Seven smiling children sit outdoors on the grass, wearing summer clothes, hats, and backpacks. Trees and greenery are in the background, suggesting they are at a park or camp.

The Big Idea at Ramah Day Camp

BIG IDEA @ Ramah Day Camp Greater DC (BI-RDC) first launched in Kayitz 2024 as a partnership between BIG IDEA, an Israeli technology-based camp, and Ramah Day Camp Greater DC. For over 15 years, BIG IDEA has inspired children and teens through meaningful experiences that blend technology, digital arts, Israeli culture, and social connection. Through this collaboration, we bring Israel—and the creative, entrepreneurial spirit of the “Start-up Nation”—to our campers each summer.

BIG IDEA recruits and trains Israeli shlichim (staff members) who are both highly skilled and passionate about leading hands-on specialty workshops. These workshops use BIG IDEA’s proven methodologies and materials, grounded in more than 15 years of expertise, training, and educational innovation. An Israeli site supervisor joins the team each summer to provide oversight and ensure program excellence. Ramah Day Camp hires and trains additional staff, including a dedicated Yoetz/et (Camper Care Specialist), to support the group and enhance the camper experience.

BI-RDC is held at the same site as our classic camp. Campers will participate in a combination of technology-based workshops and “unplugged” arts & sports activities alongside the Israeli staff in a dynamic and engaging way. We welcome children to add additional sessions in BIG IDEA or our Classic Camp program as desired.

This brief video highlights a couple of the technology workshop options.

Read our FAQ’s below to learn more details about the BIG IDEA program.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What are the “Key Features” of BIG IDEA @ Ramah Day Camp Greater DC?

A: BIG IDEA Key features include:

Innovation: Campers have the opportunity to develop and work on their technological ideas, fostering skills in innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Jewish Life: The program often incorporates Jewish learning, values, and Israeli culture into the BIG IDEA workshops, helping campers connect their Jewish heritage with their creative endeavors.
Personal Development: Campers are encouraged to discover their passions and then take on leadership roles in their workshops, enhancing their leadership skills and self-confidence.
Community and Connection: The camp experience fosters a sense of community and belonging among campers, helping them build lasting friendships and connections.

A group of boys gather around a table, excitedly working on a small robot together in a sunlit room. Some wear colorful shirts, and one boy points at the robot as others watch and interact with it.

A group of children sit in a circle on striped mats outside, listening to an adult who is showing items on the ground. Trees provide shade and there are cars parked on pavement in the background.

Q: How do the sessions work?

A: In 2027, BI-RDC will run three 2-week sessions and a final 1-week session. The program is available to all ages at different points during the summer:

Session A (June 21-July 2) is open to current Kindergarteners – 6th graders.
Session B (July 6-16) and Session C (July 19-30) is open to current 2nd – 6th graders.
Final Week (August 2-6) is open to current Pre-K (PK4) – 1st graders.

Campers currently in Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grades will rotate through our exciting 35-minute workshops; older campers (current 2nd grade and above) will chose two 90-minute workshops per session. Workshop options will change by session so campers may attend multiple sessions and not get bored!

Each day will also include a couple exciting, non-STEM camp activities such as Har Ramah (our climbing tower), teva (nature), omanut (art), and sports.

Campers must register for a full session. We welcome children to add additional sessions in our Classic Program at Ramah Day Camp and/or our overnight camp Camp Ramah New England as desired.

Q: What does a day at BIG IDEA camp look like?

A: To learn more about a typical day and see a sample schedule, please click here.

Q: What types of technology workshops will be offered and how often do they occur?

A: Campers currently in 2nd grade and older will choose two 90-minute sadna’ot which they will participate in daily for the entire 2-week session. Tech workshops may include: Graphic Design, Animation, You Tube Show, Gaming Lab, Web Design, Mobile Apps Development, Lego Robotics 3D Modeling, or Escape Room. Workshop options will vary by session and will partially depend on how many campers are signed up per session, but campers will have some choice.

Two smiling boys stand indoors holding certificates of completion. One certificate is for Game Design and Graphic Design, and the other is for Lego Robotics and 3D Modeling. They appear happy and proud of their achievements.

