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Summer at Crane Lake Camp

From 2nd Graders to rising High School Seniors, Crane Lake Camp offers a variety of opportunities for campers and leaders-in-training. Varying session options are designed to fit into everyone’s summer. From two weeks to the full seven weeks – come meet your lifelong friends!

Campers live in bunks based on the camper’s grade in school the following September. Grade-based units group together children who are on a similar level socially, physically, and developmentally to optimize everyone’s experience. Our bunks travel together throughout the day from activity to activity and participate together in everything that camp offers.

This style of programming gives everyone the chance to do things they love, and try new activities that they have never had the chance to explore. They support their bunkmates in their passions, creating an even stronger community. Campers have the opportunity to select a chug (elective) each week, exploring different areas of interest, building skills and honing their talents in an area they are passionate about. Our chugim are taught by trained counselors and sports coaches. As campers get older, the schedule allows for more intensives and choice.

Hebrew Unit NameEnglish TranslationEntering Grades
K'TANIM (2 weeks)"Little Ones"2nd to 4th
NITZANIM"Seedlings"4th and 5th
BONIM"Builders"6th and 7th
CHAVERIM"Friends"8th and 9th
OLIM"Those who go up"10th
CRANE LAKE IN ISRAEL11th
Junior Counselor Fellowship12th

K’tanim is an introductory program perfect for our youngest campers, most of who will be away from home for the first time. Special attention is paid to teaching our K’tanim campers how to explore camp and enjoy all that camp has to offer. Our “little ones” form wonderful friendships and have a great time during what we hope will be the first of many summers at Crane Lake Camp.

Our K’tanim program is two weeks long. This introductory program is perfect for our youngest campers, most of who will be away from home for the first time. Special attention is paid to teaching our K’tanim campers how to get around camp and enjoy all that camp has to offer. Our “little ones” form wonderful friendships and have a great time during what we hope will be the first of many summers at Crane Lake. If K’tanim campers love camp, there is the opportunity for them to extend for the full session.

Olim, the 10th grade summer is the pinnacle of the camper experience. As the oldest unit, Olim campers have many privileges and experiences befitting their age. Olim campers are given the opportunity to take on real leadership roles throughout camp by participating in our big brother/big sister program with our youngest campers.  The summer culminates with the opportunity to help lead the camp in Maccabiah (color war).

Crane Lake in Israel is an epic 4-week journey through Israel with your lifelong camp friends. Float in the Dead Sea, climb Masada and experience Shabbat in Jerusalem. The NFTY Adventure program is a unique and challenging summer experience created especially for teens who seek a meaningful and exciting journey filled with amazing memories.

Junior Counselor Fellowship offers rising seniors the experience of Crane Lake Camp’s Leader-In-Training program. Our Junior Counselor Fellowship is a hands-on Counselor-In-Training program. Our Junior Counselors move into bunks right away for on-the-job training and mentorship from our experienced counselors and leadership team members, while experiencing ongoing training throughout the summer. Enrollment is limited and requires an application, interview, and letters of recommendation. Staff Applications are available in the Fall.