Camps
Special Needs Programs
Overview of Ramah Programs for Children, Teens, and Young Adults with Special Needs
Since the first Tikvah program was established in 1970, the Ramah Camping Movement has been committed to providing a Jewish camping experience for children with a wide variety of special needs, with the goal of enhancing Jewish identity and teaching Jewish values in a supportive, inclusive, fun environment. At Ramah, campers with special needs have many opportunities to connect and participate in activities with campers throughout the camp. These interactions provide an exceptional benefit to everyone at Ramah by fostering in our campers a heightened sensitivity toward people different than themselves.
Which Ramah Special Needs Program Is Right for My Child?
Special needs programs at individual Ramah camps serve different populations of children and different age groups. Some camps offer programs to serve campers with various levels of cognitive delay; others offer programs for campers on the autism spectrum, including Asperger’s Syndrome. Several Ramah camps also offer post-high school vocational programs that are designed to maximize independent functioning within a supervised setting or a college campus. Regardless of their geographic location, families are directed to the regional Ramah camp that best suits their child’s needs.
To discuss the Ramah program offerings and to identify programs that may be a good fit for your family's needs, please contact the National Ramah office at (212) 678-8881.
Links to Additional Information
Special Needs Program Brochure
Descriptions of Current Ramah Special Needs Programs
Ramah Special Needs Programs in the News
History of Ramah's Special Needs Programs
Experiences of Participants in Ramah's Special Needs Programs (under construction)
Camp Ramah in the Berkshires (Wingdale, NY)
For children with ADHD and other related learning and social challenges, Ramah Berkshires offers Breira B’Ramah ("Choice in Ramah"), a four-week program designed for campers entering fourth through sixth grades. Breira campers are integrated into the regular Ramah day, guided by dedicated, trained staff. Breira campers receive ongoing socials skills guidance, support for achieving attainable goals, and the tools necessary to strengthen their Jewish identity like any other Ramah camper.
For additional information, contact Beth Jaret, PhD, Breira Director, at (201) 871-7262 x205.
Camp Ramah in California (Ojai, CA)
The Tikvah Program at Camp Ramah in California is designed for Jewish adolescents, ages 11 to 18, with learning, emotional, and developmental disabilities. The program consists of two 4-week sessions, the first for children ages 11-15 and the second for adolescents ages 15 to 18. The Tikvah campers, known as the Amitzim group, are included with their "typical" peers throughout the day.
Ezra is a 7-week vocational training program that captures the passion and excitement of Camp Ramah. During the summer, young adults live at camp, alongside staff and campers. Participants receive job-training experience in a number of service areas throughout camp and are held accountable for their interpersonal relationships in the Ramah community. Program goals include preparing young adults for independent living and teaching them employment related skills.
Camp Ohr Lanu is a week-long camp for families who have children with special needs ages 5-14. Camp Ohr Lanu combines study, prayer and fun into a program designed specifically for families who have children with special needs and their siblings. Come to camp to experience support from other families, joy at spending time together, respite and learn all while taking advantage of everything Ramah has to offer including swimming, hiking, sports and climbing.
For additional information, please contact Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Tikvah Director, at (310) 476-8571.
Camp Ramah in Canada (Utterson, ON)
The Tikvah Program at Camp Ramah in Canada is a six-week program that provides the opportunity for teens with developmental disabilities, ages 12-21, to become part of the Ramah community. The program provides recreational, social and educational experiences for the campers. The development of a strong sense of Jewish identity and belonging is stressed. While Tikvah campers enjoy the usual swimming, hiking, sports, arts and crafts, they also attend daily services, study Hebrew and learn Jewish customs. Each camper is integrated into the ongoing activities of the camp to the best of his or her abilities, and the young men and women become part of the total Ramah community. In addition, the program includes a vocational education component for young adults ages 18-21.
Please contact Casey Green or Adam Green, Tikvah Directors, at (416) 789-2193 for additional information.
Ramah Darom (Clayton, Georgia)
Ramah Darom's Camp Yofi, the first family camp for Jewish families of children with autism, brings together families from across North America.