Younger campers (aka Little BIG IDEA), PK4 – 1st graders, will enjoy age-appropriate workshops such as: Coding, LEGO Park, Color Lab, Young Engineers, and more! All of these activities nurture early computational thinking, creativity, scientific discovery, and imaginative play.

Q: Is my child going to be on a screen all day?

A: Your child will not be on a screen all day! They are mostly going to be social, working in pairs and teams, building new things, solving problems, and overcoming challenges. While screen time at home usually means consuming content or playing games, at BI-RDC campers acquire skills that change that into valuable creations and a bridge to building new deep connections with each other.

In addition, we let their brains take many breaks during the day, including the “Zman Migvan” sessions. Z’man Migvan activities include omanut (art), sports, teva (nature), Har Ramah (climbing tower), chetz v’keshet (archery), and hava (farm).

A group of children sit on grass, gathered around a SkinnyPop popcorn box, feeding and gently holding a small gray bird. They appear curious and engaged outdoors on a sunny day.

Please see the FAQ above “A Typical Day at Camp” to learn more.

Q: What makes this different from other technology-based camps?

A: Everything you love about Ramah comes with the BI-RDC package. This means that Jewish living and values are incorporated into the fabric of camp. From daily tefilot and brachot to Hebrew language and learning Israeli history and culture, campers will be connected to Judaism and Israel. In addition, Ramah’s values are to build community among campers and staff and to make sure that each person is cared for in accordance to their individual needs. We want to work with you to help set up your child for success.

It is important to us that your camper LOVES their workshops. It is also important to us that this is more than just a technology camp. We want them to make friendships, connect with their counselors, and have a great time learning new skills and mixing it up during their “Zman Migvan” activities.

This is a partnership between one of the most trusted tech camp programs and brands, BIG IDEA. We are incorporating our curriculum and program with one that has proved to be one of the best out there, with thousands of kids in Israel, and globally, going through it over the past 15 years. A group of children and adults pose together in front of a red fire truck inside a fire station. Most of the children wear colorful, tie-dye shirts, while some adults wear maroon shirts. Everyone is smiling.

Q: How does this camp appeal to a variety of campers?

A: We know that choice is important to children. They will have some options in their sadna’ot (STEM workshops). We do our best to ensure there is a variety of workshop offerings to appeal to a diversity of audiences, ages, genders, experiences with technology, and interests.

In addition to their sadna’ot, BIG IDEA campers participate in “Z’man Migvan” (literally, diverse time) rotations twice daily just as our Classic Camp and Sha’ar campers do. As stated earlier, Z’man Migvan activities include omanut (art), sports, teva (nature), Har Ramah (climbing tower), chetz v’keshet (archery), and hava (farm). During a one- or two-week session, campers have an opportunity to try out all of these camp favorites!

A young child wearing a red cap closely looks at a laptop screen displaying a digital art project, with another child sitting beside them at a table in a classroom setting.

Q: Do BIG IDEA campers go swimming?

A: BIG IDEA campers do not have daily swim. However, on Fridays, they will join another Ramah Day Camp edah (division) for free swim.

Q: Is Financial Aid available?

A: Yes, we do all that we can to make it possible for everyone to experience a summer at Ramah. A financial aid form will be made available in your Camp Minder account after you register for camp and pay your deposit. Financial aid applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage families to apply as soon as possible.

If you have questions about the financial aid process, please contact Sharon Rosenberg Safra, Director.

Q: My child is registered for RDC's Classic camp program, but now they want to switch into this program instead. Is that possible?

A: If we have room in the grade-appropriate BIG IDEA session(s), then YES, we would be happy to switch your child into this track. Please contact RDC’s Registrar Zach Krausman if you want to make a program switch.

A group of kids wearing swim goggles play and swim in a bright blue outdoor pool. One child in the foreground throws their arms up in excitement, while others splash and enjoy the water together.

Q: This all sounds fabulous! How do I sign up?

A: The link to our online application for both new and returning families can be found here. On page 1 of the application, it will ask you to select a session. Look for the “DC Day Camp Big Idea Program” option. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.