Ramah Programs for Campers
 with Special Needs

Camp Ramah, the camping arm of Conservative Judaism, has provided services to children with special needs for over 30 years.

At Camp Ramah in California, Camp Ramah in Canada, Camp Ramah in New England, Tikvah programs serve Jewish children with developmental delays, mental retardation, Down Syndrome and other conditions that prevent them from succeeding in camp without significant additional supports.

The Tikvah program at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin is primarily for campers with higher functioning disorders such as Asperger’s, ADHD, and other learning and social disabilities.

Camp Ramah in the Berkshires provides Briera B'Ramah for campers with special needs, mainstreaming these campers into camper bunks. Ramah Darom in Georgia offers our newest program, Camp Yofi, a five-day family camp for families of children with autism. In partnership with Keshet, a Chicago-area program for Jewish children with special needs, Ramah Day Camp in Chicago provides services to children with a wide range of disabilities.

What Parents Say About Tikvah

"I can’t tell you the pride, joy and gratitude we all felt. Brian was so thrilled that he almost burst. In between some serious davening, he blew kisses to his fans, raised his t’fillin-wrapped arm in a two-fingered salute, shook hands, and accepted congratulations somewhere between an accomplished bar mitzvah boy and a Hollywood celebrity! The whole camp cheered in one voice when he succeeded in articulating his solos.

I never thought I would say this, but my son is happier in some place other than home. It is quite miraculous when ‘potential’ becomes a word in the present tense. For a few hours, we really felt the meaning of true inclusiveness. When we left Ramah, we knew it was possible for Brian to be not just a man, but a mensch, in his own community."

"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."

Breira B'Ramah at 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, visit the Ramah Berkshires website or contact Beth Jaret, Breira Director, at 201-871-7262 x205 or at breirabramah@ramahberkshires.org.

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Tikvah and Ezra Programs at Ramah California (Ojai, CA)

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.

For additional information, please visit the Ramah California website or contact Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Tikvah Director, at (310) 476-8571.

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Tikvah Program at Ramah Canada (Utterson, ON)

Ramah Chicago Day Camp (Wheeling, IL)

The Tikvah Program at Camp Ramah in New England is an 8-week program serving teens ages 13-21 with mild to moderate mental retardation, autism spectrum disorders and neurological impairments. 

The Ramah New England program is divided into two components. Campers (ages 13-18) are in the “Amitzim” (brave ones) division and live in bunks with two specially-trained counselors and participate in the full camping program. A small group of former campers (ages 18-21) are selected to participate in “Tochnit HaAvodah,” the Vocational Education (Voc Ed) Program. The Voc Ed participants live in a group home environment with two advisors.

In the Summer of 2005, Camp Ramah in New England piloted an inclusion program for a carefully selected group of younger campers with special needs. Inclusion campers receive additional support and participate in the full range of activities in a typical camping division.

For additional information, please visit the Ramah New England website, or contact Howard Blas, Tikvah Director, at Howardb@campramahne.org or (781) 449-7090.

Tikvah Program at Ramah Wisconsin (Conover, WI)