Frequently Asked Questions
Accomadation:
What Are The Living Conditions?
Our lovely rooms at camp are your new home for the summer, that is why it is important for us you’ll be comfortable. In each room there are 3-6 beds, a closet and an air conditioner. There are private toilet and showers for every one to two rooms.
Can I Ask To Be With My Friend At The Same Room?
Absolutely! You can specify this in the “Additional Requests” section of the registration form. We only pair up friends who have requested to be together.
How Many Campers Can Share A Room?
In every room there are 3-6 camper from the same grade, both Israeli and international. Girls and boys sleep in different dorms and there’s a counselors room in every building, available for our campers in case they’ll need it. During the day, when the campers are in their workshop or in other activities, the rooms are locked.
Camp:
How Does A Typical Day At Camp Looks Like?
At BIG IDEA, we make it our top priority to maintain a professional and creative environment that allows each and every camper to fulfill their potential. Every day is special, filled with activities, an enriching program, and wonderful experiences!
Is Your Camp Segmanted By Age?
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Our camp is segmented into 3 age groups. Each unit have an independent educational program that suits the age of the campers, a unit head and counselors who are experienced in working with their specific age group. Kilobyte – Grades 5 to 7 Megabyte – Grades 8 to 9 Gigabyte – Grades 10 to 12 |
Who Are The Counselors?
All of BIG IDEA’s counselors are over 18, talented, qualified, professional, technological and academic who arrive to camp from Israel and around the world. The counselors lead the workshops during the day and guide the kids personally in their social age groups. We maintain a close ratio of one staff member for every 8 campers, so every camper could get a personal attention and a special experience.
Is The Camp Suitable For Someone Who Is “Shomer Shabbat”?
Here in BIG IDEA, we build the program so everyone, secular or religious, will feel comfortable. Counselors and campers gathered on Friday evening for a beautiful, pluralistic and unforgettable Kabbalat Shabbat service, and spend the Shabbat doing social, fun, computer free activities. Our synagogue is open for service both on Shabbat and during the week for our campers who would like to pray.
What If Our Child Is Missing Home?
We know that for some of our campers, being away from home for the first time can be a powerful and overwhelming experience. Our staff is qualified to help the through the experience and make it meaningful and empowering for them. Before camp starts we’ll send you our parents guide that includes tips that will help you and your child prepare for the summer.
Costs and Regulations Terms:
What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
For the summer camps: You may cancel with a full refund, minus a cancellation fee of only 4% of the total amount, until January 31, 2026. For more details, please read the full terms and conditions.
What If I Need To Change Sessions?
Switching sessions is easy and based on availability. All you have to do is call or email our office.
How Much Does Your Camp Cost?
Dates & Prices for this summer are available here!
Food:
Is Your Food Kosher?
Meir Shfeya’s dining room is Kosher under the supervision of the Rabbinical Association of the Regional Counsil Hof Hakarmel.
What Are The Options For Children With Food Allergies?
We are set to adjust to any food require you may have. Please contact our office and let us know about it during the registration phase.
What Meals Do You Supply?
Our dining hall offers a variety of options: meat and vegetarian dishes, sides, salads, fruits, and more. You can enjoy the dining hall experience with your counselors and friends from your group, all sitting together at the same table.
We know that sometimes three meals a day aren’t enough, so we also offer snacks twice a day, rotating between fresh fruits, cookies, snacks, and popsicles – a new surprise every day!
General:
How Do I Sign Up?
You can contact us at the office and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you with the registration and payment process.
Our contact details are:
+ 972 3 5285177
[email protected]
Where Is The Camp Located?
BIG IDEA Meir Shfeya – Located near Caesarea, about an hour drive north of Tel Aviv. An evergreen campus on Mount Carmel with the newest computer labs, sports courts, magnificent swimming pool and beautiful lawns and nature.
What Language Is Spoken At Camp?
