with stationery, stamps, and
address labels for anyone that they might want to
write to while at camp.
• If your child does not already make his/her own
bed on a daily basis, they will at camp so you might
want to start getting them in the habit now.
• If your child is accustomed to taking baths at home,
please get them familiar with taking showers before
camp starts.
What to do While Your Child
Is Away at Camp
• Write letters frequently but keep them light
and upbeat. E-mailing your child through the
CampInTouch portal is also an option, but please
note that campers cannot e-mail back.
Important Tips to Share with Your Child
• Help your child set realistic expectations… Let your
child know when they are at home, or in school, not
every day is perfect. Likewise, not every day at camp
will be perfect, but overall they will have a good time.
• Send your child with something that allows them
to feel safe and familiar at night…a blanket, stuffed
animal, or other item.
• If your child is feeling anxious about going off to
camp, you can talk about other times that your child
experienced anxiety and ended up getting through
the situation just fine.
• As we say at Ramah, “Camp starts on the bus”…
the send-off at the bus is easy for some and difficult
for others. If your child has any friends going to
camp, try to arrange for them to sit together on the
same bus.
• Don’t send your children with things like food,
iPhones (or any other wireless capable devices),
and other items that are not allowed. These items
will be confiscated and then your children are stuck
in the situation of having to start camp by having
a counselor take something away from them.
Understandably, some children may require a
phone for travel to and from camp. Campers will be
required to give them to their counselors upon their
arrival in camp. They will be kept in the office safe
and returned at the end of their session. We want
camp to be a place of giving and sharing.
• Be matter-of-fact about your day (kids like to know
what you are doing but not that you are having too
much fun).
• Add as much humour as you can.
• Try not to emphasize how much you miss them.
Mail letters to:
• If you have concerns about your camper, contact the
yoetzet (parent liaison) by email or phone and they
will get back to you as soon as they can, typically
within 24 hours.
Child’s Name
1104 Fish Hatchery Road
Utterson, Ontario
Canada P0B 1M0
5
Packing List
propriate
ve sufficient and ap
ha
rs
pe
m
ca
at
th
s
two week supply of
alth and cleanlines
r with a suggested
e standpoint of he
pe
th
m
m
ca
can
e
fro
th
nt
e
id
rta
ov
po
d to pr
It is im
in a cabin, items
cking list is designe
the city. And often
pa
in
ng
an
r
wi
th
be
llo
ar
fo
em
e
we
m
Th
er
ease re
es hard
clothing.
thing to camp. Pl
a child gives cloth
clo
p,
of
m
s
ca
le
At
tic
ar
g.
in
ive
th
e
ns
efor
washable clo
u do not send expe
puddles. It is ther
commend that yo
dy and filled with
re
e
ud
m
W
e
g.
m
in
co
iss
be
m
n
go
p roads ca
mmended.
at camp, the cam
s are strongly reco
ot
Bo
.
ar
wear a
that when it rains
we
in
ra
of
rtant that your child
ing waterpro
br
po
im
ild
is
ch
it
ur
n,
yo
su
at
e
th
critical th
child has a hat
d with exposure to
e certain that your
e dangers involve
ak
th
m
to
e
se
ea
Du
Pl
n:
.
es
tio
iti
ec
r activ
water guns are
Sun Prot
een during outdoo
(Please note that
cr
e.
ns
ttl
su
bo
r
ive
te
ct
wa
fe
a
ef
d
an
hat as well as
pply of sunscreen,
play, an ample su
e
tiv
ac
r
S CAREFULLY.
fo
e
EM
bl
IT
ita
L
su
EASE LABE
PL
.)
ed
at
sc
nfi
co
ll be
prohibited and wi
inued
BEDDING cont
CLOTHING
13 years and
andatory for boys
(m
lin
fil
te
d
an
it
al
T
others)
older, optional for
l for girls)
ry for boys, optiona
to
da
an
(m
t
po
kip
4
irts
4 long-sleeve T-sh
shirts
8 short-sleeved Tld be
gth of shorts shou
6 shorts (Girls len
er)
mid thigh or long
2 pairs of jeans
ants
4 pairs of sweatp
weatshirts
4 light sweaters/s
rwear
15 pairs of unde
15 pairs of socks
as
3 pairs of pajam
Tankini’s.
