FJC 2025 West Coast Regional Gathering Registration Form 

| Resume a previously saved form
Resume Later

In order to be able to resume this form later, please enter your email and choose a password.

Password must contain the following:
  • 12 Characters
  • 1 Uppercase letter
  • 1 Lowercase letter
  • 1 Number
  • 1 Special character
logo

Foundation for Jewish Camp – 2025 West Coast Regional Gathering Registration Form

The Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center at Camp Ramah in California

Ojai, CA

Tuesday, December 2nd through Thursday, December 4th, 2025


--------------------

Foundation for Jewish Camp is thrilled to open registration for our 2025 West Coast Regional Gathering! This three-day, two-night in-person program for West Coast Overnight Camp Professionals will run from Tuesday, December 2nd – Thursday, December 4th, 2025. The event will be hosted at Camp Ramah in California's beautiful Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center in Ojai – just a couple of hours outside of Los Angeles.


This registration form will serve as your RSVP for the program. Please fill out this form once per attendee.


The registration deadline has been extended! The new deadline to register is Monday, October 20th at 11:59 PM PDT.


PROGRAM OVERVIEW:


PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:


This event is designed to bring together the region's overnight camp professionals for three days of learning, community-building, and professional growth. We are excited to offer a variety of sessions and workshops through which to examine the unique challenges and opportunities facing Jewish overnight camps today. By coming together as a community, we hope to recognize and celebrate the amazing impact that Jewish overnight camps can have, while also providing content and connections to help each camp rise to new heights. Together we can build momentum around what we want the future to look like – for your campers, for your staff, in this community of West Coast Camp Professionals, and for the field of Jewish Camping.

Some highlights of our time together will include:
  • The State of FJC & of The Field: A chance to hear from FJC's Senior Leadership about what's on the horizon, including our new strategic plan (to go into effect in early 2026) and how that will affect FJC's direction and vision for the future of our field. We will also share key trends and data findings from Summer 2025, including digging into specific West Coast regional data analysis.
  • Site Visit: By staying on-site at Camp Ramah, we will get a chance, not only to tour their summer and retreat facilities with their staff, but also to experience their site first-hand to feel how belonging shows up in a camp's facilities. You'll get an up-close look at Camp Ramah's operations as both a summer camp and a thriving retreat and conference center.
  • Networking: This Gathering will give folks the chance to network and connect with other West Coast Jewish Camping professionals. There will be ample opportunity to form connections with those from other camps in roles similar to yours, allowing folks to learn from peers who are potentially facing similar challenges. Professionals who are newer to the field can learn from and connect with field veterans, and those who have been in the field for decades can hear fresh perspectives and ideas from new faces and voices.
  • Community-Building & FUN!: It wouldn't be a camp gathering if there wasn't a little camp fun mixed in! We'll have late-night s'mores around the campfires, there will be games and chances to be silly or let out your inner Maccabiah captain, as well as moments to unwind and connect with nature, soaking in the beautiful Ojai Valley scenery. We want everyone to leave feeling equal parts refreshed and energized, and with at least one new friend! There will be a mix of facilitated community-building activities and informal hang-out time to mingle and get to know new people.
  • Other content & sessions to be announced!

WHERE:


The Gathering will be hosted at Camp Ramah in California's Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center. Located on 450 acres of beautiful land nestled in the scenic hills of the Ojai Valley and adjacent to Los Padres National Forest, the site offers a cozy camp setting, perfect for our gathering of West Coast Overnight Camp Professionals. You can learn more about Camp Ramah's Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center here.

WHEN:


The Gathering will begin on Tuesday, December 2nd and end on Thursday, December 4th. Please note that we expect attendees to be present for the full length of the program (Tuesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon).


On Tuesday, Check-In at Camp Ramah will be from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Programming will start promptly at 3:00 PM. We will wrap up our programming by 1:00 PM on Thursday (ending with a grab-and-go lunch).

