]
2026-2027 Schedule
Sunday, August 23, 2026
1 – 5 pm
This class should not be missed. If you cannot make it, you will be required to make up the orientation in a private 1-2 hour session with Rabbi Alan for a fee of $240/hr before you can continue with the course.
What: Orientation for students and their parents
Topic: An introduction to the program and each other
Where: Local camp 30-45 minutes from Boulder
This day is a fun opportunity to get to know each other in a beautiful setting. Our day begins with a hike for parents and lake kayaking for the students.
During the final 1.5 hours of our day, we will go through the logistics of the course. You need a laptop or smartphone to access Google Docs and our website, and a pen.
Packing List
No dogs, please!
Students, please wear a bathing suit under your clothing
Towel
Change of clothes|
Water shoes (optional but suggested)
Bug spray (I’m not bothered by bugs there but some people are)
Water
Snacks
If you ever use an inhaler for breathing issues, please bring a rescue inhaler if you own one
Epi-pen if you have been prescribed one
Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
Pen for taking notes
Laptop or smartphone to access Google Docs and our website
Be prepared for the weather! It can be 10 degrees color up there. (A rain jacket is always good to have just in case)
12:45 Arrive, use the bathroom, and meet in Big Hall
1:00-1:10 Welcome with Rabbi Alan
1:10-2:45
- Name games camp staff
- kayaking
- Adults will hike .5 miles to Thunder Ridge for an hour’s discussion with Rabbi Alan.
2:45-5 Full Group Meeting in the Big Hall. Orientation to the logistics of the class. Receive your class binder and review Google Docs.
5:00 Head home!
August 28, 2026 (Friday) 6 pm – 8:30ish pm
What: Friday night Shabbat services and picnic on Flagstaff for students and their families. You are welcome and encouraged to bring other family members but still, sadly, no dogs.
Topic: An introduction to Shabbat with our congregation
Where: Sunrise Amphitheater 1198 Flagstaff Dr, Boulder, CO 80302
Pack: Picnic dinner, tablecloth, and appropriate clothing for the weather. It’s cooler up there than in town.
Rain: In case of inclement weather, we meet under the Jaycee Shelter, uphill from the parking lot for the Sunrise Amphitheater.
Details: Students will join our congregation for our Friday night service on Flagstaff. Students will be introduced to and blessed by the congregation. Entry fees for the student and one adult are included in your tuition. Your names will be on the guest list at the door.
We encourage you to bring other friends or family. The entrance fee is $15/ person. For details about and payment for this event please visit here>>
August 30, 2026 (Sunday) 7:45 a.m. – approx. 5 or 6 p.m.
We highly recommend not missing this class. Group friendships take shape on this hike.
What: Climb 10,013′ Deer Mountain
Topic:
1. Being Part of a Group: Challenges, Rewards, and Responsibilities.
2. Introduction to Outdoor Judaism (topic continues throughout course)
3. Becoming a Bar, Bat or B”Mitzvah, What Does It Mean?
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Details:
Adventure Class Parents will be helping carpool to Rocky Mountain National Park. Pick-up will be at Lucky’s Market in North Boulder
• 7:45 Meet at Lucky’s Market 3960 Broadway St. Boulder, CO 80304-1104
• 8:00 Cars leave from Lucky Market (If you miss us, please meet us in RMNP!)
We will need 3-4 drivers who are strong hikers, to drive and join us for this hike. Please let Rabbi Alan know.
Return: We will be down from our hike around 3:30 pm and will be home between 5 and 6 pm. We will pass around a cell phone for students to call you when we get back into cell range in Lyons, about 15 minutes before we reach North Boulder. Pick up your kids at Lucky’s in North Boulder. Every peak climb offers unique circumstances so timing is approximate.
Packing List
– backpack
– camelback or another bladder you can put in your backpack so you don’t have to stop hiking to drink, filled with 2 liters of water
– lunch
– hiking snacks (you might also want to pack a separate snack and drink for the ride home)
– good hiking boots/shoes
– change of shoes for the ride home (optional)
– sun hat & sunglasses
– sunscreen
– if you ever use an inhaler for breathing issues or have an epi-pen please bring them
– (optional) camera
– (optional) flower/tree/bird guides
– whistle (emergency)
-$10 Sometimes we can stop for pie and a cold drink on the way home
Hopefully, these will stay unused in your pack but they are important to have in an emergency:
– warm hat and gloves
– fleece sweatshirt
– rain pants
– rain jacket
– small flashlight
Wear this:
-hiking shoes
-non-cotton socks (I prefer to wear a liner sock beneath my hiking socks. The combination prevents blisters because the socks rub against each other rather than your skin. The friction is what causes a blister.)
-shorts
-T-shirt (Hikers often wear non-cotton shirts and even ones with SPF sun protection if you burn easily)
Please leave behind:
– All electronics other than a camera
– Bar and Bat Mitzvah students can bring a cell phone, but can only use it to call home when we are heading home. They may not text or use it as a camera.
A camp 30-min from South Boulder
September 11-12, 2026 (Friday 4 pm – Saturday 12 noon)
This year’s Rosh Hashanah retreat takes us back to a favorite venue of our community, that offers great hiking, a beautiful lake, great group gathering spaces, and outdoor camping.
There are lodge rooms but they tend to sell out quickly! When an email goes out saying they are available, act if you want one. Vans and RVS are also allowed.
This is not a drop-off event. Parents, please plan on joining your B”, Bat or Bar mitzvah student.
B ” Mitzvah student and 1 adult get to come at the members’ price. (The fee difference was included in your tuition.) Please register your adult and student as members. You are invited to bring other guests and pay separately for them as non-members. (Sorry, no dogs.)
