Articles

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting adventure, Forest Home Ojai Valley offers it all. Our tranquil environment is the perfect place to get away from it all and reconnect with family, friends, and faith. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets and starry skies as you explore the secluded grounds of our beautiful Ventura County camp. Relax in the cozy setting of warm days and cool nights with afternoon sea breezes, all nestled against rolling hills filled with rustic oak trees.

At Camp Ramah, campers learn more than just swimming and archery. They learn about Jewish life and how to be a part of it, gaining skills for a life committed to God, Torah, the Jewish people, and tikkun olam. Through activities like prayer services, Shabbat dinners, and classes in Jewish culture, campers become more connected to their faith and identity as Jews. Camp Ramah in California creates close-knit communities that nurture the development of Jewish identity and experiences, providing an environment where campers and staff can learn and grow together. With the support of the National Ramah Commission, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University, and other institutions of the Conservative movement, Camp Ramah helps to ensure that Jewish traditions live on for future generations.

At Ojai Valley School, we strive to ensure our students have an atmosphere that allows for learning and growth, and this is central to our philosophy – Integer Vitae. This Latin phrase speaks to wholeness, symmetry, and soundness of life, and conveys a sense of poise and strength. We believe that these values should be nurtured in our students, and our staff is dedicated to providing them with the environment to do just that. To achieve this, we provide our students with the benefits of our diverse educational community, as well as the natural beauty of Ojai. With a professional staff, we are confident that our students will be able to develop their character in a warm family environment. We are committed to helping our students reach their full potential in an atmosphere of safety and security.

At Play-Well TEKnologies, we believe in the power of childhood creativity. We provide an environment that allows children to explore and express their STEM talents without the fear of making mistakes. Our passionate and knowledgeable instructors create activities that use LEGO® pieces to inspire children to create and explore in innovative ways. With an abundance of LEGO® pieces, the possibilities for imaginative play are endless! At Play-Well TEKnologies, our goal is to foster the creativity inherent in children. We create an atmosphere that encourages children to discover their STEM abilities through play without the fear of failure. Our team of enthusiastic instructors use LEGO® pieces to create activities that stimulate children's imaginations and inspire them to create in inventive ways. With LEGO® pieces, children have the potential to explore and express their creativity in infinite ways!

At Camp Ramah in California, campers and staff come together to form a unique religious learning community. With activities that center around God, Torah, the Jewish people, and Tikkun Olam, campers get an opportunity to explore and build their Jewish identity. The skills and experiences they gain from camp can be taken back home, to synagogue, and to the classroom, providing an important foundation for a life committed to Judaism. Camp Ramah’s educational program encourages campers to bring their home, synagogue, and school experiences to the camp environment. Through activities that focus on God, Torah, the Jewish people, and Tikkun Olam, campers of all ages are able to deepen their understanding of their Jewish identity and values. The community created at Camp Ramah supports campers and staff alike to build the skills they need for a life committed to Judaism, and to live out the core values of the faith. Camp Ramah in California provides a meaningful and engaging way for campers to explore their religious identity. From the activities that focus on God, Torah, the Jewish people, and Tikkun Olam, to the communal atmosphere of the camp, campers are able to learn and grow in ways that extend beyond the home, synagogue, and school. Camp Ramah’s religious educational communities help to foster a life of commitment to God and Judaism, providing campers with the skills they need to live out their values.

Parents everywhere know that the best education for their children is learner-centered education. Rock Tree Sky is a great example of this in action. Founded by parents Natasha Efross and Jim Bailey, a loving couple and professional educators, Rock Tree Sky is a leader in learner-centered education. What started out as a homeschool support and enrichment group in a 600 square foot commercial makerspace and the couple's backyard has now grown to serve over 200 learners a week on the campus of the former Summit Elementary School. Rock Tree Sky gives pre-K through 12th grade learners the opportunity to explore their curiosity and creativity as they navigate their own educational journey. It is a living, breathing example of the evolution of learner-centered education, providing children with the opportunity to take control of their own learning and educational development. Parents everywhere can take comfort in the fact that Rock Tree Sky is a leader in providing the best education for their children.

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is deeply connected to the history of Happy Valley. Annie Besant, an advocate for progressive causes such as female suffrage and Indian independence, first visited the area and believed it could be a place of renewal and a new world. Her idea was a significant contributor to Ojai's development in the 20th century as a spiritual center and art community. Beatrice Wood's arrival in 1947 was a major part of this growth. She had a historic role in the New York DADA movement alongside Marcel Duchamp and her later involvement in ceramics made her an important figure in art history. The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is inextricably linked to the story of Happy Valley. Annie Besant, a passionate supporter of progressive movements, had a vision for the area that it could lead to a new world full of renewal. Her idea played a great role in Ojai's transformation in the 20th century into a renowned spiritual center and art community. Beatrice Wood's move to Ojai in 1947 was a crucial moment in this development. Her involvement in the New York DADA movement with Marcel Duchamp and her later work in ceramics cemented her place in art history.