“
I discovered I can do things I never thought possible—like being away from my parents. I learned that when I show up as my true self, I can connect with others more deeply and quickly than I ever imagined.“
– Nofar
About Us
Jordan River Village, where Israel’s children living with serious illness and disability find joy, strength, and life-changing experiences that help them heal, grow, and build a brighter future. All programs are free of charge.
Jordan River Village (JRV) is Israel’s only overnight camp designed specifically for children facing serious health challenges, including chronic illnesses and disabilities. As a full member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, JRV provides a safe and nurturing environment that helps children thrive and achieve their full potential.
Located on 64 acres in the Lower Galilee, the facility is purpose-built to accommodate the unique needs of its participants. It features state-of-the-art medical facilities, including a trauma room, pharmacy, and full-time medical staff, ensuring the highest safety standards. The Village’s design emphasizes accessibility, with wheelchair-friendly attractions, a swimming pool with independent access, accessible playgrounds, and art workshops.
Supported by a robust network of over 1,500 volunteers and 200 medical professionals annually, JRV has served over 40,000 children since opening in 2012. Each year, the camp welcomes more than 9,000 children and 700 family members, offering all programs free of charge to ensure no child is ever turned away due to socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, or national differences.
our Former board Chair
“
As I reflect on my 13 years of service as the Board Chair of American Friends of Jordan River Village, I am profoundly grateful for the journey we’ve shared and the incredible individuals who have made this dream a reality.
But at the heart of this journey, it’s always been about the kids. Since opening in 2012, Jordan River Village has served over 40,000 children, offering them joy, hope, and a place where they can simply be kids.
”
Our Impact
The year 2024 will forever stand as a testament to the resilience and purpose of this Village. We navigated four key phases of service and resilience, each one underscoring just how vital our mission remains:
Phase
1
Responding to a Nation in Crisis
As conflict spread throughout southern, central, and northern Israel, the Village stepped forward. We hosted returned hostages and their families, provided weekend healing sessions for orphaned children, and opened a special education school for children with disabilities displaced by war. At a time when everything felt uncertain, we were a steady source of care and compassion.
Phase
2
Prioritizing Safety and Security
With the escalation of the war in the north, we turned our focus to protecting our campers and staff. We launched a successful campaign to build three new bomb shelters, and when the region was declared a red zone, we made the painful but necessary decision to close the Village temporarily. During that time, two Hezbollah rockets struck our grounds. Thankfully the Village was empty, and no one was harmed.
Phase
3
Striving for Normalcy in Challenging Times
Even in the face of ongoing threats, we committed to restoring normalcy. We operated a full summer program with minimal disruptions, while our Gap Year participants launched “Village on Wheels,” delivering programming and emotional support directly to children in hospitals, hotels, and temporary homes across the country.
Phase
4
Advancing Therapeutic Care for Vulnerable Children
Seeing the immense need for hydrotherapy due to closures of other facilities throughout the country, we began transforming our semi-Olympic pool into a Year-Round Hydrotherapy Center. This initiative will offer more than 12,000 therapy sessions annually and drastically reduce wait times for children in need. It’s a bold step forward—and one that ensures we keep growing to meet the evolving needs of the families we serve.
“
You’ve made our dreams come true and we will never forget these moments.“
– A mother of a camp participant
War Response Impact
Despite the dangers and disruptions of war, JRV mobilized swiftly to provide safety, healing, and continuity of care to Israel’s most vulnerable children and families.
Returned Hostage Healing Retreats
6 children and 42 adults participated in a restorative weekend at the Village
Displaced Children Activity Days
6 full-day programs delivered for 288 displaced children
Emergency Special Education School
Established a temporary school for 52 displaced students with special needs (ages 3–16)
Bomb Shelter Construction
3 new bomb shelters built to protect all campers and staff
Village on Wheels (Emergency Outreach)
27 volunteers delivered mobile programming to evacuated children in homes, hospitals, and hotels, served as family liaisons and support staff within hospitals
Village Campus Security
Despite being struck by two Hezbollah rockets, no injuries occurred thanks to proactive evacuation and security measures
“
I learned that I can do a lot of things, I can ask for help and feel comfortable asking for help.“
– Adi
Core Operations Impact
While responding to war, JRV maintained its commitment to year-round care, connection, and joy for children with serious illness and disability.
Immersive Weeklong Camp Sessions
children participated across 9 weeklong sessions for medically independent children
Special Education School Sessions
children with special needs, alongside teachers and aides, engaged in structured growth programs
Heroes Journey (Outdoor Leadership Experience)
teens (ages 16–17) with serious illnesses completed an empowering multi-day camping expedition
Village on Wheels: Hospital Outreach Program
children served through partnerships with five pediatric hospitals across Israel
Hydrotherapy Center Launch
Construction began to convert the pool into a Year-Round Hydrotherapy Center
annual sessions for children with disabilities and chronic illness
Through unwavering commitment and innovative programming, Jordan River Village continues to be a lifeline of joy, care, and resilience for children across Israel—no matter their circumstances.
“
The experience here gives me the energy to do this work.“
– Teacher at special school for behavioral issues
Financial Overview
2024 JRV total operating budget – $3.5M
Cost by program
Facility: $802K
School Sessions Camp: $734K
Summer Program: $640K
Family Weekends: $516K
Admin: $443K
War-Response: $260K
Village on Wheels: $82K
Heroes Journey: $23K
2024 JRV income by source – $3.3M
Individuals: $1,138K
Foundations: $1,052K
Israeli Government: $530K
Corporations: $250K
SeriousFun Network: $250K
Independent Income: $120K
Three year comparison
Income
Operating budget
What You Can DO
Give Israel’s most vulnerable children the experiences they deserve.
Get regular updates on how we change lives.
We want to hear from you.
“
“In a place like camp, a child facing challenges can finally do what every other kid does—without fear, without limits. Here, anything is possible.”
Neta (15, diagnosed with a rheumatological disease)