Health Protocols & Vaccination Policies

Among our most cherished Jewish values is the importance of preserving life and maintaining health. Reducing the risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses from entering any of our programs is the single most effective strategy we can take to protect the health and wellbeing of our community. This goal can only be accomplished through the appropriate vaccination of all those in residence at Ramah Darom. Despite the best precautions taken to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, a shared living and eating environment increases the risk of transmission. While we respect that individual families may choose to forgo vaccinations, we cannot compromise the safety of our community as a whole.

Ramah Darom requires that all individuals, families and programmatic staff attending or working at any Ramah Darom program (including Camp Ramah Darom and all Ramah Darom Retreats) adhere to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as outlined in US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) Recommended Immunization Schedules. You can find the complete Immunization Schedules at these links:

CDC Recommended Immunization Schedule for Age 18 Years and Younger
CDC Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for Age 19 Years and Older

Note that Ramah Darom strongly recommends, but does not require, the Covid-19 vaccine.

If you are not sure which vaccines you or your child(ren) have received, please ask your healthcare provider. Note: Not all states have the same requirements, but ALL CDC recommended immunizations (other than the Covid-19 vaccine) are required at Ramah Darom.

ATTENTION FLORIDA FAMILIES: Camp Ramah Darom requires two vaccines not on the Florida school vaccination form. The Meningitis Vaccine and Hep A Vaccine for children 12 and older are not required by the state of Florida but ARE required by Ramah Darom.

Camp Ramah Darom campers are required to upload proof of all immunizations. The Ramah Darom Retreat registration agreement asks guests to affirm that everyone included on their registration meets all immunization requirements. 

Vaccination Exemptions

There are exceptions to the Ramah Darom vaccination policy, but they are extremely rare. We recognize that individuals who have had a documented severe allergy or severe adverse reaction to a particular vaccine may not be able to complete the immunization schedule outlined by the AAP and the CDC. Additionally, individuals with medical conditions such as congenital immunodeficiency or HIV, cancer and who are receiving chemotherapy, transplant patients, and persons receiving immunosuppressive drugs and chronic steroids also may not be able to receive certain vaccines.

We are happy to discuss case-by-case management of these circumstances of medical contraindication to partial or complete vaccination.

Process for Vaccinations Exemption Requests for Summer Camp

Any exemption requests must be submitted by April 1st. Exemption requests should be addressed to the Ramah Darom Medical Committee and emailed to Ramah Darom’s CEO. Requests must include current documentation from a Physician (MD or DO), or a Pediatric/Family Practice Advanced Practice Nurse (ARNP or PNP), describing the reason for exemption from immunization. Requests will be kept confidential and reviewed by our Medical Committee Chair, in consultation with members of the Ramah Darom Medical Committee. Ramah Darom is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy community and only grants vaccination exemptions in very rare circumstances.

Process for Vaccinations Exemption Requests for Ramah Darom Retreats

Any exemption requests should be addressed to the Ramah Darom Medical Committee and emailed to Ramah Darom’s CEO at least 30 days before the start of the retreat. Requests must include current documentation from a Physician (MD or DO), or a Pediatric/Family Practice Advanced Practice Nurse (ARNP or PNP), describing the reason for exemption from immunization. Requests will be kept confidential and reviewed by our Medical Committee Chair, in consultation with members of the Ramah Darom Medical Committee as required. Ramah Darom is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy community and only grants vaccination exemptions in very rare circumstances.

Retreat attendees are asked to monitor their health before arriving to Ramah Darom’s campus. If you have symptoms of illness or believe you have been directly exposed to a communicable disease, we ask that you not attend the program to avoid the risk of transmission to our other guests and staff. We highly recommend purchasing Trip Protection Insurance as we are not able to refund your registration fees in the event of a last-minute cancelation.

Vaccinations: Ramah Darom requires that all individuals, families and programmatic staff attending or working at any Ramah Darom program (including Camp Ramah Darom and all Ramah Darom Retreats) adhere to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as outlined in US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) Recommended Immunization Schedules. You can find the complete Immunization Schedules in the section “Ramah Darom Vaccination Policies” above. Note that Ramah Darom strongly recommends, but does not require, the Covid-19 vaccine. The Retreat registration agreement asks guests to affirm that everyone included on their registration meets all immunization requirements.

Covid-19 testing: No Covid testing is required for attendance at Ramah Darom retreats, but if you have symptoms of Covid or believe you have been directly exposed, we ask that you not attend the program.

If you are ill, receive a positive Covid test result or are directly exposed to Covid or any other communicable disease in the days leading up to your arrival at Ramah Darom and unable to attend a program, unfortunately we are not able to refund your registration fees. We highly recommend purchasing Trip Protection Insurance.

To make sure the Marp (Health Center) staff is well prepared to care for all campers, it is imperative that families complete and submit all medical and health information on your family dashboard. Camp Ramah Darom requires an up-to-date Health History signed by your camper’s Health Care Provider, and all medical forms must be submitted in order for your child to attend Camp. If you have any questions or concerns, please email medical@ramahdarom.org.

Vaccinations: Ramah Darom requires that all individuals, families and programmatic staff attending or working at any Ramah Darom program (including Camp Ramah Darom and all Ramah Darom Retreats) adhere to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as outlined in US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) Recommended Immunization Schedules. You can find the complete Immunization Schedules in the section “Ramah Darom Vaccination Policies” above. Campers are required to upload proof of all immunizations.

Covid-19: We strongly recommend, but do not require, that campers and staff be up to date with vaccinations against Covid-19. At Camp, we treat Covid like any other virus – that is, campers or staff who have a fever, who are very ill or who need medical attention will stay in the Marp until they have been fever-free for 24 hours and/or their symptoms are improving.

Please see the section on the Camp Enrollment Policies page entitled “Changes, Cancellations & Refunds” for details on our refund policies for campers who withdraw for documented medical reasons, or for declined vaccination exemption requests.

Each year dozens of groups rent the Ramah Darom campus to run their own programs. While we highly encourage all groups renting our campus to adopt their own health protocols and policies, the above Ramah Darom policies and protocols do not apply to rental groups.