ramahpoconos.org No paid content found

A Jewish overnight summer camp is a sleep-away camp where Jewish values, Hebrew language, and community life are woven into the daily schedule rather than added as an occasional activity. Camp Ramah in the Poconos is one example: an overnight Jewish camp in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains for kids and teens in grades 2–10, offering 4- and 7-week sessions plus a 6-day introductory program. This guide explains what distinguishes a Jewish overnight camp from a general one, how program formats differ by age, and what to check before you apply.

What Makes a Camp "Jewish" Rather Than Just a Camp With Jewish Campers

The difference is structural, not decorative. At a Jewish overnight camp, Jewish practice and Hebrew culture shape the rhythm of the day:

• Shabbat as a camp-wide event. Camp Ramah describes "a joyous camp Shabbat" as part of its programming, and its daily schedule runs from aruchat boker (breakfast) to lilah tov (good-night) — Hebrew is the working vocabulary of camp life, not a lesson bolted on.
• Values embedded in programming. Ramah frames its approach around "warmth, inclusion, radical creativity, and fun in a Jewish environment," and describes campers forming a kehillah (community).
• Continuity beyond one summer. The camp positions itself as a "second home" and a source of "lifelong Jewish connections" — the goal is relationship and identity over years, not just activities over weeks.

A general overnight camp can be excellent, but if Jewish community and practice are the priority, the daily structure — not the brochure language — is what you're evaluating.

Program Formats: Match the Session to Your Child's Age and Readiness

Session length is the single biggest fit decision, especially for a first-time camper.

The logic to apply at any camp: younger or first-time campers usually do better with a short trial session, while returning or older campers get more from a full-summer immersion. Ask whether the short program feeds into the longer one, so a positive first summer has somewhere to go.

Inclusion Programs: Ask Specifically, Don't Assume

"Inclusive" means different things at different camps, so ask what exists and who qualifies. Camp Ramah runs Tikvah Programs for campers with a wide range of disabilities, including developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, learning differences, and neurological impairments. It also lists Yedidim and Tochnit Avodah programs under its disabilities programming.

When evaluating any camp, ask:

• Which specific diagnoses or needs does the program serve?
• What is the staff-to-camper ratio in that program, and what training do staff receive?
• Is the inclusion program fully integrated into general camp life, or separate?

Eligibility, Dates, and Logistics to Confirm Before Applying

• Age/grade range. Ramah Poconos serves grades 2–10. Confirm the cutoff date your camp uses for grade placement.
• Session dates and rates. The camp's site points to "2027 Dates & Rates" and a "Kayitz (Summer) 2027" season — check the current published dates and rates directly, since these change yearly.
• Location and travel. It's in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. For out-of-area families, ask about transportation options and visiting day.
• Application timing. The site invites families to "Apply today," so treat dates and availability as time-sensitive.

How to Judge Fit Beyond the Brochure

Use these signals instead of marketing copy:

1. Mission and philosophy pages. Read them for what the camp says it values, then check whether the activity list actually reflects it.
2. Parent experience. One parent testimonial on the site states: "neither kid has ever been happy this many days in a row, probably ever in their whole lives... Seeing how much they loved camp was truly amazing." Testimonials are useful for tone and outcomes, but weigh them alongside specifics like staff training and inclusion capacity.
3. Direct contact. The site directs families to contact a named staff member (Leanne) for more information — use that conversation to ask the questions above rather than relying on the website alone.
4. Staff culture. Ramah highlights a Staff Appreciation Fund tied to hodaya (gratitude), which signals how the camp frames its staff — worth asking about retention and training in any camp you consider.

Quick Decision Checklist

• Does the camp's daily life reflect Jewish values and Hebrew culture, or just its marketing?
• Is the session length right for your child's age and prior camp experience?
• Does an inclusion program exist for your child's specific needs, and is it integrated?
• Are dates, rates, and grade eligibility current and confirmed with staff?
• Do mission, activities, and parent experiences line up with each other?