irls – one-piece or
4 bathing suits (G
ed )
Bikinis are not allow
2 sun hats
t or hood
1 raincoat with ha
1 bathrobe
s
1 pair of rain boot
1 pair of slippers
/beach shoes
1 pair of shower
/hiking)
nning or sneakers
(ru
s
oe
sh
of
irs
pa
2
bat clothing
Appropriate Shab
d Khakis
ton down Shirts an
Boys – Polo/But
ress and
irt or nice pants (d
Girls – Dress, Sk
t)
ba
longer for Shab
skirt mid-thigh or
ng.
ve
covered for da ni
Shoulders must be
BEDDING
2–3 blankets
1 sleeping bag
sheets)
4 sheets (2 fitted
6
2–3 pillow cases
1 pillow
TOILET ARTICLES
/shower)
7–8 towels (beach
2 face cloths
camp
be supplied by the
laundry bag will
1 brush & comb
oap container)
2 bars of soap (s
hpaste
toothbrush, toot
x, deodorant
shampoo, Kleene
)
(minimum SPF 30
sunscreen lotion
n
ee
ray sunscr
** Recommend sp
insect repellent
il
1 toilet bag or pa
OTHER ITEMS
ils)
erial (paper, penc
Letter writing mat
ressed are
dd
, envelopes (self-a
Canadian stamps
m the camp
will be available fro
helpful) – Stamps
dard postage cost
office for the stan
ents
Musical instrum
era
Inexpensive cam
s
rtable games, ches
Books, cards, po
oves, tennis
t (balls, baseball gl
en
pm
ui
eq
ic
et
hl
At
racquets, etc.)
tteries
Flashlight and ba
Water Bottle
ed
Laundry is provid
ekly
we
rs
pe
to all cam
in
th
wi
ed
and return
24 hours.
es
Maximum of 2 piec
s
nk
tru
o
N
of luggage.
allowed.
Packing Tips & Advice
Do I pack my child’s favorite t-shirt? What if it gets lost? Should I send up enough pairs of socks for
one per day or more? What’s the best way to label clothing? These may be a few of the questions
going through your mind as you begin the packing process. Below are a few tips offered by veteran
camp parents who have perfected the art of packing for camp. And yes, it is most certainly an art!
• Pack WITH your child, not at night after he or she
is fast asleep. You may be surprised about what
clothing items your child doesn’t want to leave home
without. More importantly this helps familiarize
them with what is in their luggage so that upon
arrival at camp when they begin the unpacking
process it’s easy for them to pull out their bedding
to make their bed and to locate pajamas and
whatever else they may need.
• Provide tools for organization. If you can imagine
that your child’s cubby may easily become a black
hole of clothing where it could be challenging to
find a pair of clean socks, you may want to consider
sending up certain items like socks and underwear
in mesh laundry bags. • Ziplock bags are your friend! Use them for:
• Underwear – send extra
• Socks – send extra
• Shabbat Outfits
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Sunscreen/Insect Repellant
• Pack a waterproof basket for all of your child’s
toiletries. Once at camp, the counselors will
instruct your child to put their toiletries into this
basket, and it will be used daily to help keep your
child organized and to carry the items to and from
the showers. If you have not purchased this before,
Wal-Mart usually has this item.
• Order sticker nametags 6 weeks before packing
from a website like mabelslabels.com.
• Label, label, label. Use sticker labels or iron-on
labels to label everything that you send with your
child (including the clothing they wear on the bus).
Believe it or not, the stickers stay on even after
numerous washings. Please take the time to label
everything you are sending up to camp including
water bottles, flashlights, even shoes.
• Food in the cabin is strictly prohibited for the
following reasons:
• It encourages unwanted visits from bugs and
animals,
• It can create conflict amongst campers,
• I t raises health and safety concerns regarding
allergies, and
•It can cause discomfort and concern around
levels of kashrut.
In addition to three meals a day, we provide campers
with at least two snacks daily. Please do not send any
food to camp with your child; it will be confiscated.
Hot Pots, hot plates, and any electrical heating devices
are also prohibited in cabins and will be confiscated.