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
  • This program is for camp professionals who work in a year-round capacity for a West Coast Overnight Camp that is in FJC's network. Camps considered to be in FJC's West Coast region are those whose summer sites are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, or Washington.
  • We recommend that at least 2 people per camp attend the Gathering, though more are very welcome. One of the attendees from each camp should be the Camp Director. We encourage you to bring as many members from your year-round team as you feel would benefit from the program.
  • This program is perfect for those who work on-site at camp during the summer (i.e. directors, program coordinators, etc.), and is also well-suited to those who work directly on camp programming and operations, whether they spend their summers on site or not (i.e. registrars, development professionals, marketing/recruitment professionals, HR staff, etc.).
  • We welcome a range of levels of tenure/experience in the field and at your camp. Seasoned Executive Directors, new Assistant Directors, early-career professionals, veterans of the field – all are welcome and encouraged to attend.
  • Because one of the main goals of this Gathering is to build community as a region of West Coast Camp Professionals, we encourage you to come even if you may not know other people attending.

PROGRAM COSTS:


FJC is happy to be able to offer this program free of charge – there is no registration fee for this event! However, attendees and their camps are responsible for the cost of getting to/from Camp Ramah (unless you opt in to our free shuttle – see more details below).

At FJC, we don't want financial means to be a barrier to program participation. If the financial burden of transportation/travel costs would prevent you from attending, please reach out to us and we will work with you to try to provide subsidies where possible or support with alternate arrangements to alleviate costs (i.e. support with coordinating carpools). Those interested should reach out to Margot Yecies (margot.yecies@jewishcamp.org) and Margalit Rosenthal (margalit.rosenthal@jewishcamp.org). Please note that any subsidies that we may be able to offer would likely be on a first-come, first-served basis.


What's Included for All Attendees (Costs Covered by FJC): 

  • All meals, snacks, and beverages during the program (Tuesday dinner, Wednesday breakfast/lunch/dinner, and Thursday breakfast/lunch). All provided food will be Kosher.
  • Single-occupancy housing accommodations at Camp Ramah for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Housing will include private bathrooms, and linens will be provided.
  • All programming and activities during the run of the program – workshops, seminars, networking, team-building, and fun!
  • Optional shuttle transportation at the beginning and end of the program. The shuttle will run from the airport to Camp Ramah on Tuesday morning and from Camp Ramah to the airport on Thursday afternoon.

--------


What's NOT Included (Costs Covered by Camps):

  • Transportation and travel-related costs for getting yourself to/from Camp Ramah (for those not taking the shuttle to/from the airport). This includes:
    • Flights
    • Ground transportation (i.e. Ubers, rental cars, etc.)
    • Mileage/gas for those using their own cars

  • Housing accommodations for Monday night or Thursday night, should you need them.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS:


Address: Camp Ramah in California's site is located at 385 Fairview Road, Ojai, CA 93023.


Camp Ramah is located an approximately 45-minute drive east of Santa Barbara and an approximately 1.5 to 2-hour drive northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The site is just a few minutes' drive from charming downtown Ojai, nearby shopping, restaurants, art galleries, and hiking trails.


For Those Flying: Camp Ramah is most accessible to the following airports:

  • Santa Barbara Domestic Airport (SBA) (approx. 40 miles away)
  • Hollywood Burbank Domestic Airport (BUR) (approx. 75 miles away)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (approx. 85 miles away)

Traffic to/from these airports can be highly variable, and it's best to allow ample buffer time, especially if traveling during rush hour or for those traveling in/out of LAX. For those flying, please note that you are fully responsible for booking your own flights. Please make your arrangements no later than Monday, November 3rd.


Arrival Timing: Check-In at Camp Ramah will be from 1:00 – 3:00 PM on Tuesday, December 2nd. Programming will begin promptly at 3:00 PM.

Departure Timing: On Thursday, December 4th, our programming will end with a grab-and-go lunch. All attendees must depart Camp Ramah no later than 1:00 PM.

Optional Shuttle: FJC will be offering a free, optional shuttle at the beginning and end of the program.

  • The shuttle will take attendees from BUR and LAX to Camp Ramah on Tuesday morning. Attendees taking the shuttle to Camp Ramah from BUR or LAX should plan to arrive at the airport by 11:00 AM on Tuesday 12/2.
  • The shuttle will take attendees from Camp Ramah back to BUR and LAX on Thursday afternoon (departing Camp Ramah at approx. 1:00 PM). Attendees taking the shuttle back to BUR or LAX should plan to take flights departing after 5:00 PM on Thursday 12/4.
For those taking the shuttle, FJC will follow up with additional logistics and details as the event approaches.

QUESTIONS?