If most answers point the same direction, the camp is worth an application conversation. If inclusion or session fit is unclear, resolve that first — it's the hardest thing to change once the summer starts.

A Jewish summer camp is an overnight or day camp where Jewish life shapes the daily rhythm, not just the calendar. Campers swim, play sports, make art, and sleep in bunks like any other camp, but they also mark Shabbat, hear and use Hebrew, and live inside a values-based community. Camp Ramah in the Poconos, for example, describes itself as an overnight Jewish summer camp in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains for kids and teens in grades 2–10, running 4- and 7-week sessions, with a 6-day "Taste of Ramah" introduction for 2nd and 3rd graders. Choose a Jewish camp when you want your child's summer to build both friendships and Jewish identity; choose a general overnight camp when the priority is a specific activity focus or a non-religious setting.

What Makes a Camp "Jewish"

The label covers a spectrum. At the more immersive end, Jewish practice and Hebrew are woven through the whole day — Camp Ramah's site describes programming "from aruchat boker (breakfast) until lilah tov (good-night)," and a "joyous camp Shabbat." At the lighter end, a camp may be Jewish mainly through its ownership, its values language, or a weekly Shabbat dinner.

Questions that separate the two:

• Is Shabbat observed, and how? A full pause with services and a special meal is different from a Friday-night activity.
• How much Hebrew is used? Terms for meals, bunks, and activities signal an immersive culture; occasional words signal a lighter touch.
• Is there a movement affiliation? Camps are often tied to a denomination or stream of Judaism, which shapes prayer style, kashrut, and staff expectations.
• What values are named? Look for a stated mission, not just activity lists.

Jewish Overnight Camp vs. General Overnight Camp

Neither is better in the abstract. The right answer depends on what you want the summer to do for your child.

Key Factors to Evaluate

Session length. Shorter sessions suit first-time campers; longer ones build deeper friendships. Camp Ramah in the Poconos offers 4- and 7-week sessions, plus a 6-day starter program for younger children — a useful model for matching length to readiness.

Age range. Confirm the camp serves your child's grade. Ramah Poconos covers grades 2–10, with the 6-day program for grades 2–3 and the overnight program for grades 3–10.

Denomination or movement. This affects prayer style, kashrut, and the overall religious tone. Ask directly if it isn't stated.

Inclusion programs. This is where camps differ most, and where vague answers should raise questions. Ramah Poconos runs Tikvah programs for campers with a wide range of disabilities, including developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, learning differences, and neurological impairments, plus Yedidim and Tochnit Avodah programs. Ask what support looks like day to day: staffing ratios, training, and how campers join the wider camp community.

Staff. Ask who supervises bunks, how counselors are trained, and whether there are specialists for programming and inclusion.

How to Choose and Apply

1. Shortlist by fit. Filter on session length, age range, and movement affiliation before anything else.
2. Read the mission, not just the activities. A camp's stated philosophy tells you more about daily life than a sports list.
3. Ask about inclusion directly. If your child needs support, request specifics on staffing and program structure.
4. Visit or watch the camp video. Camp Ramah in the Poconos offers a camp video; seeing the grounds and the rhythm of a day answers questions a brochure can't.
5. Talk to current parents. One parent quoted on the Ramah Poconos site said neither child "has ever been happy this many days in a row" and had never enjoyed a camp as much — the kind of specific, lived detail worth seeking out.
6. Check dates and rates, then apply. Ramah Poconos lists 2027 dates and rates with an online application; pricing isn't published on the homepage, so request it or check the dates-and-rates page.

Common Stumbling Blocks

• Assuming "Jewish" means one thing. Two Jewish camps can feel very different. Visit or ask detailed questions.
• Leaving inclusion questions too late. Ask before applying, not after acceptance.
• Skipping the short session. For a first-time camper, a 6-day program is a low-risk way to test sleep-away camp.
• Not asking about cost. Rates and financial aid vary; ask early so it doesn't derail the decision.

