A white veil lightly glides atop pine needles. At the end of the dirt packed aisle is the love of your life, surrounded by your college buddies, other camp alumni, and your beloved parents. The smell of your favorite comforting meal, chili, spills from the dining hall windows. There is a warm campfire roaring alive as the sun sets behind the foothills. This one-of-a-kind place is as familiar as a path you have traversed hundreds of times. Now, it’s the permanent trail marker reminding you where you have been and simultaneously ushering you into the rest of your life. Gina McReynolds and Jay Judd’s wedding at JCC Ranch Camp was just that.  

Gina began working at JCC Ranch Camp at nineteen years old, sparking her love affair with the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center. For twenty years, she worked at the J as a camp counselor, Early Learning School educator, Ranch Camp Assistant Director, and eventually the Ranch Camp Retreats Director. Gina explains how the Jewish community has affected her life deeply, although neither herself nor her husband identify as Jewish. “The feeling of ‘you belong here’ fit me even as a non-Jewish person. The J is so inclusive. I even got to lead Rosh Chodesh programming with the help of the Judaics instructor when I was a counselor. It was such a breath of fresh air. I gained so much personally and spiritually working in a Jewish space.” Gina and Jay felt a kinship to Ranch Camp, knowing immediately it was where they wanted their married life to begin. Gina says, “I met Jay through a mutual friend who was also teaching at the JCC Early Learning School. We dated throughout much of my time working at Ranch Camp. He would visit for Shabbat dinners, on weekends, and throughout the off-season. It became a big part of our relationship.” Jay, although not a Ranch Camp alumnus himself, felt the same deep connection as showcased by their camp themed wedding. They asked teen campers to perform the wedding music while Gina walked down the aisle. And the camp directors at the time, Miriam and Gilad Shwartz, officiated their ceremony. From every detail to decoration, Gina and Jay’s wedding screamed, “We love Ranch Camp!” 

Some highlights included being married under the pines and having the flexibility of choice over which spaces they wished to utilize. Gina shares, “It was all incredibly customizable. I brought all my own decor, my own ideas, and my own vibe. For example, I added wildflowers and sage from the surrounding area in my bouquet. We even had our guests play a kickball game during the day, enjoy a campfire, a starlit night hike, and then sleep overnight in the cabins and cottages. Our photos were unbeatable with the trees, the rustic cabins, and iconic camp venues.  Ourselves and our guests got to experience camp to its fullest.” A wedding at Ranch Camp might be considered rustic, outdoorsy, and unique. Yet it’s also warm, personal, and truly iconic – the place where your wedding dreams can come true.