Pictures & Testimonials

Pictures & Videos

Click here to see pictures of all the fun that goes on at Camp Raanana!

Click here to watch a video about Camp Raanana's great activities!

Parent Testimonials

"Camp Raanana truly exceeded our expectations.  I knew when Deborah [the camp director] handled my initial concerns so professionally that I would be putting my daughter in good hands, but to see that follow through to all the staff we dealt with is quite impressive!  Our daughter really blossomed this summer and it all happened so quickly...the independence, the maturity, the connection, all thanks to the camp director and staff.  She already misses camp and cannot wait to return next summer!  Through the positive leadership of the delightful young women who were her counselors, she has decided at the tender age of almost 7 that she wants to be a counselor one day!  I love to see her so confident and happy, to hear her singing camp songs and telling anyone who will listen all about her Camp Raanana experiences.  Thank you again and again for so far one of the best 5 week investments we've ever made. - Jodi (and Bob) Reel

"Camp (as the kids put it) was AWESOME.  I knew that the kids would have a great experience, learn things about the outdoors, Judaism and themselves, and would come home dirty, tired, and happy - just the way the summer should be!  We really appreciate having swimming lessons incorporated into camp, rather than as an extra with an additional cost.  The other wonderful thing about the camp was how many of the counselors and staff were from our own Jewish community and had been to the camp themselves. During Shabbat at the Lake the last night, it was really heartwarming to look around and see what a wonderful Jewish community we live in and how all the families and kids interacted." - Dan and Hilary Green, summer 2009

"Our daughters really enjoyed camp this summer.  They LOVED the field trips and they both sing camp songs all day long and tell stories about all the fun activities.  They had wonderful counselors who got to know them each as individuals. It was a really big deal for our younger daughter to get on that bus everyday and go to the lake. She really grew and gained a lot of self confidence and felt really proud of herself for being so grown up.  Our oldest daughter enjoyed being one of the older kids and getting to do special activities. She feels very comfortable with camp as she's now been there for four years.  I enjoy going to Shabbat each week and look forward to Shabbat at the Lake every year as a summer tradition.  The camp site is a beautiful location and it makes me feel good to see the kids having such a wonderful time. Thanks for a great summer!" - Sonya Lewis, summer 2009

"Of all the camps my daughter attended this summer - and that includes sports camp, boating on a tall ship at the Ocean Institute of Dana Point on the Pacific Ocean, and even learning about and taking care of sea lions and seals at Laguna Beach's mammal hospital - Camp Ranaana was still her favorite camp!" - Sakina Zerrel, summer 2009

"I loved that my kids got to do fun, traditional 'camp' things, like canoeing and swimming in a lake. And the Shabbat celebrations and Jewish songs were a big plus!" - Julie Roberts, summer 2009

"As a parent, I appreciate being able to send my daughter to a fun, safe place where she can play and grow over the summer.  The staff is great!  I really love how they interact with the kids and get to know them.  And I just love the whole outdoor experience at Independence Lake.  I think the private beach is great and I also love that other facilities like the big play structure and the Spray Zone are all within walking distance." - Kit Morgeson, summer 2009

"My son loved the specialty offerings at camp this year. He came home chatting and excited about science, sports, and photography." - Laura Hirshbein, summer 2009

"I was very happy with Camp Raanana.  My daughter had a lot of fun and the field trips really offered a change to the weekly schedule that I think was important.  I think day camp is a great way to get the Adom group ready for kindergarten by putting them in a 'new' situation, while keeping them comfortable because they still know many of the kids in their group. Thanks so much for giving my daughter a fantastic summer!" - Laurie Adams, summer 2009

"My son loved swimming and the creative art projects like the nylon sack with grass seeds and a painted face - the grass is thriving!  He's always been musical, and he came home with a bunch of new songs to perform for us.  Solly's counselors were really great.  I also really appreciated the weekly e-mails and pictures." - Lisa Bernstein, summer 2009

"My son went on one of the overnights this summer and talked about it for days. What a great experience!" - Pamela Ramseyer, summer 2009

