FAQs


Camp Activities

Jewish Life at Camp

We are all members of the Ramah community!

Health and Safety

Communicating

 

Camp Activities

What is Yom Sport?

Some people call it Maccabiah Day, Olympiada, or Mini-Olympics. Whatever you call it, it is great fun! The whole camp is divided into teams and everyone participates in a daylong competition of sporting, educational, dramatic, and swimming events. You'll take part in different activities all day: some with your own cabin and aidah-mates, and others with the entire camp!

Will we go on an overnight camping trip?

The overnight camping trip is a wonderful bonding experience for a cabin. At the beginning of the summer, each cabin is scheduled to go on an overnight trip. In the case that a trip is cancelled due to weather conditions, we will make every effort to reschedule it.

I am not a very good actor or singer. Can I be in a musical?

The musicals at camp are about more than just acting and singing. It is a great
project that helps the whole aidah to bond! Everyone has a role in the play. You can be in the chorus, help with scenery, be on tech crew, have a major part, help with choreography, or help people with their lines (which are all in Hebrew). The list goes on and on. And remember, everyone's a star at Camp Ramah!

What kinds of water sports are available at Camp Ramah?

Camp Ramah is located beautiful Lake Buckatabon. We use the lake for water sports like kayaking, canoeing, and sailing and our annual greased watermelon contest on Yom Sport. Thissummer campers can play aqua volleyball and jump on the totally awesome aqua trampoline! We also have rowboats that are great for enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Of course, everyone has swim class every day!

I play a musical instrument. Should I bring it to camp?

Yes! We even have a place to keep it so you don't have to worry about it getting lost or damaged. Bring sheet music - but leave the piano at home; it will be hard to fit in your luggage.

How do I choose my camp activities?

Shortly after you arrive in camp, you'll learn about all the activites offered for your age group. Your counselors will then help you choose two sports activities and two non-sport activities (i.e. woodworking, dance, radio, art). Full season campers will choose new activities four weeks later.

Jewish Life at Camp

Q:If I can't find my kippah, can I wear my baseball cap in tefillot or the chadar ochel?

Both praying and eating are holy acts in Judaism. Baseball caps are a fashion statement, not a religious one. All banim (boys) must wear a kippah during tefillot, in the chadar ochel and even during classes. Banot (girls) who wear a kippah in any of these settings are encouraged to do so.

In my congregation, both boys and girls wear talit and tefillin after bar/bat mitzvah.
What is the practice at camp?

One of the great things about camp is that it brings together people from many different synagogues and Jewish communities, with a variety of customs. At Ramah, boys are required to wear kipah, talit and tefillin in daily services. Camp is a great place for many girls to engage in the practice of wearing kipah, talit and tefilin, and girls who regularly wear them at home are strongly encouraged to continue to do so.

What am I allowed to do on Shabbat?

Shabbat at camp is one of the best parts of the summer. But Shabbat isn't just what we make of it - it is what you make of it as well. There are certain public behaviors that are not allowed on Shabbat and certain private behaviors that you can decide upon. The lights in public buildings and the main lights in your tzrif will not be turned on and off. You may use a personal flashlight. You can read a book but you cannot play music on your i-Pod or radio. You can get a drink of water but you can't buy a soda. You can go swimming and you can take a shower. You can play lots of sports and have a discussion with your aidah.

What should I bring to wear for Shabbat services?

Friday night services are a very special time at camp. The whole camp comes together for Mincha, Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv. We even have special music and dance presentations before Kabbalat Shabbat. What you wear is a personal choice, but there are certain guidelines that we have in order to create that special Shabbat ruach. Each person dresses nicely to show respect for Shabbat. Dress for all tefillot should be modest. All banim must cover their heads with a kippah. Banot are encouraged to wear a kippah. No sleeveless shirts are allowed - this includes spaghetti straps! We do not wear jeans to tefillot on Friday night or Saturday morning.

Yes!

  • button down shirts
  • khaki pants
  • sweaters
  • dresses
  • skirts
  • sweater sets
  • blouses

No!

  • micro mini skirts
  • tight fitting dresses
  • spaghetti straps (only permitted if you wear a jacket or a sweater)
  • jeans
  • bare midriffs

 

We are all members of the Ramah community!

I never do laundry at home, how does it get done at camp?

