Miriam and Gilad Shwartz (and Sivan); Co -Directors

Eli Shaffer (and Tonka); Assistant Director of Staff Management

Gina McReynolds; Assistant Director

Alexa Wynschenk; Rosh Banot and Deena Glucksman; Rosh Office and Logistics

Meet the 2014 Ranch Camp Summer Administrative TeamThe Faces on the Other Side of the Phone

Anna Kite; Rosh Specialists

Jonah Baskin; Rosh Judiacs

Camper Camper Information Information Meeting 2014Meeting 2014JCC Ranch CampJCC Ranch CampElbert, COElbert, COMiriam and Gilad Shwartz, Co-DirectorsMiriam and Gilad Shwartz, Co-DirectorsGina McReynolds, Assistant DirectorGina McReynolds, Assistant DirectorEli Schaffer, Assistant Director of Staff ManagementEli Schaffer, Assistant Director of Staff ManagementDeena Glucksman, Rosh Office and LogisticsDeena Glucksman, Rosh Office and Logistics

History of CampHistory of Camp What makes Ranch Camp special and What makes Ranch Camp special and awesome?awesome?

-Established 1953-Established 1953

-Serving over 400 campers -Serving over 400 campers each summer.each summer.-40 horses, 90 staff 40 horses, 90 staff members, 2 goats, 5 members, 2 goats, 5 chickens, 2 ducks + dogs chickens, 2 ducks + dogs and cats!and cats!-400 acres (Inner 40, Outer 400 acres (Inner 40, Outer 400) in the Black Forest400) in the Black Forest

Preparing for CampPreparing for CampSage-like advice for free!Sage-like advice for free!

Go over the Parent Manual, Packing List and Behavior Agreement together. Tip! Do things as a whole family. Include your camper in the process of preparing for camp!!

Connect with friends attending camp and/or plan slumber parties to practice being away from home.

Talk about camp! Use positive, affirmative speech. “You will have a great time!” “ I can’t wait to hear all your stories when you come home.”

Have a communications plan with your family (i.e. will you send bunknotes, letters, packages…if so, how often?)

Attend Open House on June 8th @ 11:00am-3:00pm

Parents – Prepare yourselves for camp! Read literature on how to prepare yourself for your child going away.

PackingPackingTips and Tricks of the TradeTips and Tricks of the Trade

Trunk vs. Suitcase vs. Duffel – Any of these will work but we really like trunks Trunk vs. Suitcase vs. Duffel – Any of these will work but we really like trunks or top opening duffels. Your camper will get 2 shelves for them to store their or top opening duffels. Your camper will get 2 shelves for them to store their belongings; the rest they will need to access from their trunk or bag. belongings; the rest they will need to access from their trunk or bag. (If you are planning on purchasing a trunk, consider using everythingsummercamp.com and use promo code (If you are planning on purchasing a trunk, consider using everythingsummercamp.com and use promo code

trail301JC)trail301JC)

Laundry – Full session campers will do laundry 1x per session so please Laundry – Full session campers will do laundry 1x per session so please pack accordingly!! (Laundry is done by a staff member but colors and whites pack accordingly!! (Laundry is done by a staff member but colors and whites are mixed) Bring a laundry bag to hang off the bunk. This is GREAT for are mixed) Bring a laundry bag to hang off the bunk. This is GREAT for storing dirty clothes and, when the session ends, you can leave your dirty storing dirty clothes and, when the session ends, you can leave your dirty clothes in the bag to save time on re-packing.clothes in the bag to save time on re-packing.

PackingPackingTips and Tricks of the TradeTips and Tricks of the Trade

Packing list cheat sheet taped to trunk or bag.Packing list cheat sheet taped to trunk or bag. Label, Label, Label!!!! Use full name, not just initals. You increase your odds of Label, Label, Label!!!! Use full name, not just initals. You increase your odds of

having your item returned by A LOT. Recommended label company: Mabels having your item returned by A LOT. Recommended label company: Mabels Labels (www.mableslabels.com) OR use a permanent marker. (Items WILL get Labels (www.mableslabels.com) OR use a permanent marker. (Items WILL get lost. PLEASE refrain from bringing items with high sentimental or dollar value!)lost. PLEASE refrain from bringing items with high sentimental or dollar value!)

It’s Maccabiah/Color War/Israel Day/Capture-the-Flag!!! Make sure to pack It’s Maccabiah/Color War/Israel Day/Capture-the-Flag!!! Make sure to pack clothes that are Red, Yellow, Blue AND Green so you will be ready for whatever clothes that are Red, Yellow, Blue AND Green so you will be ready for whatever team you are on.team you are on.

