Financial Assistance

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Camp Ramah is committed to ensuring that every family has the opportunity to give their child the enriching benefits of a Jewish summer camp experience.

As a non-profit, Ramah’s scholarship funds are limited. That’s why we request that families exhaust all other sources before turning to Camp Ramah for financial assistance. In many communities, new campers automatically qualify for a One Happy Camper or PJ Goes to Camp first year incentive.

RESOURCES

One Happy Camper

Your first-time camper may be eligible for a One Happy Camper grant of $700 towards a two-week camp tuition or $1,000 towards a four- or six-week camp tuition!

After registering for Camp Ramah in Northern California, review the information here and feel free to reach out to Branden Johnson (branden@ramahnorcal.org) with questions.

Israeli-American Family Grant

This is a first-year camper incentive grant for Israeli-Americans in California, Washington, and Oregon, who are attending camps in those areas. This is a higher amount than the traditional One Happy Camper grants, and it cannot be combined with OHC. All other OHC eligibility applies. Please view eligibility as well as grant amounts at www.jewishcamp.org/israeli

Synagogue Based Scholarships

Contact your local synagogue for information regarding camp scholarships and deadlines. Be sure to also speak with your rabbi, local Sister/Brotherhoods and Jewish Family Services.

Military Families

In appreciation of their service to the United States, families with at least one parent in active American military service are eligible for a tuition discount at all Ramah overnight camps. Contact Branden Johnson (branden@ramahnorcal.org) for more information.

CAMP RAMAH IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S NEED-BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

Applications for first-time camper incentive grants or need-based assistance, both require that you FIRST register your child for the upcoming summer at Camp Ramah in Northern California and pay the deposit. Families applying for need-based financial aid may pay a reduced deposit if needed. If the application fee causes your family hardship, please contact Branden Johnson (branden@ramahnorcal.org) to discuss options.

To apply for need-based financial assistance (after you have contacted local sources), please:

• Submit a letter including a specific dollar amount that you are seeking from Camp Ramah in Northern California.
• In your request letter, please include how much you spend annually on travel, any unique circumstances, and whether you are applying for additional assistance from other sources, including your local Jewish Federation or synagogue.
• Include a copy of the first two pages of your federal tax return and copies of schedules A, B, C & D, if applicable. If you have not yet filed your tax returns, you may submit your returns from the prior year and can note in your letter if you anticipate any differences in your income or expenses. (The committee may ask for verification once the latest forms are filed.) Please do not delay the submission of your request due to not having filed your taxes.
• Letters for request and supporting financial documentation should be emailed confidentially to scholarship@ramahnorcal.org. Note: If you send password-protected files you must also provide the password to avoid any delays in processing your application. (If preferred, you may also mail to Camp Ramah – 969-G Edgewater Blvd Ste. 804, Foster City, CA 94404, ATTN: Financial Assistance Committee.)

All requests for need-based assistance are reviewed confidentially by the Scholarship Committee of Ramah NorCal’s Board of Directors. Funds are limited and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis with a final application deadline of May 1. The initial reviews will take place in December. We recommend completing the scholarship application immediately after submitting your camper’s registration for the highest likelihood of receiving the award amount requested.

We look forward to welcoming your camper(s) to

Camp Ramah in Northern California this summer!