Hashgacha & Security

Supervision Our staff includes camp director Yoni Berg, who has over ten years of extensive experience with youth programs and tours. The ratio of campers to staff members is 5 to 1, in order to ensure the highest level of supervision possible. Our Camp Rabbi handles our Shabbat programming and oversees the daily shiurim. Our other staff members are American-raised, experienced youth leaders, as well as outstanding role models who share our belief in Torah and Mitzvot. There is an Av and Eim Bayit with the campers at all times. The Cross Israel Challenge program provides each staff member with a cell phone and walkie-talkie, logistical and emergency support from a team of logistics coordinators, and a clear safety protocol policy specific to each activity and site.

Accommodations The Cross-Israel Challenge Camp spends 4-5 days in different villas, each corresponding to the specific area in the country (i.e. Golan, Galilee, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, etc.) through which they will be touring. This allows us to spend more time on activities and less on transportation, which gives the campers the opportunity to really get to know the different areas in Israel. The villas and hotels offer clean and comfortable living conditions with air conditioning.

Kashrut There is a clear separation between the girls and boys living quarters. The camp chef and chef's helper travel with the camp at all times and prepare fresh, satisfying meals 3 times a day, every day. The meat is Glatt Kosher and the food is Badatz Yerushalayim. The fruits and vegetables are under "otzar ha’aretz" or "heter mechirah." Shmitah will also be taught and incorporated into the program. Each week has a Torah theme that relates the campers to the land in which they are currently touring. Halachic matters will be dealt with by the camp Rabbi. Our program's no-tolerance policies to certain behavior and actions are on par with school policy and disciplinary regulations. Madrichim (counselors and senior staff) are responsible for clearly communicating the security and health rules of the program, prohibiting the use of alcohol and drugs, sexual intimacy, and any other behavior viewed as destructive to oneself, the group, or the program. Participants are responsible for adhering to these rules.

Safety and Security Safety is and has always been our number one priority.
Our guides, instructors and drivers are all licensed, certified and have extensive experience in their respective fields. All of our equipment is top-of-the-line, abiding by the highest American and European safety standards. Armed security personnel will escort the campers all times. All activities are approved by and scheduled with the proper authorities

Insurance Holding our participants health and welfare as the top priority, Israel Challenge Expeditions and Tours is fully insured. Each participant is provided with comprehensive health insurance and medical support – providing easy access to English-speaking doctors. Israel Challenge is covered for professional liability, accident insurance, and third-party insurance. We fully cover all health insurance, including doctor's care, prescriptions and emergency medicine.

Emergency Protocol The Cross Israel Challenge Camp follows the strict security standards and travel approval system governed by the Israeli authorities. We do not at any time travel to areas considered a security risk. Every outdoor activity and travel program is submitted for review to the 24 hour "situation room" run by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) of which we are a member. Our constant contact and strong ties to the Jewish Agency allows us to closely monitor the security situation in the various parts of the country in which we will be traveling. We have direct contact with English speaking doctors at each of the six locations throughout the country. Helicopter evacuation is also available at the relevant sites that we will be touring, and all of our excursions are accompanied by an evacuation vehicle with the proper medical equipment accompanied by a certified paramedic.