FAQ | Adamah Adventures, Adventure Camp and Teen Travel Tours for Jewish Teens and Kids

Q. What is different about Adamah Adventures?
A. Adamah Adventures is a new kind of summer offering that takes the best of traditional Jewish summer camps — the friends, the traditions, the sense of community — and then adds this new, exciting layer of travel and hands-on, outdoor adventure.

Q. What kind of support has Adamah Adventures received?
A. In addition to the support of an outstanding advisory committee of Jewish leaders from across the country, Adamah Adventures was selected to be part of the Specialty Camp Incubator of the Foundation for Jewish Camps, a program that is generously funded by the Jim Joseph Foundation.

Q. Will each camper interact directly with Adam and Bobbee?
A. Yes! Adam and Bobbee created Adamah Adventures because they want to work with teens and because they want campers to experience the joy, beauty, and excitement of the outdoors. And so, both Bobbee and Adam will meet with each teen and family prior to their registering for an Adamah Adventure. In addition, they will both be at Base Camp for the start and end of each trek and will also travel with each trek group at some point during their adventure.

Q. How is Adamah Adventures different from other outdoor adventure programs?
A. At Adamah Adventures, we want our campers to explore and to succeed. Some outdoor programs are designed to push teens far outside of their comfort zones to increase their physical limits. Adamah Adventures isn’t about pushing teens to their limits but encouraging them to try – to take on new challenges in a supportive and safe environment. We want to inspire our Jewish teens’ sense of adventure, self-confidence and independence. Unlike other outdoor adventure programs which tend to be one-time experiences, the program at Adamah Adventures is structured to encourage teens to come back summer after summer.

Q. Why are the Adamah Adventure treks 18 days?
A. We know that teens have a lot of demands on their time, so an 18-day adventure gives us plenty of time to explore the outdoors without monopolizing the entire summer. You can have your adventure and your summer too.

Q. How old does my teen need to be?
A. We have treks available for teens entering grades 6-12 in the fall. Our grade requirements for each trek are really just recommendations. Call us if you want to discuss your teen, and which trek might be the best fit for them.

Q. How do I stay in touch with my camper?
A. You will be able send email messages to your campers on a regular basis. In addition, we have a secure section of our website where we will regularly post pictures, video, and blog updates throughout the summer.

Q. What if my teen has never camped before?
A. Then Adamah Adventures will be a wonderful introduction to the excitement of being outdoors. To prepare our campers, each teen begins their trek with two days of basic wilderness training at Base Camp. Here they will learn some of the basics, such as how to set up a tent and start a campfire. The campers are then placed in small trek groups (10-12 teens) that are guided by three experienced Adamah Adventure staff. The small groups allow each teen the chance to help others and to be helped in return.

Q. Where will my teen be sleeping?
A. While at Base Camp, teens sleep on bunk beds in comfortable dorm rooms. On the trek, our campers will be sleeping in tents at campsites in state and national parks. On occasion, teens will stay in lodges, cabins, or hostels.

Q. Do parents drive the campers to Base Camp? And pick them up there?
A. There are two options - you can drop off and pick up at Base Camp, and we also pick up and drop off campers at their gates at the Atlanta and Seattle airports. We'll send you all of the details in the Parent Handbook in the spring.

Q. Do you provide transportation to and from the airport?
A. Absolutely. If your child is flying to Atlanta or Seattle, our staff will meet them at their gate upon arrival and take them to Base Camp. Please speak with one of our staff members prior to booking your flights.

Q. How are your activities different from other outdoor adventure programs?
A. We carefully design our itineraries with your teens in mind. Every trek includes a wide variety of outdoor activities. While some adventure programs spend the majority of their trips hiking and backpacking, we put more of an emphasis on adventure sports, such as rafting and rock climbing.

Q. What happens if it rains?
A. A light rain will not affect our plans – hiking in a summer rain can be wonderful — but a heavy downpour or electrical storms could mean a change in plans. If there is seriously inclement weather, we are prepared with alternate sleeping arrangements and indoor activities that could include going to a movie or doing a community service project.

Q. What will my teen need (in way of equipment) to participate?
A. All group gear, such as tents and cooking equipment is provided by Adamah Adventures. After you register, you’ll receive a detailed packing list that explains everything your teen will need to bring to camp. The packing list includes information on where to find certain clothing and gear. We know that outdoor clothing and gear can be expensive; so, we strive to keep your cost as low as possible, and can loan certain items if needed.

Q. Can a camper opt out of an activity?
A. While we encourage campers to at least try every activity, we will never force any camper to do something that makes him or her uncomfortable. We recognize that campers have different comfort and experience levels coming in to each activity. Whenever possible, we offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced versions of each activity. For example, when rock climbing, we set up multiple routes in the same area, allowing campers to climb to their comfort level. If a camper doesn’t wish to climb, they can help belay, or cheer their fellow campers on! If you have questions about a specific activity, please contact one of our staff members.

Q. What if my teen doesn’t read/know Hebrew?
A. No problem. Teens can still be actively involved in all of our rituals, discussions and celebrations without knowing any Hebrew. Much of what we do is in English and knowledge of Hebrew is not necessary.