Chan Dao martial arts, as taught by the Ch'an Dao Martial Arts Association, are a traditional Hakka family-lineage system that preserves Northern Longfist forms within a Southern Chinese lineage from the New Territories, Hong Kong, now relocated to the UK. It is not a generic modern style assembled from mixed sources: the name points to two influences that shape how the art is practised — Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism and Daoist ideas of naturalness and yielding — while the technical content comes from a specific family transmission. This explanation is for prospective students and curious readers who want to understand what the art is, where it comes from, and what training actually involves before deciding whether to pursue it.

What "Chan Dao" means in this context

The association's name combines two terms that describe the inner orientation of the training rather than a brand:

• Ch'an is the Chinese ancestor of Japanese Zen. In this lineage it refers to the Buddhist framework that informs how a practitioner holds their attention and conduct in training.
• Dao refers to the Daoist current — naturalness, yielding, and internal energy work — that runs alongside the Buddhist influence.

The two are not separate curriculums bolted together. They describe a single approach to practice in which martial technique, meditation, and energy work are trained together rather than treated as unrelated activities.

Where the art comes from

The technical core is Northern Longfist (a long-range striking system known for extended stances and full-extension techniques), but it has been preserved inside a Southern Hakka family lineage originating in the New Territories of Hong Kong. That combination matters:

Because the art is lineage-based, what you learn depends on what that lineage preserved — not on a standardised syllabus shared across many schools.

How Ch'an Buddhism shapes the training

The Ch'an influence is about how you train, not an added religious layer on top of technique:

• Mindfulness — attention stays on the present action: the breath, the posture, the contact. Forms and drills are treated as objects of awareness, not just sequences to memorise.
• Stillness — standing and quiet practice are used to develop stability and calm, which then carry into movement.
• Non-attachment — progress is pursued without clinging to rank, winning, or a fixed idea of how fast you should advance. This tends to reduce the ego-driven urgency common in competitive martial arts.

A practical example: instead of rushing through a form to "finish" it, a student may be asked to repeat a single transition slowly until the mind settles into it. The martial content is the same; the quality of attention is the training.

How Daoist ideas shape the training

The Daoist current shows up in the mechanics of movement and energy:

• Naturalness — postures and transitions follow the body's natural structure rather than forced, tense positions.
• Yielding — meeting force by redirecting or absorbing it rather than meeting it head-on, a principle shared with many internal arts.
• Internal energy work — breath and intention are coordinated with movement, so that power comes from whole-body connection rather than isolated muscular effort.

In practice, this means a technique is judged not only by whether it works, but by whether it is relaxed, connected, and sustainable. A tense, muscled version of a strike may be corrected even if it lands, because it violates the principle being trained.

What a beginner can expect

Because the association is lineage-based and relocated to the UK, the first step is to contact it directly to confirm current class locations, times, and any conditions for joining — these details are not fixed by the source material and can change.

In general terms, a first session in this kind of system typically involves:

1. Basic stances and posture work — establishing structure before speed or power.
2. Simple drills or a short form section — introduced slowly, with attention on relaxation and alignment.
3. Breath and stillness practice — brief standing or quiet work to set the tone of the training.
4. Correction by the instructor — adjustments to tension, alignment, and attention, which are as much the lesson as the technique itself.

Expect the pace to feel slower than a sport martial arts class. The emphasis is on quality of movement and quality of mind, and progress is measured in consistency rather than belts or competition results.

How to decide if it suits you

Chan Dao martial arts suits people who want a traditional, lineage-based art where meditation, energy work, and fighting technique are trained as one thing. It is a poorer fit if you want rapid competition sparring, a standardised belt curriculum, or a style with no contemplative element.