If you have any questions or concerns, please contact FJC’s Program Operations Assistant, Margot Yecies at margot.yecies@jewishcamp.org.

SAVE & RESUME


You can pause this form at any time and save your work up to that point.  


  • The “Save my progress and resume later” checkbox (at the top of this form) will allow you to save your progress and return to the form at another time. (Though all responses will be saved, when you log back in you will be returned to the beginning of this form.)
  • When you opt to “Save-and-Resume”, you will be asked to submit your email address and a password.
  • Thereafter, you will receive a link to access the incomplete form in the future. If you do not see the email in your inbox, please check your spam folder.
  • This link can be accessed at any time by anyone with the correct credentials by clicking the “Resume a previously saved form” link (at the top and bottom of this form).
  • When you get back to the form through the proper credentials, you will be dropped at the beginning of the form. Please note that as you advance through the form to get back to where you left off, your saved data will be in each question you already responded to.
  • Once you have responded to questions beyond the exact spot where you left off, you will need to start the “Save-and-Resume” process over to do it again. You can go through the “Save-and-Resume" process as many times as needed.
Attendee Information



Include any titles, hyphens, etc. This will be used for name tags, lists, etc.

Include any titles, hyphens, etc. This will be used for name tags, lists, etc.

Examples: they/them, she/her, he/him, he/they, etc.
Note that we will have pronoun pins available at the event for you to wear with your name tag, if you wish.


We will contact you at this number if we need to contact you prior to the in-person program. Please include extensions, if applicable.

We will contact you at this number if we need to contact you during the in-person program.







Emergency Contact Information

Please indicate someone who does not work at your camp and is not joining you for this program that we may contact in case of an emergency.




Attendee's Camp/Role Information

Please choose from the list.
Role Information



The number of years you've worked in the field of Jewish Camp. Please include any summers worked as a seasonal staff member (i.e. as a counselor, specialist, unit head, etc.) as well as any years worked as a year-round camp professional.



Travel/Transportation Information & Needs

At FJC, we don't want financial means to be a barrier to program participation. If the financial burden of transportation/travel costs would prevent you from attending, please reach out to us and we will work with you to try to provide subsidies where possible or support with alternate arrangements to alleviate costs (i.e. support with coordinating carpools). Those interested should reach out to Margot Yecies (margot.yecies@jewishcamp.org) to discuss options. Please note that any subsidies that we may be able to offer would likely be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Getting To/From Camp Ramah






Carpool Details





Shuttle Interest Form
Shuttle Information

FJC will be offering a free, optional shuttle at the beginning and end of the program.

  • The shuttle will take attendees from BUR and LAX to Camp Ramah on Tuesday morning. Attendees taking the shuttle to Camp Ramah from BUR or LAX should plan to arrive at the airport by 11:00 AM on Tuesday 12/2.
  • The shuttle will take attendees from Camp Ramah back to BUR and LAX on Thursday afternoon (departing Camp Ramah at approx. 1:00 PM). Attendees taking the shuttle back to BUR or LAX should plan to take flights departing after 5:00 PM on Thursday 12/4.
For those taking the shuttle, FJC will follow up with additional logistics and details as the event approaches.




Housing Information & Needs
Housing Information

Housing accommodations at Camp Ramah are provided for all program attendees (for the nights of Tuesday, December 2nd and Wednesday, December 3rd). Housing is single-occupancy and includes private bathrooms. Linens (bedding, pillows, and towels) will be provided.

As the program approaches, FJC will follow up with a more comprehensive packing list for attendees. To get a sense of the housing accommodations and facilities at Camp Ramah's Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center, you can check out their website.

Feel free to share any other information we should know about your typical housing at Camp Ramah.

Examples may include accessibility-related needs such as an ADA-compliant room, accessible parking, access to a fridge to store medication, access to outlets for a CPAP machine, etc.

Please note that all rooms will be single-occupancy rooms. If you would like to request otherwise (i.e. if you would prefer to be roomed with another attendee, such as your partner or a friend), please note that above.

NOTE: Attendees will receive their housing assignment upon check-in at Camp Ramah on Tuesday afternoon. If we have questions about your housing needs, we will reach out to you as needed prior to the event.
Dietary Restrictions & Food Allergies
Meal Information

All food provided by FJC will be served in accordance with Jewish dietary law and will be Kosher.

