For you, the “Gold Rush” may conjure images of Western settlers and pioneer families eager for the American Dream. But at JCC Ranch Camp, “Gold Rush” is another night of wild fun filled with bandana-wearing bandits, root beer floats, and a faux gold scavenger hunt. Nights at JCC Ranch Camp are overflowing with imagination and laughter while the days are packed with sports and sweat. Although the summer may be over, the friendships, Jewish connection, and self-discovery that is explored throughout the summer persists all year long.

JCC Ranch Camp is overnight Jewish summer camp in the beautiful Black Forest of Colorado. Kids come from all over the United States to horseback ride, hike, bike, backpack, dance, and celebrate Shabbat. Ranch Camp is a place for young people to be authentically themselves and explore what Judaism means to them. Katelyn Skeen just completed her seventeenth summer at camp this year. She was nine when she first started as a camper and has since graduated from being a camper to a staff member, from Assistant Director to the Director of Ranch Camp. She shares, “I was the type of camper that would come home at the end of the summer only to start counting down the days to the start of the next. I never cried when I was dropped off but always cried when I left.” Ranch Camp has that type of longstanding effect. Like the reliability of the sun, it rises to a peak in June and inevitably sets in August. It may appear to be gone throughout the rest of the year, but it remains steadfast, always rising again the next summer.

This summer, every day was a little different from the day before. Mornings included scheduled activities like swimming, art, and Judaics. Then in the afternoons, campers enjoyed their freedom during free choice with cooking, writing, and moviemaking. The evening programs were a mystery to the campers until they occurred. This summer, campers enjoyed the shuk (Hebrew for market) where they crafted and sold homemade goods to each other, as well as a talent show, campfire, and Gold Rush.

Although Ranch Camp is brimming with activities, personal growth and friendships keep campers and staff alike wishing that summer was everlasting. Katelyn adds, “I loved backpacking as a camper. It felt special to prove to myself that I could do something outside of my comfort zone. This space helps kids overcome challenges like that. They have independence and choice over what they do each day, which builds self-confidence and resilience.” Rachel Szurek, Assistant Director of Camper Wellness, shared that one camper’s personal journey really stood out this year. “As a Camp Shai graduate, this was his first summer in ‘Mini Camp.’ He is really the best kind of camper. He’s friends with everybody and interested in everything. He opted for a free-choice activity called ‘Compliment Fairy’ where campers write complements and appreciation to peers and staff. He not only chose to be in this activity, but he was intentional with everything he wrote. He must have spent fifteen minutes on each note to various kitchen staff, directors, and his friends. It was spectacular to witness this kindness in a seven-year-old.”

Ranch Campers spent the summer growing into themselves as young people, building relationships, and exploring their spirituality. Camp concluded the same way it always does – with the tradition of singing John Denver’s words, “Don’t know when I’ll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go,” and campers rubbing dirt into their clothes during the closing ceremony. Because even if they aren’t in that sacred place during the year, camp is always with them and eagerly waiting for their return next summer.