Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours of camp?
- Camp Day: 9AM - 4PM
- Extended Hours:
- Early Care: 7:30AM - 8:45AM
- Late Stay: 4:00PM - 6:00PM
What is the make-up of a camper group?
- Our campers are grouped based on the grade they will be entering in the fall. Campers can make up to 3 camper requests otherwise the camp leadership team constructs all of the groups.
- There are multiple groups within each grade and a significant portion of the day is spent interacting with campers from other groups and grade levels within the unit.
All of our groups are all gender, for both campers and staff. This group design ensures that all of our campers come together to learn, play, and grow, regardless of their gender, as we seek to overcome stereotypes and limitations. We embrace diversity of all kinds at Camp Ruach and all are welcome here.
What is the staff to camper ratio and counselor make-up?
- Each camp group (3 years - 3rd grade) has approximately 15-17 campers with 3-4 staff members and our Tzahov campers have 2 counselors per group. Road Rulz and Sababa have a 1:10 ratio.
- K’ton senior counselors are adults who have had prior experience working with preschool age campers in school or camp settings. Sababa and Road Rulz counselors are all senior counselors and/or are over 21 years old. All other groups have a combination of senior counselors and junior counselors.
What do the different staff position titles mean?
- Senior Counselors - high school graduates or at least over 18 years old
- Junior Counselors - rising 11th and 12th graders
- CITs (Counselor-in-Training) - rising 10th graders
- Specialists - lead, plan, and facilitate all programming in their specialty program area
- Unit Heads - adults who lead each of the different age units in camp
What are the different transportation options?
- Busing for full day campers to and from camp. All bus stop requests must be made by May 1, any requests after this date will be added to existing stops. Routes are developed new each year and specific requests are not guaranteed but we do our best to accommodate all in conjunction with our bus company.
- Car drop-off and pick-up options are available for regular and extended hours.
- Families may also create a custom (yet consistent) schedule that is coordinated ahead of time with the camp secretary to include a combination of either bus transportation, pick-up/drop-off, or extended care.
Are snacks and lunch included?
- YES!
- A dry morning snack is offered to campers each morning. A refreshing ice pop or ice cream is served in the afternoon before last period. On Fridays, challah is served in the morning and Rita’s italian ices in the afternoon.
- There is a set lunch menu for the summer which will be shared with families ahead of the start of camp. Highlights include pizza, hot dogs, pasta, and bagels. A fruit and snack is always served.
- If a camper prefers to have their own food, they are welcome to bring lunch with them from home which will be kept refrigerated. Food brought from home cannot be reheated, unless in the K’ton unit. For any food brought from home, we ask that it be kosher style - please do not mix meat and dairy and do not send in pork or shellfish products. K'ton campers cannot bring in any nut products.
- Units who travel will be notified by the unit heads the week prior notifying families if lunch is provided on the trip or if campers must bring their own bagged lunch.
How does the camp handle food allergies?
- We are allergy aware!
- None of the food or snacks served at camp contain nuts.
- There is a full time nurse on site who is aware of all campers’ food allergies and counselors and unit heads are notified accordingly.
- We have nut-free tables for those with nut allergies to sit at with their friends.
- We work with all families to accommodate allergies.
- When possible, a gluten-free and dairy free lunch option is offered.
- Please contact the Camp Office to make arrangements for specific allergies: 908-443-9043
What does a typical day at Camp Ruach look like?
- We create a weekly schedule which is shared with families ahead of each week. Program highlights include twice daily swim including instructional (up through 3rd grade), athletics, art, entertainment, ropes course (2nd grade and older), electives (2nd grade and older), and more!
- Each week’s schedule, the summer campwide calendar, the trip calendar, and the lunch menu, are all posted on the calendars and schedule page of our website.
Does my family have to be Jewish for our child(ren) to attend Camp Ruach?
- Camp Ruach is open to everyone!, you do not have to be Jewish. Both campers and staff come from diverse backgrounds. We celebrate diversity at Camp Ruach!
What type of Jewish programming is offered?
- Our Jewish programming is focused around Jewish culture and values, which we also refer to as human values. We welcome Israeli staff to camp who bring Israeli culture, Hebrew language, and spirit! There is a Jewish value and Hebrew word of the week, a camp wide Challah (traditional egg braided bread) bake, and Israeli dancing and singing. We also end our week with a special Shabbat celebration filled with more singing and dancing, a shared reflection on the week, and of course tasty Challah. Whether you are Jewish or not, we make all programming inclusive and fun for everyone!
Does Camp Ruach have an inclusion program?
- Yes! Camp Ruach runs a few different inclusion programs.
- Camp Ruach Inclusion: This program is designed for campers with disabilities between the ages of 3-14 years old. Depending on the camper’s needs, a 1:1 or 2:1 inclusion counselor is assigned or the camper may be fully integrated without additional support into a group. Specific modifications and support are put in place unique to each camper and all campers are fully integrated into camper groups.
- Chaverim: For campers with disabilities who are 15+ years old. Camp program runs from 9am-3pm with weekly registration options available. Chaverim campers follow a uniquely designed camp schedule exclusive to them.
- For more information on Chaverim, please contact Andy Sun, Assistant Special Services Director at asun@ssbjcc.org or 908-443-9037
- Avodah: This is a new program for individuals with disabilities who are looking for a vocational experience at Camp Ruach. Applicants must be entering at least 10th grade and a decision on acceptance into the program will be determined after review of the application and an in-person interview is conducted.
- For more information on Camp Ruach Inclusion and Avodah, please contact Alanna Steinberg at asteinberg@ssbjcc.org or 908-443-9026.
How does Camp Ruach handle inclement weather?
- We are fortunate to share our campgrounds with the Bridgewater JCC and its beautiful state of the art facilities. There are a few different possibilities for managing inclement weather:
- Groups may transition indoors for certain activity periods
- Units may take a special trip off-site
- Water features may be added to some outdoor activities including sports and ropes
- Extra swim periods may be added
- Sprinkler systems setup throughout the campgrounds
- Regularly scheduled and mandated water breaks throughout the day
Does Camp Ruach offer financial assistance?
- Yes, financial assistance is available to those who qualify. A financial assistance application must be submitted along with supporting documents. Camp Ruach's Scholarship Program is funded through the generosity of JCC member donations, grants and private foundations. If you would like to support the scholarship fund, please visit our donation page. For more information, please visit the Financial Assistance page.