Rabbi Menkes’s Ranch Camp

Machaneh Mamosh, directed by Rabbi and Mrs. Shlomo Menkes celebrated its 10th year in California with a super month of learning, discovery and fun.

The camp’s four sleep-away programs “Gan Israel Ranch Camp”, Bar Mitzvah Camp, Matzavnikim and Staff In Training, for campers aged 10-16 were designed to bring out the best in each and every camper.

Beginning with a great staff of bochurim and a spectacular setting in the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains the programs combined activities that challenged campers while helping them grow spiritually, physically and socially.

Learning and davening coupled with an emphasis on personal growth are the foundation of the Gan Yisroel spirit that permeates the program. Campers are not challenged against each other but rather against themselves. Campers are encouraged to do the best that they can and reach the heights of their G-d-given abilities.

Shabbos davening and meal times are full of singing (can you guess which song was most popular this year?) and Rabbi Menkes’s suspenseful and meaningful stories.

Hiking, swimming, horseback riding and speed boating are the anchor of activities. Discovering the beauty of the surrounding mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades were the highlight of trips. Campers climbed snow covered hillsides in order to reach the boiling, steaming ground at the center of the caldera of the active Lassen Volcano. They entered underground gold mines and panned for gold in the rushing streams of the Feather River watershed. They swam in swimming holes fed by gushing waterfalls.

They learned generations old ranching activities such as catching calfs for tagging, moving water lines that irrigate the grazing fields and working hay balers. They learned how farm animals care for their young and how ranchers teach animals how to “adopt” offspring that have been orphaned. Throwing a lariat and actually catching a cow is no joke, and now campers can do it.

Living on a farm requires the handling of firearms and knives so they learned how to to handle and use them safely. Each camper is awarded a pocket knife after passing a training course. Target practice and whittling are just some of the skills they were taught. For arts and crafts, campers created from raw hide and finished hides, their very own leather Tefilin bags, riding reins and other leather items.

The camp’s 21 ft. speed boat is the platform for tons of fun. A huge lake was the backdrop for water skiing, speed tubing or just jumping in for a swim.

Registration for 5772 opens Chanukah time, but it’s never too early to get on the list, Rabbi Menkes says with a smile.