Ramah Darom is a Jewish summer camp affiliated with the Conservative movement in Clayton, Georgia.

History

Ramah Darom opened in 1997. The camp aims to inspire a lifelong love of Jewish values, tradition and community. Ramah Darom is located on 128.19 acre of land in the Appalachian Valley. The lake is fed by mountain brooks and a 100 ft waterfall. The camp is surrounded by over 10000 acre of wilderness and hiking trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Ramah Darom attracts campers and staff from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Israel, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas, and Nebraska. The camp is co-ed, Hebrew speaking, and kosher. All staff are college or university students. The summer is divided into two four-week sessions, Aleph and Bet. Generally campers attend one session, while some opt to go both sessions. The minimum eidah (age-group) to attend either Session Aleph or Bet is Nitzanim. rising 4th graders. The minimum edah to attend both Session Aleph and Bet is Chalutzim, rising 6th graders. However, for the oldest edah, Gesher, attendance to both sessions is required. Rabbi Loren Sykes, the camp's first director, was replaced by Geoff Menkowitz, a former Assistant Director, and then Anna Serviansky. The staff includes a delegation of Israelis.

Special needs programs

The Tikvah Support Program was inaugurated in 2015. This program offers a summer experience for campers diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Tikvah Support Staff members are specially trained to work with children in this program. It is open to children in sixth through twelfth grade. The camp also hosts Camp Yofi, a special 5-day session (held after the main sessions) for families with autistic children. Programs and activities are provided for the children and their siblings, as well as the parents.