FJC will be covering food for all attendees from dinner on Tuesday through a grab-and-go lunch on Thursday. Snacks and beverages will be provided throughout the Gathering.

Please provide some information on your dietary restrictions so we may better serve you. If you don't need any special arrangements, please still share if there are allergies or medical-related dietary restrictions we should know of in case of emergency.





Accessibility & Accommodations

We want all attendees to be able to show up as their best selves and participate fully in the programming at Camp Ramah. We will work with you to make the experience one that meets your needs. If relevant, FJC may share this information with our point of contact at Camp Ramah or with the workshop facilitators to allow them to fit their content to the needs of our attendees.




Thank you for letting us know. Someone from the FJC team will follow up with you directly in the coming weeks to further discuss your accessibility needs/accommodations.
Other Program Questions

The following questions are intended to help us as we shape the program to the goals, interests, needs, and skills of our participants.



Affinity Spaces



Opportunities to Lead





Acknowledgements & Confirmations

You have almost completed your Registration Form!

Please read and confirm the statements below.
Program Terms & Conditions

Code of Conduct

Foundation for Jewish Camp is committed to creating a respectful, harassment-free environment for all participants, including staff, speakers/facilitators, coaches, and camp professionals. Just as Jewish camps should model safe and healthy communities, Jewish communal gatherings (whether in person or virtual) should be respectful ones in which sexual misconduct and/or violence, sexism, and gender discrimination are not tolerated.

 

This Code of Conduct has been established in order to promote safety and respect throughout the West Coast Regional Gathering. FJC expects all participants to abide by this policy at all venues, including ancillary events and unofficial social gatherings. By signing this Agreement, I agree to adhere to this Code of Conduct.

 

The following behaviors are not permitted during the West Coast Regional Gathering:

●       Demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech;

●       Sexual misconduct of any kind, including unwelcome sexual attention and inappropriate physical contact;

●       Harassment that discriminates against a specific group of people based on age, race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, religion, language, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, health conditions, socioeconomic status, marital status, domestic status, or parental status;

●       Abuse of power (including abuses related to position, wealth, race, or gender).

 

If, while participating in this program, you have been involved in or have witnessed an incident that violates this Code of Conduct, please contact FJC's Senior Director of Human Resources, People, & Culture, Liz Buetow (liz.buetow@jewishcamp.org). All reports will be treated as confidential and investigated, and appropriate action will be taken, which could include being barred from all program activities or, if necessary, being referred to the authorities. Thank you for helping to make the West Coast Regional Gathering a welcoming space for all.


Photo & Video Release


I do hereby give the Foundation for Jewish Camp, its third party sponsors and partners (collectively, the "Foundation for Jewish Camp Parties") the irrevocable right to use the picture(s), portrait(s), photograph(s), video(s) and/or likeness(es) (collectively, the "images" and "videos") of myself in all forms and in all media (including, without limitation, third party media) and in all manners, including composite or distorted representations, for any other lawful purposes. For the avoidance of doubt, I expressly agree that the rights granted in this paragraph shall include the right of the Foundation for Jewish Camp Parties to authorize third party newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media to publish the images and videos.


I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished version(s), including copy that may be created in connection therewith. I further agree that I have no right, title, and/or interest in any of the images and videos.


General Waiver


To the fullest extent permitted by law, I shall release, indemnify, and hold harmless Foundation for Jewish Camp, its agents, and employees from and against any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of or resulting from my participation in this program.


I understand that Foundation for Jewish Camp will use the information on this form to contact me periodically with important updates and information, such as our monthly newsletter. We respect your privacy and will store your personal information securely. You can unsubscribe at any time.


OPTIONAL: Demographic Information

FJC aims to create a culture of belonging and inclusion as we commit to being welcoming and affirming to participants representing the fullness of our community with diversity in gender, race, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, and Jewish background/practice.

The following demographic questions are intended to assess how we are doing at engaging members of various identities in our programming and to ensure that our programming efforts are effectively serving our diverse community. Responses to these questions will support us in our efforts to be mindful of the composition of our community.

Your responses will be kept fully confidential. All questions below are completely optional.
Jewish & Religious Identity









Language


Racial/Ethnic Identity




Gender Identity


Sexual Orientation


Age

Save my progress and resume later | Resume a previously saved form