You should bring two laundry bags with you to camp. Laundry is sent out every Wednesday morning and comes back to camp on Friday. On Tuesday night you will put your laundry bag into a camp laundry bag which is marked with your ID. Then on Wednesday morning, you will place it at the designated spot to be picked up by the laundry service. Each bag of laundry is washed individually and comes back individually folded and shrink-wrapped. See, isn't that easy? Sorry, but dry cleaning is not an option.

My friend told me that he has to "meltz" at camp. What does that mean?

Meltzing, as it is commonly known, means to take a turn being the waiter at your table in the chadar ochel. A meltzer will set up the table before a meal, get refills during the meal and clean up afterwards. Everyone takes turns during the summer according to the system on your tzrif's nikayon chart. All meltzarim must wear long pants and closed shoes when they are meltzing.

My friends and I like to play cards on our mirpeset (porch). Can we play for small bets?

You can certainly play cards at camp, but betting or gambling with money is illegal and not permitted.

My birthday is in July. Can my parents send me a birthday cake?

Every camper who has a birthday during the summer gets a personalized birthday cake made by our own baker. You will have a party with your cabin and you can call home to hear your parents sing "Happy Birthday" to you!

Camp is such a beautiful place, how can I help to keep it that way?

With the help of campers and staff, we have instituted a serious recycling program at camp. Look for the michzor bins for your aluminum cans and talk to your madrich/a or rosh aidah about how to recycle paper and plastic goods. We all pitch in several times a week taking turns doing nikui hamachaneh. Also, don't throw your garbage on the ground! Make sure that you put it in a garbage can.

The Nivonim cabins are so cool with everyone's names written all over. Why can't
we do that in our cabin?

To many of us, camp is like a second home. We may be tempted to do things at camp that we wouldn't normally do simply because we feel so comfortable there. It is important that the buildings and furniture in camp remain in good shape for all of the campers who will be using them after you. Graffiti is not attractive and doesn't add to the beauty of camp. Therefore, graffiti is not permitted in the cabins or any other place in camp. If you graffiti your name on something you will receive a fine and you will have to clean it off. Find a more creative and positive way to "leave your mark" on camp!

When we go on our yitziah (outing), how do I withdraw some of my
spending money from the business office?

All of the money that you bring to camp should be deposited in the office to insure that it does not get lost. We recommend that you bring up to $20 ($10 for Garinim and Halutzim) with you to cover the cost of soda and an occasional outing. When you need your money, you can go to the office after dinner and take out the amount you need. You should never keep more than $5 in the tzrif. If you need change for the soda machine, you can always get quarters from the office.

Is it okay if I wear earrings at camp?

Judaism views the human body as a holy vessel that should be treated with respect. At camp, staff members and campers are only allowed to wear earrings in their ears. We do not allow any other piercing, such as: belly button rings, tongue piercing, eyebrow rings, nose rings, etc. If you come to camp wearing body-piercing rings, you will be asked to remove them for the summer. Campers are also not allowed to pierce any body parts while at camp.

What do I do if I have a problem with another camper?

Spending a summer at camp means learning to live in a diverse community. You live in a cabin with campers from all over the Midwest and are involved with an even larger group of kids in your aidah. There are many ways that we try to keep camp relationships healthy and respectful. Here are some different issues that may come up and some suggestions on how to deal with them:

  • Talk, don't hit! When you get really angry, never hit another person. Walk away from the situation and seek out someone to talk to after you have cooled down. Talk it out with a friend, counselor, rosh aidah or a staff member who you feel comfortable with.
  • If you can't say something nice, don't say it at all! Ever hear that from your parents or teachers?  Well, it is really true. What you say can be hurtful to others so choose your words carefully.

Think before you make a rude comment to another camper about their appearance or a rumor you might have heard.

Health and Safety

What happens if I get sick at camp?

Camp has a fully staffed Mirpa'ah (infirmary-often called the Marp). Every day
there is a regular sick call for campers who don't feel well. You'll check in with the nurse and be seen by one of our camp doctors. There is a nurse and doctor on campus at all times. If you don't feel well during the night or outside of sick call, talk to your counselor first.

I take medicine every day. Can I keep it in my cabin so it is easier to take?

No, the state of Wisconsin does not allow any medicine to be kept in your cabin, including Tylenol or any other over-the-counter drug. Campers who take medicine go to the marp (infirmary) to take their medicine according to the schedule. Campers may keep their inhalers or Epi-pens as directed by their doctors.