The decisive step is to ask the association directly about:

• Current class locations and schedule in the UK
• Whether beginners are accepted and what the first sessions cover
• Any lineage or conduct expectations for students

Those answers, rather than any general description, will tell you whether this particular transmission is the right one for you.

Camp Ramah in the Poconos is a Jewish overnight summer camp in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains for kids and teens in grades 2–10. It runs 4-week and 7-week sessions, plus a 6-day introductory program for 2nd and 3rd graders, and offers dedicated inclusion tracks for campers with disabilities. It's a fit if you want a sleep-away camp that combines sports, arts, music, and outdoor adventure with Jewish community life and Shabbat programming — and if your child is entering grades 2–10.

What the Camp Actually Is

The camp describes itself as an overnight Jewish summer camp that has built "a tradition of warmth, inclusion, radical creativity, and fun in a Jewish environment" over 75 years, one that campers come to call their "second home." Programming runs from aruchat boker (breakfast) through lilah tov (good-night), so the Jewish rhythm of the day is built into the schedule rather than bolted on.

Two things distinguish the format:

• It's overnight, not day camp. Campers live on site in bunks (tzrif), which means the social experience — bunk life, camp-wide traditions, Shabbat — is the core product.
• It's pluralistic Jewish community life. The camp frames the experience around a kehillah (community) and lifelong Jewish connections, not just activities.

Programs by Age and Length

The site references 4-week and 7-week sessions, and the Overnight Program is described as running "from one session to a full kayitz." If your child has never slept away from home, Taste of Ramah is the low-commitment test: six days, same camp, same Shabbat experience, easy to reverse if it doesn't work.

Inclusion Programs for Campers with Disabilities

This is one of the more developed parts of the camp's offering, and worth reading closely if it applies to your family. The camp says it strives to serve campers with a wide range of disabilities, including developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, learning differences, and neurological impairments. Three named tracks appear on the site:

• Tikvah — the primary inclusion program for campers with disabilities
• Yedidim — a companion program listed under campers with disabilities
• Tochnit Avodah — a work/vocational program track

Because eligibility, staffing ratios, and session availability differ by track, treat the website's program pages as a starting point and confirm fit directly with the camp before applying.

What a Day Looks Like

Activities named across the site include sports, music, omanut (arts), outdoor adventure, and bunk activities, framed by the camp as "creative, experiential, and just plain off-the-wall." Shabbat is a highlighted part of the week — Taste of Ramah specifically advertises "a joyous camp Shabbat."

The camp also runs national programming through Ramah Israel Resources and publicly expresses support for Israel, so families should expect Israel engagement to be part of the broader Ramah environment.

How to Decide and Apply

1. Match your child's grade to a program. 2nd–3rd grade → Taste of Ramah or the start of the Overnight Program; 3rd–10th → Overnight Program.
2. Choose session length. Shorter sessions suit first-time campers; the full kayitz suits returning campers ready for the complete experience.
3. Check inclusion fit. If your child needs Tikvah, Yedidim, or Tochnit Avodah, contact the camp before applying to confirm availability and support level.
4. Get dates and rates. The site points to a "2027 Dates & Rates" page and an application link; pricing is not published in the material available here, so check the site or ask directly.
5. Ask questions. The site directs families to contact Leanne for more information — use that for anything the website doesn't answer, especially around session availability and inclusion staffing.

A Parent's Perspective

The site includes a testimonial from a camper parent: "I do not mean this lightly when I say that neither kid has ever been happy this many days in a row, probably ever in their whole lives... Seeing how much they loved camp was truly amazing." Read it as a signal about the social-emotional experience rather than as evidence about programming specifics — but for a sleep-away camp, sustained happiness across many consecutive days is exactly the outcome families are shopping for.

Bottom Line

Camp Ramah in the Poconos fits families who want an overnight Jewish camp with real activity breadth (sports, arts, music, outdoors), a strong Shabbat and community culture, a gentle on-ramp for younger first-timers, and structured inclusion options for campers with disabilities. It's less of a fit if you need a day camp, a secular setting, or a program outside grades 2–10. Confirm dates, rates, and inclusion availability on the camp's site or with its contact before committing.

