How long is a session?
In 2023, our sessions are 12 days long, each of them lasts from Sunday till Friday.
How many children are in a session? In a unit? In a room?
Every international session hosts about 400-450 children. Groups are formed according to their country/unit and the age groups. The number in each group depends on the total number in the unit/country. Children are housed in groups of 4-6-8-12.
What about the accomodation?
We have three different types of accommodation which can house between 4 and 12 children. The children are placed in houses according to the size of the unit, their gender and the preferred location of the countries/units. These are the only factors that influence the type of the housing that participants are in and we try hard to ensure everyone gets the same level of care and service.
Who supervises my child during the day?
For most of the time, campers are together with their madrichim (group leaders). Madrichim are trained in their local communities. In addition, there are experienced senior JDC staff, Unit Heads, coordinators, professional facilitators, doctors, nurses and a lifeguard, supervising the children.
What is the madrich/child ratio?
The madrich-child ratio is based on the age of the campers. The younger the camper is, the smaller his/her group will be, which means, that the madrich/child ratio is higher for the younger age groups. For example: in the Negev group (6–9 years) there are two leaders caring for 8–10 children, while in the Hermon group (16–18 years) there could be up to 20-25 campers in the same group, under the leadership of two madrichim.
Is there a doctor is the camp?
Yes. There is medical care available in the camp around the clock. We have a fully equipped doctor’s office on camp. You can write comments for the camp doctor in the registration form (comment section).
How many times do children eat per day?
We ensure that they receive four meals daily, three eaten in the dining hall as well as an afternoon snack (cake, fruit, etc.), served outside the dining hall.
My child is on a special diet. What should I do?
Please let us know by giving details in the appropriate column of the registration form so that the camp staff will know about it and so that we can be fully prepared. We also advise you to inform your local coordinator(s).
What each camper needs to bring to camp?
The ‘NOT TO PACK’ list?
Campers are advised not to bring along mobile phones or any other valuables (e.g. electronic gaming devices), because we cannot take responsibility for these! There is however a safe in the camp, where the campers can put their valuables, with their madrich’s help.
Is there a kiosk on camp? How much money should I give my child?
There is indeed a kiosk in the camp where snacks, drinks and basic toiletry items can be bought. The kiosk closes an hour before each mealtime and re-opens after the meals finishes. Camp souvenirs can be bought in the Szarvas Shop that is located next to the Dining Hall. We cannot give exact advice about how much money they should bring but, in our experience, you should probably base it on a limit of one or two snacks a day plus possibly the cost of a camp sweatshirt if wanted. We cannot take responsibility for any valuables or money that is not put into the camp safe. Campers can deposit items in the safe at any time with the help of their madrich.
How can I reach my child?
We strongly recommend that you do not give your child a cellphone to take to camp. If, however, you choose to do so, then you can reach him/her in the short free time after meals.
Can I visit my children?
Permission for a visit on any days of the camp can only be given by Camp Director. Please contact him at info (at) szarvas.camp for preliminary permission. With this approval, you may enter the campsite where you will be given a visitor’s card, which you should keep with you at all times until your departure.
Is the camp kosher and is it Shomer Shabbat?
Yes. The camp's Judaism is open and pluralistic. We accept every Jewish stream because it is important for everyone to feel at home, whatever surrounding they come from, from the most secular aspect to the most religious. To help this we only provide Glatt Kosher food and keep Shabbat in public.
We are not religious; my child doesn’t have any Jewish knowledge or background...
This does not matter at all. We have many campers from all over the world who get their basic understanding of Judaism at Szarvas and many of them also experience a Shabbat for the first time in their life at camp. One of our main goals is to teach the campers about Jewish culture and traditions so that they can start building their Jewish identity in their own way.
How a typical day looks like?
Additional activities: challenge park, cycling (for the elder age groups), swimming pool, mifgashim, project, pardes, visiting the synagogue, canoe, wall climbing, zip-line, cruise, excursions researching the past, visit to the botanic garden, exhibitions (on camp), museum (on camp), bonfire, pita baking, etc.