Q. Will there be daily services?
A. While we do not have formal daily services, prayer is a part of our daily routine. We recite blessings of thanksgiving before and after our meals, and take time for personal and group reflection. Depending on what we experience during each day, we may say a prayer after seeing a rainbow or summiting a mountain, or recite Sh’ma during a sunrise hike.

Q. Do campers have to be Jewish?
A. Judaism is an integral part of our program and daily routine. Campers do not have to be Jewish, but should be open to being part of a Jewish community.

Q. Can I send food with my camper?
A. Please don’t. There will be lots of delicious, kosher style food available to our campers. In fact, campers have a real say in planning and preparing meals so they can shape what they eat. With this hands-on approach, Adamah Adventures can accommodate any eater – vegetarian, vegan, carnivore or just plain picky.

Q. What if my teen doesn’t really know how to cook?
A. They will by the end of the summer – at least the basics – how to grill a burger, scramble an egg, or plan a meal. All a camper needs to help cook is the desire to learn and clean hands. We’ll take care of the rest.

Q. How do I reach you in an emergency?
A. While camp is in session, we can be reached 24 hours a day at (404) 297-4914.

Q. What if a camper gets sick?
A. In most cases, a sick camper remains with their group, and rests for a day or two until they feel better. If their symptoms do not improve, we will seek medical assistance in consultation with our on-call camp doctor, and of course with parental involvement.

Q. How do you deal with medical emergencies?
A. Our staff is highly trained in wilderness medicine, as well as in emergency procedures. Our response to a medical emergency depends on several factors, including proximity to EMS, severity of injury, and the number of people involved. During an emergency, staff members maintain constant communication with our directors, who are best able to coordinate the appropriate response.

Q. How do I know which trek is right for my child?
A. Talk to us! We would welcome the chance to talk to you about your teen and the Adamah Adventure program. Together we can figure out the most exciting, gratifying adventure for your teen. Just pick up the phone and give us a call.

Q. Why should I send my child to something so new?
A. Everyone will be new and eager to make new friends. And your teen can say, “I was there when it all began…” This will be an exciting summer of firsts and your teen can be part of it, can help us establish traditions and launch a program that other teens will be a part of for many summers to come.

Q. How will Adamah Adventures inspire my teen?
A. Each camper is different but we can tell you about the experience of some of the teens who went on our pilot treks. They came home with a new sense of what they could accomplish along with a new maturity and independence. Often they made better grades, became leaders at their schools, were more involved in the larger Jewish community, and stayed in touch with trek friends for a long time after.

Q. Can friends sign up to do the Adamah Adventure together?
A. Absolutely. We welcome friends, siblings, cousins – duos, trios – to experience Adamah Adventures together. Sometimes, doing something new with friends makes the whole process seem more manageable. But remember, everyone will be new and eager to make friends, as Adamah Adventures is new.

Q. How will Adamah Adventures grow?
A. Within five years, we want to be serving hundreds of Jewish teens across the region. We want campers traveling to destinations from coast to coast, and participating in adventures climbing mountains, rafting rivers, kayaking along the ocean shore, all while building a strong and vibrant community that is rooted in our three thousand year-old Jewish values and traditions. We hope to see our campers return throughout the years and come back as staff to lead trips. We also have plans for a counselor-in-training program allowing older campers to help lead trips for the younger campers.

Q. Are you a non-profit?
A. Yes, we are a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, we rely heavily on donations to continue to provide programming, trips, and scholarships to Jewish teens.

Q. What's included in the cost?
A. We try to include everything in the cost so there are very few additional costs later on. Once you arrive at base camp, all transportation, food, and activities are included. We provide all group camping gear, and can provide sleeping bags and backpacks as well if you prefer not to bring your own!

Q. Can campers bring phones, or other, electronics?
A. Cell phones are not permitted. This is a chance to break out of the every day – to escape the texting and the phones – and to see what nature has to offer. Eighteen days with no distractions, just the chance to experience nature in all of its glory. Campers may bring i-pods (i-pod touch excluded) for the car rides to plug into the van’s speaker system. This gives each camper a chance to share his or her taste in music (for better or for worse!) with the rest of the group – and can be a fun bonding moment for the campers. Digital cameras are permitted, but camera phones are not. Adamah Adventures is not responsible for damage or loss of any electronic device.

Q. Is there a place to shower/wash clothes?
A. There are showers available at many of the campsites where we will be staying. While campers may not have the chance to shower everyday, they will rarely go longer than 2 or 3 days without a hot shower. And of course, Shabbat always includes a chance to clean up! We will stop to do laundry (either at a laundromat or at a laundry service depending on where we are) halfway through the trip, so you only need to pack clothes for about 10 days.

Q. What if my teen has a medical problem/takes medicine?
A. In most cases, this is not a problem. Our staff is trained in administering medications and can hand out daily medications to your child. If your child has a specific medical issue or physical limitation please call our office to speak with Bobbee or Adam about the demands of the trip and the most appropriate trip for your child. If your child wants to go on an Adamah Adventure, we will make every effort to make this experience possible for them.

Q. Are your trips co-ed?
A. Yes, we make every effort to have an equal number of males and females on each trek. In addition, there will always be at least one male staff and one female staff on each trek. Campers sleep in single gendered tents or dorms.

Girl & Boy