By Shelly and David Mitnick

This month, Shelly and David Mitnick share with us their children's experience at Ramah Day Camp this past summer. Jeremy is in first grade and his sister, Ariel, is in fourth grade. Ramah Camps are part of the Conservative movement. Combining religious school with Jewish camping and youth group activities can indeed give our children a rich Jewish experience. Consider Camp Ramah or a Jewish camp for your child this summer. 

- Diana Yacobi, Director of Education, Jewish Community Center of Ft. Lee, NJ

In Praise of Ramah Day Camp in Nyack

From the very first morning we could tell it was going to be a great summer for our 9-year-old daughter and our 6-year-old son. Warm cries of "Boker Tov!" greeted each camper as they made their way to the migrash for the energizing Israeli songs and dances that started every day at Ramah in Nyack.

By the third day both kids were dancing the "Hopa Hey" all over our house. But that wasn't all we were hearing. As we write this at the computer in our kitchen, our son is singing Adon Olam, almost unconsciously, as he plays. Tefilot every morning for each age group were made fun and educational, and older campers were given the opportunity to prepare and chant small Torah portions using the yad and to receive aliyot. Each camper was able to participate at his or her level of comfort.

Jewish customs and Hebrew vocabulary are taught and reinforced throughout the day in all activities. Children sing Birkat Hamazon after every kosher lunch, boys were kipot on the baseball field and all the activities are called by their Hebrew names (both in speech and on the signs all over camp). This immersion in Jewish living stimulated healthy discussions at home about our level of observance and its meaning.

Special event days like Yom Yisrael, Maccabiah and Zimriyah were exciting for the kids as they had a chance to experience different aspects of Israeli culture through learning, song and competition. For Maccabiah, they learned about the Jordan River using tubes in the pool, Israeli geography playing "Pin the Kotel on Jerusalem" and the name of countries in Hebrew.

Our kids really enjoyed the variety of athletic and craft activities. They felt a sense of mastery and accomplishment in activities like the rock-climbing wall, and sheer exhilaration and fun at others like floor hockey and basketball. The swimming program focused on both skill development and recreation. The staff took safety issues very seriously, not only at the pool, but at drop-off and pick-up and all around camp.

The best part of the experience really centered around the individuals at camp. The counselors and division heads were great. They were bright, energetic and sensitive. The intensive training of the counselors and the fact that they live at the camp full-time over the summer made them a cohesive, enthusiastic group who transferred their ruach (spirit) to the campers.

The results: our kids begged us to extend their camp session. Our daughter's Hebrew reading improved significantly. Both kids know and love the daily prayers. They met some wonderful Jewish friends. We were touched to see our son hugging not only his counselors on the last day, but also his bunkmates. Overall, their sense of identity, both individual and Jewish, was heightened. They can continue to develop these interests as they return to Hebrew School this year. And next summer back at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, they can expand their horizons further still.

Reprinted with permission from "The Messenger," the monthly newsletter of the Jewish Community Center of Ft. Lee, NJ.