A surf camp is a package that combines accommodation with daily surf instruction, while a surf school is usually just the lessons. If you want to learn to surf and have somewhere to stay sorted in one booking, a camp suits you. If you already have lodging or only want a few coached sessions, a school is the simpler and often cheaper route. The two overlap heavily — many operators, including OTRO MODO Surf Camp & Surf School on Fuerteventura, run both under one roof.

Surf camp vs surf school: the core difference

The practical takeaway: choose a camp when the trip is the learning experience, and a school when surfing is one activity inside a trip you've already planned.

What a typical surf camp day looks like

Schedules differ by operator and season, but a learn-to-surf camp generally follows this rhythm:

• Morning: breakfast, then a lesson or free surf while conditions are calmest
• Midday: lunch and rest during the strongest sun and wind
• Afternoon: a second session, video review, or free surf
• Evening: dinner, social time, early night before the next surf

Lessons usually run in blocks of a few hours and cover beach safety, paddling, popping up, and reading waves. Beginners spend most of the first sessions in whitewater near the shore; progression to unbroken waves depends on fitness, conditions, and how many days you surf.

What's usually included — and what isn't

Common inclusions at a surf camp:

• Accommodation (shared or private rooms)
• Daily surf lessons with an instructor
• Board and wetsuit rental for the duration
• Sometimes breakfast, dinner, airport transfers, or yoga

Common exclusions or add-ons:

• Flights and travel insurance
• Some meals
• Photos/video packages
• Transport to surf spots, depending on the camp

Because inclusions vary so much, compare camps on what's bundled rather than on headline price alone. A cheap camp that excludes gear rental and transfers can cost more overall than a fuller package.

Who each option suits

• Complete beginner: a camp, because daily repetition in the same group accelerates learning fast.
• Improver/intermediate: either works — look for a school or camp that groups by level rather than mixing everyone together.
• Travelling solo: camps double as a social base; you'll have built-in company.
• Short on time or already housed: a surf school lets you buy exactly the sessions you need.

Choosing a destination and camp: Fuerteventura as an example

Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands, is a common learn-to-surf destination because it offers consistent waves and warm water across much of the year. When evaluating any camp — Fuerteventura or elsewhere — check:

1. Season and conditions: ask which months suit your level. Beginners want smaller, gentler waves; strong winter swells suit more experienced surfers.
2. Group sizes: smaller groups mean more individual feedback. Ask for the instructor-to-student ratio.
3. Level grouping: confirm the camp separates beginners from intermediates so you're not held back or pushed too far.
4. Location vs surf spots: a camp near the beach cuts travel time; a remote one may need daily transfers.
5. Instructor qualifications and safety: look for recognised surf-instructor certifications and clear safety briefings.
6. Reviews and real photos: recent guest reviews reveal actual group sizes, food quality, and whether the vibe matches the marketing.

OTRO MODO Surf Camp & Surf School operates on Fuerteventura and describes itself as running both surf camps and surf courses, associated with Billabong and Blue Tomato — useful as a concrete example of an operator that offers the camp-and-school combination in one place.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Underestimating fitness: paddling is tiring. A week of two daily sessions is more physically demanding than most beginners expect.
• Ignoring group size: a "lesson" with 15 students and one instructor is very different from one with six.
• Booking the wrong season: the best waves for experts can be too much for a first-timer, and flat summer spells frustrate advanced surfers.
• Assuming everything's included: confirm gear, meals, and transfers in writing before you pay.
• Skipping travel insurance: surf injuries happen; check your policy covers watersports.

If you want a structured, social way to learn with lodging handled, book a surf camp. If you only need coaching and already have a base, a surf school is the leaner choice. Either way, match the destination's season and the camp's group sizes to your level before committing.