Camp Yofi is a five-day program designed to create a network of Jewish families of children with autism, to provide a meaningful Jewish educational experience for the entire family, and to give families additional Jewish educational support for their children. The program includes experiences for adults, children with autism, siblings, and the entire family.
For additional information, please contact Susan Tecktiel, Camp Yofi Director, at (404) 531-0801.
Chicagoland Ramah Day Camp (Wheeling, IL)
In partnership with Keshet, a Chicago-area program for Jewish children with special needs, Chicagoland Ramah Day Camp hosts a day camp experience for children with a wide range of disabilities. Campers enroll through the Keshet organization, but are fully integrated with Ramah campers. Children ages 5-11 may attend camp for a 4-week or eight-week session.
Please call (312) 606-0444 for additional information. You can reach Keshet at www.keshet.org or (847) 205-1234.
Camp Ramah in New England (Palmer, MA)
The Tikvah Progam at Ramah in New England is an eight-week program serving teens ages 13-18 with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, neurological impairments, and physical challenges. Tikvah campers live in accessible bunks with specially trained counselors and participate in an extensive camping program.
Tochnit HaAvodah is a vocational education program for 18-21 year-olds. The Voc Ed participants live in a group home environment with two advisors. The Post Voc Ed Program offers summer employment to a select group of Tikvah graduates. The inclusion program is for a carefully selected group of younger campers with special needs, including physical challenges, who live in and participate in the daily activities of a typical bunk. Inclusion campers receive additional support and participate in the full range of activities in a typical camping division.
For additional information, please contact Howard Blas, Tikvah Director, at (413) 374-7210.
The Tikvah Program at Ramah Outdoor Adventure is a two-week program serving adolescents ages 11-15 with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Disorder. Tikvah campers (or chalutzim as they are known at Ramah Outdoor Adventure) will live in cabents (cabin tents) with specially trained counselors and will participate in the many activities that Ramah Outdoor Adventure offers all of its participants. These activities include: horseback riding, Jewish learning, rock climbing, wilderness survival, arts and crafts, agriculture, sports, aerobics and mining. While their schedule is slightly modified from the typical day, Tikvah chalutzim will participate with their typically-developing peers in elements of the camp program, such as meals, evening programs, and Shabbat services. Individual chalutzim will be integrated into other activities in camp according to their abilities.
For additional information, please contact Elyssa Hammerman, Tikvah Director, at (303) 261-8214.
Camp Ramah in the Poconos (Lakewood, PA)
The Tikvah Family Camp at Camp Ramah in the Poconos is a five-day overnight program that provides Jewish children with developmental disorders and/or social learning disorders, their parents, and their siblings the unique opportunity to experience together the magic of Jewish summer camp.
Please email Adena Sternthal, Tikvah Family Camp director, or call (215) 498-4396 for additional information.
Camp Ramah in Wisconsin (Conover, WI)
The Tikvah Program at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin offers 4- and 8-week programs that provide a blend of individualized support and integration into the regular camp program for 13-18 year olds with learning problems and social difficulties including Asperger’s Syndrome. Tikvah operates as a division within the regular camp structure. Tikvah camper cabins are attached to mainstream camper cabins. The Tikvah Program offers an introductory 4-week program, "Taste of Tikvah," as well as the full 8-week session.
Atzmayim, the Tikvah Vocational Program, is an 8-week program designed to strengthen social and vocational skills for high school graduates ages 18-22. It is intended to assist in transitioning to an independent living environment and blends vocational skill training and work experience with Jewish communal living. Work assignments are typically in local community businesses.
Please contact Ralph Schwartz, Director of Special Needs Programs, at 312-606-9316 ext. 221 for additional information.
No parent of a mildly challenged child should be afraid or ashamed to consider Tikvah as a summer camping experience for his or her child. Eight weeks is a long time for parents to be away from their child, but the days go by so quickly, one realizes that the period is not long enough, particularly for the child! There are no appropriate words to express our thanks to Rabbi Soloff [Director, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin] and to Camp Ramah. We hope and pray that you will have the strength and fortitude to sustain this for many years.
- Avrom B. Fox,
father of Emunah Fox,
Camp Ramah in Wisconsin
3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