Tie-Dye – Pack1-3 white, cotton items to tie-dye (shirts, socks, pillow cases, etc. Tie-Dye – Pack1-3 white, cotton items to tie-dye (shirts, socks, pillow cases, etc. – NO towels or full sheets)– NO towels or full sheets)

Trip or special programs – make sure to follow the list and get your questions Trip or special programs – make sure to follow the list and get your questions addressed.addressed.

Sleeping bags – campers will use sheets on their beds but will need a sleeping Sleeping bags – campers will use sheets on their beds but will need a sleeping bag for campouts AND these work as a great comforter or fluffy mattress pillows.bag for campouts AND these work as a great comforter or fluffy mattress pillows.

TransportationTransportationGet on the bus!Get on the bus!

Start your session of on the right wheel and decide how Start your session of on the right wheel and decide how you will be traveling to camp.you will be traveling to camp.

The Bus!! A great chance to meet staff and campers – The Bus!! A great chance to meet staff and campers – start bonding now!start bonding now!

Camp – Want to see camp for yourself? We Camp – Want to see camp for yourself? We recommend Open House or picking up your child at recommend Open House or picking up your child at camp on the last day of the session.camp on the last day of the session.

Air – We are DIA Champions! If you ever have the Air – We are DIA Champions! If you ever have the need to travel to camp via plane, you can trust us for a need to travel to camp via plane, you can trust us for a safe experience.safe experience.

First Day ExpectationsFirst Day ExpectationsDay One scheduleDay One schedule

Snail Mail and More!Snail Mail and More!

Snail Mail and More!Snail Mail and More!Technology through the ages (all used today at camp!)Technology through the ages (all used today at camp!)

Letters Letters Tip: Send your Child with pre-addressed and stamped envelopes. Tip: Send your Child with pre-addressed and stamped envelopes.

Send your letters 3-4 days in advance!Send your letters 3-4 days in advance!

Packages Packages Tip: Do NOT send food. The office staff or critters will eat it.Tip: Do NOT send food. The office staff or critters will eat it.

What to put in packages? Popular items include: books, magazines, crafts, What to put in packages? Popular items include: books, magazines, crafts, games AND things to be shared with the entire cabin group.games AND things to be shared with the entire cabin group.

Bunk Notes - Bunk Notes - Online letters. Pay service through CampMinder Online letters. Pay service through CampMinder

which we print 1x per day in the mid-morning.which we print 1x per day in the mid-morning.

Birthdays – Birthdays – Talk to Gina or Deena in the office and we can Talk to Gina or Deena in the office and we can

arrange treats for the cabin. We also have our own b-day traditions!arrange treats for the cabin. We also have our own b-day traditions!

How to be a Camp SpyHow to be a Camp SpyPurchasing and viewing summer photos,Purchasing and viewing summer photos, blogs and social media. blogs and social media.

We will be sending out a Communications We will be sending out a Communications BritBrit (agreement) in June, check it out!(agreement) in June, check it out!-Email – we will communicate with you, and you with us!-Email – we will communicate with you, and you with us!

- Phone Gina and Deena @ 303-648-3800- Phone Gina and Deena @ 303-648-3800

- First time Camper Calls will be made to you within 48 hours- First time Camper Calls will be made to you within 48 hours

- Welcome Cabin Calls – At least 24 hrs prior to the session from your cabin - Welcome Cabin Calls – At least 24 hrs prior to the session from your cabin staff.staff.

- Cabin Emails – There will be two cabin emails per session from your staff - Cabin Emails – There will be two cabin emails per session from your staff member.member.

-Blog! This will be updated regularly and is a great window to camp!-Blog! This will be updated regularly and is a great window to camp!

-Photos!! 100+ photos 7 days a week! View, purchase, send, enjoy. Smile!-Photos!! 100+ photos 7 days a week! View, purchase, send, enjoy. Smile!

-Facebook = Like us! 1-2 posts/day year-round, get connected to the larger -Facebook = Like us! 1-2 posts/day year-round, get connected to the larger camp community.camp community.

CampMinder is your portal for forms, photos, bunknotes, and more! See your packet for links and tips on how to use CM. You can also check out our How-To Youtube video online.

Homesickness. Homesickness. We have all been there!We have all been there!

Homesickness. Homesickness. We have all been there!We have all been there!

Homesickness. Everyone gets it. 95% of Homesickness. Everyone gets it. 95% of campers AND staff!campers AND staff!

Steps to prepare and cope:Steps to prepare and cope:

1.1. Parents! Parents! 1.1. Please read the information in your packet about how to prepare your camper for camp. Please read the information in your packet about how to prepare your camper for camp.