September 20, 2026 (Sunday)
The class joins our congregation for Kol Nidre. Fees for bar and bat mitzvah students and 1 adult are included in tuition; simply sign up for free as members so we know how many people to expect. This is not a drop-off event. Students and one adult are required to attend and the rest of your family is invited to sign-up and come. Students should dress nicely and bring a coat if needed to go outside. Doors open at 6:30.
For details of this event and to RSVP please visit>>
Yom Kippur Hike Optional (w/ parents) 5:30-6:30 September 21, 2026
Your family is invited to join our congregation for a hike and break-the-fast from 5:30-6:30 pm, to close our Yom Kippur. This is not a required class but it is a lovely way to end the High Holy days. Students, members, and one parent attend for free. All others are $25. Register here>>
Come experience Yom Kippur Adventure Judaism style. We will take a casual, stroll with time to contemplate where our paths have taken us this year. The stroll will include:
- Hear shofar blast
- Chant a few of the major prayers
- Poignant readings
- Silent contemplation
- Kaddish and chance to remember loved ones who have died
- Prayers for the year to come
- Havdallah
- An ebullient breaking of the fast
Please bring fruit, drink, baked goods, or something to share. This is not a meal, just a simple nosh to tide us over and celebrate the end of an exultant day.
October 4, 2026 (Sunday) 10-12:30
Change a Tire, Jump-start a Car, Write an Email, and oh, What is God?
What: Indoor and Outdoor Workshop
Topic: Theology and Life Skill Workshop
This week we discuss God concepts and then learn to change a tire, jump-start a car, write a polite email, craft a thank-you note, and create holy relationships.
1) Holiness. Finding God in relationships. What does it mean to be holy? Blogging, Lying, Gossip, Friendship, Kiddish, Kaddish, Holy time, Havdallah.
2) Can God help you fix a flat tire? Can prayer? Taking responsibility for yourself in life.
Where: In the back parking lot of the NEW Adventure Rabbi Headquarters, 2919 West 17th Ave. Longmont CO, 80503
November 6, 2026 (Friday) 6-8:30 p.m.
What: Indoor Workshop
Topic: Iron Chef Shabbat/ Shabbat Showdown: Make a Matzah Ball, Bake a Challah
Where: We need a host family, preferably with a 5-burner stove and two ovens. Rabbi Alan will need to arrive at 4 pm to prepare the space.
Adults: We need two adult helpers to watch the stove and help clean
Details: Small teams compete to make matzah balls and challah and are judged by discriminating judges on creativity, presentation, teamwork, and of course taste. Based on the Cooking Channel’s Doughnut Showdown. Please feed your students before class. There will not be a full dinner.
December 6, 2026 (Sunday) 4:15 – 6:00 p.m.
What: Chanukah Celebration with Discussion for students, siblings, and parents with Adventure Rabbi Kids (our alternative religious school)
Topic: Chanukah: What is the holiday truly about?
Where: Bear Creek Elementary School
Bring: Chanukiah (menorah) candles, matches, outdoor clothes
January 10, 2027 (Sunday) 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
What: Service Planning Session for students and parents. This is directly after our Joining the Purim Carnival with ARK.
Topic: We will walk through the entire Bar or Bat Mitzvah Service to explain the flow of the service, how to assign parts, set up the room, and prepare for the ceremony.
Where: Bear Creek Elementary School
Bring: Student’s Binder and pens
February 20, 2027 (Friday) 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
What: Moonlit Hike
Topic: Cycles of life and nature along with moon celebrations in Judaism.
Pack: Dress warmly and if it’s slick out, put spikes on your hiking boots! Bring water, a snack, and a flashlight, although we try not to use them.
Where: Ranger’s Cottage, Chautauqua Park, Boulder, CO. We will hike for 2.5 miles with 440 feet of elevation gain.
March 7, 2027 (Sunday) 1:15 – 4:00 p.m.
What: Class Helps Run the ARK Purim Carnival
Topic: Giving Back to the Community as Leaders
Our class helps the Adventure Rabbi Kids staff lead our religious school Purim carnival. We will run the different games and contests being offered, and help with set up and clean up. Come in costume! If you have younger siblings, they are welcome to join us from 2-3:30, if an adult comes with them.
Where: See Bloomz for location.
April 23-25, 2027
We understand that many people can’t take off work/school for our seder so if you know you can’t come, save this for one of your two allowed absences. It really is the coolest Seder on the planet and most of the kids come so do try to make it work if you can! We don’t want your family to miss out. Bar or Bat Mitzvah student and 1 adult come for the member’s rate but must still register. Your family are friends are also welcome! Read more and register participants here>>
May 2, 2027 (Sunday) 1-3:30 pm
What: Hike in Boulder
Topic: Bringing it all together. What have we learned? Who have we become? Where to from here?
Where: Shanahan Ridge Boulder, CO, corner of Lehigh St and Lafayette Dr, Boulder CO 80305
Note: It’s traditional for the class to go to Sweet Cow after class.
It’s traditional for the class to go for ice cream at South Boulder Sweet Cow (669 S. BROADWAY, BOULDER, CO 80305) following the hike. Parents will pick up their kids at 3:30 and then drive there. The ice cream social is not included in the time 1-3:30 time.
- Schedule two, 1-hour Zoom sessions with Rabbi Alan and your student to write speeches.
- Schedule one, 1-hour session in person with parents and Rabbi Alan to plan your service.
- Schedule one, 1.5-hour session to rehearse the service
- Sign up for the teen program to continue the relationships and fun!
- Become a member of our congregation and support the unique work we do.
