Summer 2020 Cancellation Resources

Here you will find resources, links and information to help you navigate the cancellation of Kayitz (Summer) 2020 at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires.

Below is a video message, to our community, from director, Rabbi Ethan Linden. Click HERE to read Rabbi Linden and Richie Friedman’s message to the community.


 

A Special Message to our Ramah Berkshires Community

Please continue to check back for updated information.

DATETIMEMEETINGZOOM LINK
Sunday, May 2410:00 AMParent/Guardian Town Hall (Option 1)https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85659506397
Sunday, May 2411:00 AMSummer 2020 Staff Town Hall https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83729695983
Sunday, May 244:00 PMParent/Guardian Town Hall (Option 2)https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89689126545
Monday, May 2510:00 AMA-Side Campers Town Hallhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83642410590
Monday, May 2511:00 AMTown Hall for Campers in Solelim, Bogrim and Machonhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/87336102110
Monday, May 2512:00 PM Town Hall for Gesher 2020 Campershttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83452323102
Wednesday, May 278:00 PM Alumni & Community Town Hallhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/84184673316

*All times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time

WILL YOU BE OFFERING ONLINE CAMP THIS SUMMER?
While nothing replaces the magic of being at Camp, the Ramah Berkshires team is working on ways to provide opportunities for camper engagement and connection over the summer. As a start, we are planning camper Edah Zoom gatherings in the next few weeks. While we don’t plan to offer a full online camp experience, we’re exploring ways we can stay connected with our campers over the summer.

WILL KIDS SKIP AN EDAH?
Through online edah gatherings and, hopefully, some in-person get-togethers over the next year, all campers will have the chance to have a 2020 Edah experience – albeit a very different one. We are looking to incorporate some of the anticipated activities or “rites of passage” of a particular edah into alternative experiences and next summer’s program. Our hope is that as a result, when campers return to Camp in 2021, they will be ready for the next edah.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR GESHER 2020?
We are working directly with our Gesher campers and families to find a way to ensure these campers have a Gesher experience this year – although, again, it will be different. Depending on how things evolve it could include an in-person gathering later this year.  We haven’t figured it all out yet, but we are determined to find a way to create something meaningful and memorable for Gesher 2020, starting with a special Gesher Town Hall Meeting on Monday, May 25th at 12 PM.

CAN GESHER FAMILIES ROLL FORWARD THEIR PAID 2020 FEES FOR SEMINAR?
Yes.

WILL RAMAH BERKSHIRES BE OK FINANCIALLY?
Cancelling Camp, as well as the cancellation of all Ramah Berkshires pre-season retreats and rentals this spring, will have a very serious impact on our organization. We are a non-profit and almost 85% of our annual revenue is generated from these programs. We have applied for several loans and are seeking the support of large Jewish philanthropies. But we will need the generosity of our Camp families to help get us through this challenging time.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE TUITION I HAVE ALREADY PAID?
Over the course of the next two weeks, every Ramah Berkshires 2020 family will receive a phone call from a member of our staff or board to review your options. 

As we wrote to you in March, you will have the option of receiving a full refund, rolling your tuition over to 2021, or donating some or all of your tuition to Camp. We know that there is much uncertainty in the world right now, but we know for certain that the financial implications of canceling Camp are serious.  We do hope you will consider donating at least a portion of your tuition to Camp.  Your support is critical in assuring that Camp returns stronger than ever in the years to come.

There are three options and you will be able to “mix and match” your selection (although we hope you will choose option 1):

Option 1: Donate all or a portion of your paid tuition as a tax-deductible donation to Ramah Berkshires. ALL DONATIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DOUBLED thanks to a generous $1-for-$1 match from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. If you opt to donate a meaningful portion of your tuition, we will offer you a special bonus discount to be applied to 2021, AND we will guarantee no Camp price increase for your returning campers in 2021.

For all details, including a full listing of all options and related benefits, click HERE.

Option 2: Roll forward all or a portion of your paid tuition to Summer 2021.  To rollover tuition to Summer 2021 and to lock in Summer 2020 rates, you must rollover all tuition paid (or due) as of March 31st ($6,000 for a full season camper and $4,000 for a one month camper).  Additionally, in order to secure an early payment discount, you must pay your tuition bill in full by the relevant September or December deadline.

Option 3: Request a refund of all or a portion of your paid tuition.

I AM READY TO DONATE AND CONVERT 100% OF MY TUITION. HOW SHOULD I DO THAT?
Thank you. Please click here to submit a brief form, and a member of our year-round leadership team will follow up with you within 48 hours.

WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY IF I ROLL FORWARD MY PAID TUITION TO 2021?
Our general enrollment policies will apply including cancellation/refund deadlines, with additional flexibility provided if cancellation should be required due to COVID-19 related issues.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH MY FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS?
Community-based scholarship decisions, including One Happy Camper grants, are all made locally so you will need to contact your Federation or synagogue to ask if they are able to roll forward to 2021. Ramah Berkshires is also encouraging Federations and synagogues to roll forward all 2020 scholarships.

In order to appropriately meet the needs of all of our families, all families who are requesting financial aid will be required to reapply through our FACTS financial aid process for the summer of 2021.

CAN YOU SEND EACH FAMILY THE EDAH CONTACT LIST SO CHILDREN CAN CONTACT FRIENDS?
Last summer’s Edah Directories are all available through your Campminder dashboard.  We will be updating to include newly enrolled 2020 campers within the next few weeks. 

I ALREADY REGISTERED FOR CAMP TRUNK DELIVERY.  WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you have already registered for Camp Trunk Delivery (CTD), they will be reaching out to you within the next few weeks to notify you about reimbursement options. 

I ALREADY REGISTERED FOR CAMPMEDS. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you already registered for CampMeds, they will be reaching out to you within the next few weeks to determine your reimbursement options.

Our Director of Camper Care, Elana Fishman, has provided a resource to help you navigate this disappointment and loss, and help you support your children, and yourself, through this difficult time.

Helping Children Cope With the News that Camp is Cancelled

DATETIMEMEETINGZOOM LINK
Friday, May 226:00 PMCommunity Kabbalat Shabbathttps://https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89833678250

*All times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time

Stay tuned for our summer plans and the ways you can stay connected to Ramah Berkshires during this summer.

The financial implications of cancelling Camp are serious. Camp Ramah in the Berkshires’ business model relies on Camp fees to cover not just our summer costs, but also our year-round operations. Thanks to the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, all Camp tuition reallocation donations will be matched 1:1* and all other donations will be matched 2:1.

Donate Today

*We will be sending more information to Camp families about tuition reallocation options soon.