FAQS
Below you will find some of our most frequently asked general camp questions. We also realize there is some uncertainly due to the ongoing pandemic. It is possible that some of the information below may change due to COVID-related health guidelines. We will communicate our protocols as we get closer to the summer.
Our bus schedule will change slightly from year to year depending on the number of children registered from various locations throughout the greater Boston area. For more information about our bus offerings as well as a list of stops offered during Kayitz 2024, please read our Transportation page.
At Ramah we believe in a well-rounded camp program, exposing our campers to sports, arts, and outdoor education. We also know that some campers prefer a more specialized daily program. At Ramah, you can have it all. In a typical summer, the day allows our campers electives with a wide range of options. Fill your day with sports, or try a few different programs. In addition daily bechirot (electives), all of our campers receive swim instruction, learn Jewish and Israeli songs and dances, and acquire the very best in informal Jewish education, where our experienced yahadut educators infuse Jewish values and texts into everyday camp activities.
To learn more, please click here.
Our edot (divisions — the Hebrew word literally means “tribes”) are co-ed and age-specific. The following is a list of our edot based on campers’ current (2023-2024) grades:
Nursery – Aravot
Pre-K – Shorashim
K – Anafim
1 – Garinim
2 – Etzim
3 – Nitzanim
4 – Tamarim
5 & 6 – Alonim
7 & 8 – MaKoR
We require a minimum of 2-weeks to be enrolled at camp, but we do not require those weeks to be consecutive. Of course, we love when families take advantage of our full summer discount and enroll their child(ren) for all 7 weeks! For specific session dates or general Dates & Rates information, please click here.
Financial aid is available. Applications for financial aid will be accessible in your online camp account by late December, after you complete your camper application. The initial deadline for financial aid applications will be announced shortly (but with sufficient time to complete the application once it becomes available). We do all that we can to make it possible for everyone to experience a summer at Ramah. If you have questions about the financial aid process, please contact us.
Yes! We provide a delicious and nutritious lunch option every day, cooked and prepared by the team at Gann Academy’s Food and Dining services.
Ramah works closely with our host location, Gann Academy to ensure the safety of all members of our community. Somekey things to note:
- There is always a Security Officer on-site. They patrol campus, tend to visitors, and monitor security cameras.
- Gann has made significant improvements to our campus to “harden” infrastructure over last few years.
- Doors to the buildings are always locked and only accessible through key cards
- There is close communication/collaboration with CJP’s security initiative, Secure Community Network, and with the Waltham Police Department
We know that the cost of camp can be more difficult with more campers in one family. We want to help make camp affordable to everyone through scholarships. Please give us a call!
Check out our extensive daily backpack checklist!
Yes, campers in our general program may complete a Friend Request form and ask to be with another child in their same grade. Campers in our Sha’ar Hebrew immersion program are grouped together with other children their age registered for this specialty track.
All campers spend their day in programming with other campers their age. Whether or not your child comes to camp knowing lots of other children or no one, our staff works hard to integrate each individual into the group and facilitate new friendships between campers.
Campers have instructional swim Monday through Thursday at Bentley University’s pool.
On the first day of a child’s session, swim instructors evaluate our campers to find their appropriate swim class for their level. In addition, after you register for camp, we will ask you to share relevant information about your child’s swim experience on one of our pre-camp forms.
We operate on a staff to camper ratio of approximately 1:5.
In the event of heavy rain, thunder and/or lightening, our staff have a number of indoor and covered activities to keep the campers engaged and having fun. Camp is equipped with plenty of indoor, air-conditioned spaces to keep the whole camp safe, cool and dry while still experiencing a fun day at camp.
In the event of extreme heat, we have a number of shaded spots on campus in addition to our indoor, air-conditioned space. We always encourage campers to drink water and will adjust our activities as needed to keep the kids safe and cool.