We use 2 languages: Hebrew and English. BIG IDEA camp offers a great opportunity to make new friends from Israel and around the world.
How Long Have You Been Running Technological Camps?
BIG IDEA camp will be running this summer for the 17th time. Thousands of kids from all around the world have already joined us through the years! Come and take part of this unforgettable experience.
Do You Get To Travel And See Israel?
We offer great trips between the summer sessions, where you get to travel with your friends from camp and get to explore the beautiful and exciting sites of Israel. Whether you are coming for one session or more, we highly recommend on joining the inter-session trips.
Who Should Sign Up For Camp?
For campers in grades 5-12 from Israel and over 30 countries around the world who are looking for an amazing and transformative experience.
Safety and Communication:
Should We Send Some Pocket Money With Our Children?
No need to send pocket money! The camp has a small and sweet shop. The purpose of the shop is to allow campers to enjoy ice cream, sweet and salty snacks, healthy snacks, soft drinks, souvenirs, and more. Purchases in the shop are made using a payment app (more information will be provided to parents later).
How Can We Contact Our Child On An Urgent Matter?
Our office will send you all the relevant contact information before the summer starts. You can contact the office over the phone or by email. We will also send the office and managers emergency numbers, so you can always get a hold of us.
Is There Parents Visit Day At Camp?
We try to give our campers a unique experience and we feel that a visit day might harm that experience. Therefore we do not allow parents to visit. Parents will be able to follow their kids’ experiences through the photos and videos we publish on a regular basis. We will send you links every day.
What Are The Communication Arrangements At Camp?
A significant part of the camp experience is fostering children’s independence, and this is just one reason why campers are not allowed to have cell phones on them. Each day, during the late afternoon, campers will have free time when they can take their cell phones and contact their parents.
What Are The Medical Arrangements At Camp?
A qualified medic is on-site at the camp to provide care for any campers who need it. Before the summer, all campers will be asked to fill out a health form. If a camper takes any regular medication, the medication should be given to the medic, who will ensure it is administered at the appropriate times. We will keep parents updated on any medical treatment their child receives.
What Are The Security Arrangements?
Meir Shfeya youth village is guarded 24/7. One guard is always at the entrance gate and another tours around day and night.
Workshops:
Do Any Of The Workshops Require Extra Fee?
Only the wave surfing workshop requires additional payment.
What’s The Unplugged Workshop?
BIG IDEA is a tech camp but we also create a fun summer experience. The intensive workshops and lab time are balanced out with cool and fun down time activities like gaming tournaments, outdoor sports, talent show, pool party and more!
Do I Need To Bring Computer Equipment To Camp?
We are providing you with everything you need for your workshop- each camper gets to work on their own computer station for the session, we even have have a 3D printer!
What If The Curriculum Is Too Easy Or Too Hard Once The Workshop Starts?
BIG IDEA’s workshops are lead in a creative, fun and interactive way in small, personalized groups. Instructors are able to work closely with each student to customize the workshop curriculum to each camper’s skill and experience level. Whether you are a beginner or extremely advanced, our instructors find fun and challenging ways to develop your tech skills. If you have a particular goal or project idea, instructors will work with you and guide you.
How Many Campers In A Workshop?
The number of participants in a workshop depends on the type of workshop, the content being taught, and the number of staff members leading the workshop.
How Many Workshops Can I Choose?
Every camper will choose 3 workshops (at the summer camp) and 2 workshops (at the passover camp) he finds interesting and explore those topics through his time period at the camp. The 3 workshops go hand in hand with the unplugged activity- sports and fun out in the open. Some of our .tracks and advance workshops take longer so whoever picks it will need to pick a total of 2 workshops. It is recommended to look at our workshop page..
What Workshops Do You Offer?
Pick your passion and we will take you to the next level:
Minecraft or Video edit, marital arts or theater or even wave surfing.
You can find all the information about our workshops on our workshops page.
