July 17, 2026 / 3 Av 5786

  Kol Ramah, Week 4

Each day our chanichim (campers) get to enjoy at least one of the four pools that we have on site. Our youngest campers in Nevatim have a combined instructional/free swim period each day and the older campers have two separate sessions per day, one instructional and one free swim. Our tzevet mayim (swim staff) is made up of American and Israeli lifeguards who are all American Red Cross certified and receive ongoing training throughout the summer. Chanichim are divided into instructional swim groups based on skill level and work on enhancing their skills throughout the summer. In this way, the chanichim are not only learning an important life skill but also developing a sense of responsibility for their well-being and the well-being of others in their group. Depending on their swim abilities, they learn from our lifeguards how to tread water, float, fundamental strokes (breast, freestyle, backstroke and sidestroke), and for our most advanced swimmers, diving. Each day is filled with different activities and exercises aimed to teach skills, as well as help campers develop a real love of, and comfort in, the water.

Response and Resilience and Taking Care

In the midst of all of the camp fun that we have here at Ramah Nyack, this week, we had to take a pause. As the air quality in our region got worse due to the effects of wildfires throughout North America, it became clear that we would have to close camp for a day. This was something of a heartbreaking decision but also, we felt, the right one. Taking care of one's physical health and caring for those around us are both Jewish values that we live every day here at camp - from a schedule that provides for activities in the shade on hot days to cheering on each other on the ball fields. Despite that disappointment for everyone, campers and staff returned to the migrash this morning ready for a day of playing and learning and laughing and being together. Thank you for your understanding and support this week so that we could keep everyone safe.

Registration for Kayitz 2027 is Open!

It's never too soon to confirm your space for next summer! Current families that register during the remainder of the camp season will receive this special Ramah Nyack magnetic fidget ball set along with a registration discount. New and returning families can receive the early registration discount through November 1, 2026, but the fidgets are available only to returning families through August 12, 2026.

General Camp News

What's for lunch next week?

Our team works hard to provide complete meals for everyone, every day, in order to fuel the fun!

Reminder: Label all items that come to camp!

Important Dates

• Monday, July 20 - First Day Second Session
• Thursday, July 30 - Ramah Nyack Annual Dinner at Orangetown Jewish Center
• Monday, Aug 3 - Leil Horim [for parents of our tzevet (staff)]
• Tuesday, Aug 4 - Thursday, Aug 6 - Chalutzim/Bogrim Trip
• Thursday, Aug 6 - Overnight at camp for Tzeirim & Nevonim
• Wednesday, Aug 12 - Last day of camp for Summer 2026

Become a Fan

Keep up with all the fun we're having during Kayitz (Summer) 2026! Like the Ramah Day Camp in Nyack Facebook page and follow us on Instagram!

Download the App

All communications for the summer will be posted in the Campanion App. Please download it for free. Be sure to click through settings to turn on notifications and through 'forms' to turn on text alerts so that you never miss important updates and news from camp!

Every Friday, we will post highlights from each edah (division) on the Ramah Nyack website. Click on the name of an edah below to read this week's update.

Upcoming Events

Reminders

We provide our campers with snacks and meals throughout the day. For the safety of our campers and staff with food allergies, we ask that no food of any kind be sent to camp with your children.

Please send your child(ren) everyday with:

• A refillable water bottle from home so that your child(ren) can refill it throughout the day with water to stay hydrated.
• A bottle of sunscreen (labeled). Please apply sunscreen before your child departs for camp. We will reapply it throughout the day and the labeled bottle of sunscreen will be kept in your child’s changing area.
• While not required, we highly recommend sending a hat for your child to wear, especially on hot days.

Important Procedures

Your children are having so much fun here that we encourage you to keep them in camp until the regular dismissal time. We understand that there are extenuating circumstances that occasionally require you to pick up your child early. If so, please follow these procedures:

• Your child may be picked up by a parent or by an authorized adult previously designated in your CampMinder account. For any changes, please email travel@ramahnyack.org.
• Please call camp at (845) 358-6240 or email travel@ramahnyack.org by 11am on the day of the change and let us know what time you will be picking up your child. The office staff will notify your child's counselor and bus driver of the revised dismissal plans.
• Upon your arrival for early dismissal, please park in the Gould parking lot (across from the entrance to Nyack High School) and let our security staff know your name and your camper's name and they will call the office to let us know you have arrived. A staff member will escort your child to Gould to meet you, where you will sign him/her out. Please do not take your child out of camp without signing out.
• All early pick-ups must take place BEFORE 3:00 p.m. After 3:00 p.m., pick-ups will be carpool pick-ups in the Gould parking lot at regular dismissal.