• Spending Money: Camp operates a kiosk (Tuck
shop) with snacks and beverages. Campers will
have the opportunity to choose a few treats twice
a week, which is included as part of the camper
tuition fee. We therefore ask campers not to bring
cash to camp. Any cash or valuables brought to
camp must be placed in the camp safe for safekeeping. Our insurance does not cover loss or theft
of cash or valuables in cabins.
• Technology: For camps, technology is a quandary.
It is an integral part of all of our lives, yet it can also
be pervasive and all-consuming. At camp, where
we aim to strengthen interpersonal connection,
growth, and independence, technology simply gets
in the way. For two months, we want to protect our
campers’ ability to play and engage unencumbered
by a device. To that end, any communication
devices are strictly prohibited. This includes all cell
phones, blackberries, iPhones, computers, and
iPads, etc... Any mobile device found at camp will
be confiscated. We appreciate your assistance in
requiring your children to give you their phone
before they leave for camp. In doing so, you save
us and your children the discomfort of having to
confront this issue at camp. (Understandably,
some children may require a phone for travel to
and from camp. Campers will be required to give
them to their counselors upon their arrival in camp.
They will be kept in the office safe and returned at
the end of their session.)
7
8
CAMP RAMAH WORD SEARCH
NITZANIM
SHORASHIM
GARINIM
CAMPRAMAH
CHADAR
RUACH
TEFILLOT
TZEVET
TZRIF
EDAH
YAHADUT
BAMA
Word Games
WORD SCRAMBLE
Try your best to unscramble the words
below! B’hatzlacha! (good luck)
1. OMY SOTRP
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
2. HORS HEAD
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
3. HTABSAB
__ __ __ __ __ __ __
4. MAAG
__ __ __ __
5. EATRG HRMAA
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
6. EIC MREAC
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
7. UAAHSVH AABSBA
__ __ __ __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __ __ __
Word Scramble Key: 1. YOM SPORT, 2. ROSH EDAH, 3. SHABBAT, 4. AGAM, 5. ETGAR RAMAH,
6. ICE CREAM, 7. SHAVUAH SABABA
9
Who Will Take Care of My Child at Camp?
Camp Director – Dr. Ron Polster
Assistant Director – Aviva Millstone
Yoetzet – Parent Liaisons
Quick
Tip!
You can let your child know that
there will always be someone he
or she can turn to if something is
bothering them.
10
Rosh Edah – Unit Head
Madrichim – Counselors
Hebrew Words Commonly Used at Camp
Garinim – edah for completing 1st graders
ohbhrd
oharua
ohbmhb
Nitzanim – edah for completing 3rd and 4th graders
ohzrt Arazim – edah for completing 5th graders
ohrhpf Kfirim – edah for completing 6th graders
ohrhgm
Tzirim – edah for completing 7th graders
ohbuajb
vue,
Tikvah – edah for campers with special needs
ohnhadn Magshimim – edah for completing 9th graders
ohbukt
Shorashim – edah for completing 2nd graders
Nachshonim – edah for completing 8th graders
Alonim – edah for completing 10th graders
;hrm Tzrif – Cabin
vsg
Edah – Unit
,uum
Tzevet – Staff
lhbj
Chanich – Camper
lhrsn vsg atr
Madrich – Counselor
Rosh Edah – Unit Head
kfut rsj Chadar Ochel – Dining Hall
Marp – Infirmary
vtprn kusd og ,hc Beit Am Gadol – Big Gymnasium
Agam – Lake
odt crg ,kugp
Peulat Erev – Evening Program
iuheb
Nikayon – Cleaning
vrha
Shira – Singing
suehr Rikud – Dancing
11
Enduring friendships, values and community
Year Round Address
Summer Address
Camp Ramah in Canada
3845 Bathurst Street, Suite 310
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M3H 3N2
Tel: 416-789-2193
Fax: 416-789-3970
Email: info@campramah.com
Camp Ramah in Canada
1104 Fish Hatchery Road
Utterson, Ontario
Canada P0B 1M0
Tel: 416-789-2193
Fax: 705-769-2167
Email: info@campramah.com
!
p
m
a
C
t
a
See You
Visit our website
www.campramah.com
for photos, videos and
tons of great information
for parents and
campers!
The National Ramah Commission acknowledges with thanks the generous support
of The AVI CHAI Foundation and the Zell Family Foundation in making this program possible.