Camp Raanana offers rich experiences and skill building every day of the summer (excluding July 4th – Independence Day and weekends, of course)! Camp Raanana is a great place for campers of all backgrounds and religions. We explore aspects of Jewish life that we weave through the daily camp experience by celebrating Jewish themes in music, games, art, and our core camp values. We believe these core values improve everyone’s life. For more on our core values, visit About Camp.

Camp Raanana Activities at Cedar Lake

Camp Raanana runs most weeks at the Michigan United Conservation Club (MUCC) Chelsea, Michigan campsite, the Cedar Lake Nature Center. During the drive from the Ann Arbor JCC to Cedar Lake, about a 30 minute drive, we will be singing songs and getting excited for the camp day.  When the bus arrives campers break into their groups and participate in a wide variety of activities including:

  • Canoeing (2nd and up)
  • Kayaking (3rd grade and up)
  • Swim lessons (informed by Red Cross Swim program)
  • Fishing
  • Archery
  • Field Sports (ex:  Soccer, Kickball, Volleyball)
  • Gaga
  • Omanut (Arts and Crafts)
  • Nature hikes
  • Music and rhythm
  • Dance
  • Drama/Improv
  • Lunch
  • Daily snack time (healthy, both nut & meat-free)
  • Chugim (Electives)
  • And more!

*In the event of severe rain or inclement weather, camp will take place at the Ann Arbor JCC. Camp will not be cancelled.

Camp Raanana Activities @ the J

Camp Raanana will offer a session or two at the J each summer, when Cedar Lake can no longer host our program.  We offer many of the same activities at the J that we do at Cedar Lake, some with a bit of a twist, and a few we cannot offer at Cedar Lake, including:

    • Swimming at the Georgetown Country Club
    • Field Sports (as listed above)
    • Gymnasium Sports
    • Gaga
    • Arts and crafts
    • Dance
    • Drama/Improv
    • Music
    • Chugim (electives)
    • Lunch
    • Daily snacktime (healthy, both nut and meat-free)
    • And more!

Overnights

CAMP RAANANA 2024 OVERNIGHT INFO COMING SOON!

 

 

 

 

Theme Days & Silly Fun

Sometimes we get a little silly at Camp Raanana and have a lot of fun! Each week we provide a day where Campers, CIT’s, and staff can be silly, dress in costumes, or participate in special themed activities. Sometimes we play with water and sometimes we simply get messy! During the summer, theme days will be posted on the calendar and communicated via emails to campers’ families.

 

 

Friday & Shabbat

Fridays at Camp Raanana we switch it up! Instead of our usual routine, we have more free swim, a kosher hot dog lunch, and our very special Shabbat at the J, an all-camp celebration in the activity field behind the JCC. This is a special way finish out each week. Families are always invited to attend.

Shabbat at the Lake

Each Friday beginning around 3:00 PM we share skits, songs, Shabbat blessings, snacks, and of course, Challah and Grape Juice (usually in juice box form).

Families are are invited to join us. When you arrive, a staff member will direct you to the amphitheater. You may choose to sit with your camper or you may prefer to sit with other parents as we welcome the Jewish Sabbath. Campers may leave with authorized family members directly after our Shabbat, but please be sure to sign out with their counselor first! We will have a normal checkout time following Shabbat.

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