This list is the BEST I have seen.This list is the BEST I have seen.2.2. Please also read the information about preparing YOURSELF to be away from your Please also read the information about preparing YOURSELF to be away from your

camper while they are at camp.camper while they are at camp.

2.2. Campers! Campers! 1.1. Check out your sheet about coping with homesickness at camp. These are some great Check out your sheet about coping with homesickness at camp. These are some great

tips to help you get through it!tips to help you get through it!2.2. Talk to someone about how you feel. Your counselor, a friend, your rosh village or Talk to someone about how you feel. Your counselor, a friend, your rosh village or

anyone you like to talk to.anyone you like to talk to.3.3. We are homesickness experts! If you feel homesick, don’t worry. We are here to help We are homesickness experts! If you feel homesick, don’t worry. We are here to help

you and will be there for you. Camp is awesome.you and will be there for you. Camp is awesome.

Camp Food…Yum!!Camp Food…Yum!!Kosher, Homemade (not pre-packed), Juice not Bug Juice, PACKED Salad Bar, Allergies OK Here!, PB&J and Fruit Bar, Hot options for every meal, Friday lunch in the commons, Shabbat Dinner!

Food is when we come together each day, 3x a day as a community so we work to make is awesome. If you have specific dietary questions, please see us after the presentation.

There is also snacks provided in the morning and afternoon.

I don’t like it! Do I have to eat it???

FAQ’s from CampersFAQ’s from Campers

When do I take my medication? When do I take my medication? We have med calls around each meal and at night We have med calls around each meal and at night so whenever you normally take meds at home, you will take them at camp! You so whenever you normally take meds at home, you will take them at camp! You will either go to the infirmary to take your meds or they will be delivered to you at will either go to the infirmary to take your meds or they will be delivered to you at night. Your staff member will be there to show you and remind you!night. Your staff member will be there to show you and remind you!

Will there always be a staff member in my cabin? Will there always be a staff member in my cabin? Yes! Even when you are Yes! Even when you are sleeping. During staff meetings 1x per week and Shabbat evening, there will be a sleeping. During staff meetings 1x per week and Shabbat evening, there will be a staff member in the village checking-in on each cabin.staff member in the village checking-in on each cabin.

Do I have to swim/ride horses/etc.? Do I have to swim/ride horses/etc.? No. At Ranch Camp we practice Challenge by No. At Ranch Camp we practice Challenge by Choice. We will never make you do anything you do not want to do. However, Choice. We will never make you do anything you do not want to do. However, camp is a safe place to try new things and we encourage you to reach outside your camp is a safe place to try new things and we encourage you to reach outside your comfort zone and try new things!comfort zone and try new things!

Can I bring my ipod/cell phone? Can I bring my ipod/cell phone? You won’t even want it so leave it at home! We do You won’t even want it so leave it at home! We do not allow any electronics at camp because they distract us from having fun with our not allow any electronics at camp because they distract us from having fun with our friends in the outdoors (with the exception of b’nai mitzvah students).friends in the outdoors (with the exception of b’nai mitzvah students).

Can I call my parents? Can I call my parents? Letters are the new telephone! Get those pens ready and Letters are the new telephone! Get those pens ready and write some memories down.write some memories down.

FAQ’s from ParentsFAQ’s from Parents

What if my child gets sick? What if my child gets sick? We have a Doctor or Nurse on staff all summer We have a Doctor or Nurse on staff all summer dedicated to the health of your child. We will also send your child to nearby health dedicated to the health of your child. We will also send your child to nearby health clinics if necessary. You will be contacted if your child has a health issue during clinics if necessary. You will be contacted if your child has a health issue during the summer.the summer.

My child has allergies, can you accommodate them? My child has allergies, can you accommodate them? Most likely! Our kitchen staff Most likely! Our kitchen staff is amazing and can handle a wide variety of food allergies. Make sure to talk to us is amazing and can handle a wide variety of food allergies. Make sure to talk to us about your child’s allergy (food or environmental) before camp starts and list it on about your child’s allergy (food or environmental) before camp starts and list it on their forms. If your child needs an epi-pen or inhaler, staff members will carry this their forms. If your child needs an epi-pen or inhaler, staff members will carry this for your camper.for your camper.

How will I know if my child is happy and having fun? How will I know if my child is happy and having fun? Encourage them to write Encourage them to write home but don’t be sad if they are having too much fun to write often! You will be home but don’t be sad if they are having too much fun to write often! You will be contacted by our staff if your child is having any problems including homesickness, contacted by our staff if your child is having any problems including homesickness, behavioral, etc. Trust us to be your eyes and ears. Also, see the communication behavioral, etc. Trust us to be your eyes and ears. Also, see the communication and media information on how to be your own spy as well!and media information on how to be your own spy as well!