Camp Ramah New England - Palmer

my favorite place in the entire world truly nothing else like it

My nephew is in Nivonim this year his 8th summer. He absolutely loves Ramah and even did their semester abroad program this past spring.Special thanks to Becky who runs the Lost Found shes awesomeThere are several new buildings including the gym and dining hall. Prices remain reasonable relative to other summer camps.Highly recommended

This is from a childs perspective I love it The food is amazing and the campers are kind as well as the staff including the kitchen staff who make wonderful things happen daily. I am so grateful that my mom and dad let me go

I do not like this camp I LOVE IT IT IS THE BEAT THING EVER THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME AND I AM SO HAPPY THAT NY PARENTS SEND ME HERE EVERY YEAR SINCE LAST YEAR IT IS SO FUN

Perhaps aged and no longer relevant but nonetheless my experience as an 18 yo In 1968 looking for a summer job the local employment office listed job openings Camp Ramah. Actually it was my friend who was inquiring for work and told me there were two positions open as Camp counselors at the camp. I asked what kind of work and he said it included monitoring sports activities tennis canoeing etc. etc. My friend also said that it was a coed camp which immediately produced images of girls This sounded like a dream job as the other options for work in this area was a mill job working with old men women as Ive done in summers for a couple years. yes back then there were thousands of jobs all the time in the local mills.OK So I told my friend that I was in and we were given a date to start work. We came to the front entrance which was gated with a guard house an ominous but unheeded warning. Once in we met with Rabbi Saul a short pleasant man with a permanent smile and positive manner. as gentiles and our juvenile naivete we really did fully understand the nature of this camp He explained that our first duty was to work in the kitchen and that subsequently we would commence work as camp counselors. So were in the back of this small kitchen pots bigger than a bathtub and Rabbi explaining our duties. Hauling copious amounts of food from a storage room large sacks of potatoes flower etc etc. Then peeling and cutting up all the vegetables breaking eggs etc etc. Many large pots cooking which made the kitchen unbearably hot. I finally opened the back door to get some ventilation but constantly hearing hurry up boys we have to serve breakfast.Ok so after a couple hours of non stop work hot sweaty we ask for a break. Rabbi tells us no not yet boys pots dishes need washed. So we wash the bathtub size pots and seemingly hundreds of dishes glasses bowls cutlery and then we ask for a break. Rabbi says oh no boys. You need to prepare for lunch. almost mid afternoon when lunch duties were completed and of course what did the Rabbi say You guess it oh no boys supper needs to be prepared. So now its evening dark and finally done with supper. Exhausted the Rabbi comes and tells us to follow him. We do and were led to a small wooded barracks like building which he tells us is our bunkhouse Bunkhouse We are to live hereThe bunkhouse was spartan at best and resembled a POW camp. There were a couple small bunk beds a small window and a solitary light bulb dangling from the ceiling. The walls were all old type barn wood and smelled like an outhouse. The Rabbi said we would be summoned pre dawn to resume kitchen duties and no mention of our camp counselor job. I looked at my friend and told him theres no way Im opening a night there he tried to convince me it would get better but I said no way We got into his car and were driving out to the exit road when another rabbi walking motioned to us to stop. We did and he told us driving a car was forbidden on the Shabbat. What did we know as we were not Jewish no less familiar with their religious customs. He told us none could leave the camp OMG just when we thought we were out of that camp we realize were prisoners No matter I told my friend to drive to the gate once there the man in the guard house said we could not leave. We told him it was an emergency but he asked who gave us permission and we replied it was Rabbi Saul. He said OK please give me the written permission slip. At this moment a car was entering the camp and the gate opened. I told my friend to go for it and were drove through before the gate closed. We both were sighing in relief. As we drove away I asked my friend about getting our days pay to which he said they could keep itOf course my experience has nothing to do with the function or quality of this camp. It is intended to add a somewhat different and hopefully humorous account of a couple young guys in pursuit of that summer dream job. The one star is only given so I enable this post

Im so glad that I found Camp Ramah in New England Ramah is the perfect place for kids and staff to have a traditional camp experience that is infused with Judaism. Ive learned so much about myself through my years on staff and Ive made some of my closest friends at camp. Its so fun to come back each summer and see my campers become leaders in camp and to watch them grow. Id recommend Camp Ramah in New England to anyone looking for a fun and meaningful summer and life experience

I went to Camp Ramah in New England from Shoafim to Nivonim 2006-2010 and there was no question about coming back on staff this past summer Now entering my second summer on staff at Palmer I know for a fact that the experiences Ive had at camp have been invaluable. Ramah gave me the confidence to be myself and gave me the skills to be the Jewish leader that Ive always wanted to be. I owe everything in my life to Ramah- my best friends my decision to go to Oberlin College and my Jewish identity- and I can never thank them enough

Camp Ramah in New England has been my home for almost thirteen summers. It has provided me with amazing friendships positive Jewish experiences and an opportunity to be a leader. I have loved my work in the Tikvah or special needs program. I HIGHLY recommend CRNE to anyone who is looking to have a summer filled with fun and meaning

I love Camp Ramah in New England I will be returning on staff this summer continuing my Ramah experience for the 15th consecutive summer. I started as a camper in 1999 and am excited to be a Rosh Edah division head this summer. Ramah helped me grow and find my identity as a young Jewish adult. From my enthusiasm for conservative Judaism that I gained at Ramah Ive held multiple leadership positions - including Koach president at the University of Maryland and a youth advisor position for USY.My closest friends are ones I made at camp both as a camper and as a staff member. Ramah has had a greater influence on my life than any other experience I have ever had and I am truly grateful for the leadership training as well as the self-confidence it has instilled in me.

Camp Ramah in New England has been a fixture in my life since I was 12 years old. Now nearly 15 years later I still choose to return to spend my summers there as a staff member. It has given me so much that the least I can do is to try to give something back. I am the person I am today because of camp- as a Jew as a friend as a citizen of the world. I cannot recommend CRNE enough to anyone and everyone of all ages and abilities. CRNE is home.