"Camp Raanana provided a natural transition between the ECC and Kindergarten helping our kids get comfortable taking a school bus to a great outdoor camp experience while continuing to build upon strong friendships built in pre-school.  They still enjoy going back each summer to see old friends and make new ones." - Jeff and Rena Basch, summer 2008

"Our kids loved swimming every day, the activities with the Israeli Scouts, and the counselors.  We loved that our children spent time outside at a wonderful park and that they really enjoyed camp.  Our younger child's transition from the ECC to Camp Raanana was challenging but the whole staff was supportive and caring.  It was really helpful that he knew many of the staff and the other kids already." - Anna Gilbert and Martin Strauss, summer 2008

"When I asked my daughter what she likes about Camp Raanana, she said, 'Camp Raanana is awesome!  I love that we swim every day, I love the singing, I love Shabbat at the Lake, but most of all, I love being with my friends and counselors.  Each summer it's like coming home again.'" - Julie Gales, summer 2008

"I just can't imagine what our children's camping life would have been without Camp Raanana.  At Camp Raanana they learned to love the outdoors, to appreciate new experiences, and to trust their abilities.  Kim Braun taught them not only how to swim, but also how to enjoy all that a lake waterfront has to offer!  We just love how full of life our children are after their time at Camp Raanana - they come home still singing camp songs, and with a healthy looking glow.  They have developed wonderful relationships with their counselors over the years, and they love seeing them throughout the school year at synagogue and around the community." - Laura Hirshbein, summer 2008

Quotes from Parent Surveys:

"I loved that my son learned so many new things - swimming with his head in the water, making new friends, meeting new adults from all over, learning new songs.  Also, the most valuable thing to us was the Jewish education, songs, and rituals. We adore seeing our son learn the Jewish traditions that we learned as children at camp. Yay, Raanana!"

"My kids love Camp Raanana and look forward to many more summers!"

"My son had a wonderful time. He had so many great experiences that we didn't expect on the field trips. I was always amazed at the wonderful things he told me about the counselors and the fun he had at camp."

"I appreciate that you offer swim lessons at camp.  That is very important.  My camper really enjoys free swim time, too."

"My son loved all the field trips.  He came home very happy that he had tried so many new things."

"My daughter loved the camp and it was a great transition from the ECC to kindergarten for her. We will definitely plan on doing many weeks again next year."

'The weekly emails and pictures were very helpful, and the counselors were very friendly."

"I really enjoyed the results of the swim lessons and hearing my son's excitement about all of the activities. He enjoyed himself and learned a lot."

"What I most enjoyed was that I could trust that my son was having fun, learning new things and in good hands. Thanks for making his experience a great one!"

"I appreciate that there are both male and female counselors, as well as at least one counselor of color."

"Everyone is so enthusiastic at Camp Ranaana; we loved it!  I most enjoyed the enthusiasm that was fostered for being a Jew - my kids were so excited for religious school to start this fall!"

"I loved my kids counselors and I've always especially liked that Camp Raanana is such a well-rounded camp, with a variety of different outdoorsy activities."

"My son significantly improved with his swimming as a result of going to camp and has been singing all the camp songs at home. Our family especially loved the Shabbat at the Lake!"

"I had a difficult personal situation arise with my child and Deborah [the camp director] was extremely helpful and made sure my child was safe at camp.  She was also generally helpful and understanding."

"I appreciated that my child had fun, that he learned how to swim, and that he enjoyed meeting new Jewish friends."

"The small group sizes and ratio of staff to campers at Camp Raanana was great, as was the strong feeling of community and professionalism."

"The specialty camps are a wonderful idea and make the camp experience even more enjoyable for the kids. The overnight camping outings are also a great introduction to outdoor camping!"

"My daughter loves the Pioneers Program, especially the field trips!"

"My daughter had a really good time doing quality and fun activities with excellent supervision."

Questions?  Click here to visit our FAQs page or contact Deborah Huerta at deborahhuerta@jccfed.org or (734) 971-0990.