What if there is no plug by my bed and I need to plug in my fan? Can I plug my extension cord into the wall so we can all use the plug?

Extension cords are a major fire hazard. The electrical system at camp is not wired to handle large overloads. One of the great opportunities at camp is to learn to solve
problems in your cabin and to create a community with your cabin mates. So, how can you solve this problem? How do you share the plugs in the cabin? You'll figure it out together. But here's the final answer - no extension cords are allowed in camp! (Helpful hint: Buy a battery-operated fan.)

I love the talent show and picnic on the 4th of July, but it just isn't the same
without fireworks. Couldn't we light just one little sparkler?

Fire is a serious danger at camp. One little sparkler, one little match, one plate of burning incense could start a fire that would not only impact the camp but the beautiful forest that surrounds us as well. We must do everything we can to avoid a fire.

Therefore, fireworks, incense and candles are not allowed in the cabins or even outside at camp.

Is smoking permitted at camp?

No, campers are not allowed to smoke at camp. If you are caught smoking at camp it could result in a phone call to your parents and you may be sent home.

I am always hungry. Can I bring my own snacks to camp?

In addition to the three meals we eat a day, there are three snacks to keep your energy up! Snacks will be handed out in the late morning, the afternoon and after peulat erev. Campers are not allowed to bring any food to camp or to store food in the cabin.

What if my morning snack was so good that I am not hungry for lunch. Is it okay if
I just rest in my cabin during lunch?

Camp is a busy place and everybody is on a busy schedule. Unfortunately, it is not up to you to decide whether or not to come to a meal. Everyone must attend all meals from birkat hamotzi through birkat hamazon.

I don't know how to make my bed. Can I sleep in my sleeping bag?

Eventually, we all have to learn how to change our sheets and make our bed. Now is the time. Everyone's bed must have a bottom and top sheet, as well as a blanket. You can use your sleeping bag as a blanket but it must be unzipped. Sleeping in a zipped sleeping bag would be dangerous if you needed to leave the cabin quickly.

Can I leave the camp's grounds at any time during the summer?

During the summer you will have several opportunities to leave camp: for your yitziah (a trip out of camp with your aidah to a park and maybe a movie or other fun activity) and for your overnight trip. If you like to run, don't plan to leave camp to go jog on the road. All jogging must be done on the "loop" road within camp. No one can leave the camp's grounds for any reason without the permission of the camp director.

Communicating

I love camp, but I miss my family and friends. When do I get to use the phone?

We all love to talk on the phone! It is so great to hear someone's voice and tell them about all the fun things going on at camp. There are a limited number of phones at camp and lots of people who want to use them. If you have a special occasion during the summer - such as your birthday or a family simcha - you will have an opportunity to call home. Don't forget that you will need a counselor to accompany you to the phone and you'll need a signed note from your Rosh Aidah when you call. Sometimes the lines can be long, but be patient-you may make a new friend with the camper waiting next to you!

I can never go a whole summer without TV, computers, and my cell phone. How will
I ever survive?

All of us rely heavily on technology during the year. It can enhance and simplify our lives in the city. At camp, we focus on different things: building a community, making friends, being outdoors, playing sports, singing, studying and having a great time! You will probably watch a movie or two during the summer and maybe even catch a glimpse of a computer. But you can't bring your own movies or a laptop. In fact, there are a number of technological wonders that you can't bring to camp: refrigerators, microwaves, video cameras, pocket TVs, hot pots, electric guitar amps, walkie talkies and cell phones.

I packed all of these pens and stationery, what am I supposed to do with them?

With the invention of e-mail there aren't too many people writing letters with a pen and paper anymore. But a summer at camp is an opportunity to practice your creative writing skills in your letters to friends and family. You must write home at least once a week if you are in Bogrim or older and twice a week if you are younger. Your faxes count too! You will be able to receive e-mails during the summer. You'll have a lot to write about - new friends, great counselors and more!

There is a lot of Hebrew spoken at Camp. How am I going to understand what is
going on?

One of the founding missions of Camp Ramah was to introduce Hebrew as a living language. We learn Hebrew from the Israeli staff members at camp who work as teachers, counselors and specialists, by performing the plays in Hebrew and by making Hebrew the public language of the camp. Certain words and phrases are used over and over, such as place names and numbers for telling time. Before you know it, you will be very familiar with the Hebrew at camp.