Program Overview
At a Glance
Duration: July 15th - 29th | 2 Weeks
Week 1 Highlights:
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Arrival & orientation
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Introductory hikes
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Israel Night
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Camping
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Shabbat
Week 2 Highlights:
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Sports Day
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Challenging hikes
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Camping
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Israel Day
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“Explore” – Navigation
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Touring local city
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Shabbat
Join us this summer on Sayarim for an unforgettable two weeks in the heart of the European Alps!
Experience the adventure of a lifetime with Jewish teens from Europe, USA, Canada, and Israel. Hike and camp amidst breathtaking scenery, sing, dance, and celebrate your Jewish identity, Israel, and Bnei Akiva.
You’ll have the time of your life on Sayarim as you challenge yourself, connect with nature, and create unforgettable memories. With over 100 Jewish 15-16yr olds, you’ll forge lifelong friendships as you hike through epic landscapes and pitch tents under the starry sky. You’ll also compete in sports and navigation challenges, participate in team-building exercises, and engage in discussions and activities about Zionism, Judaism, and leadership.
Sayarim is located at a ski chalet nestled in a mountain valley, offering breathtaking views. You’ll savor delicious, home-cooked kosher meals prepared daily by our Israeli chefs. Shabbat on Sayarim is a highlight, where you can recharge and celebrate together with song and dance that reaches the heavens!
2 WEEKS・CO-ED・ENGLISH/ HEBREW
FOR: 15-16 YRS OLD FROM EUROPE, UK, USA, CANADA, & ISRAEL
LOCATION: ALPS
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with Sayarim, World Bnei Akiva’s classic European summer camp for Jewish teens aged 15-16!
Each summer, for 2 weeks in July, around 100 Chanichim from Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Austria and Israel, come together in the Alps for hiking, camping, adventure, sports, and to celebrate their joint connection to Judaism, Israel, and Bnei Akiva.
Dive into thrilling experiences, forge deeper connections to Judaism and Israel, and make lifelong friends from across the globe!
Get ready for two unforgettable weeks packed with action, exploration, personal growth and a lot of fun!
Program Components
Sports & Activities
Sports Day at Sayarim is a full day dedicated to friendly competition in a variety of sports, where you and your friends from around the world can bond. Whether you're into soccer, volleyball, basketball, frisbee, or participating in exciting races, this fun-filled day offers a chance to get some exercise, show your team spirit, and enjoy the fresh alpine air.
Hiking
Lace up your boots and prepare for adventure! Hikes are the heart of Sayarim, challenging enough to push your limits, but remember, you’re in this together with all your new friends, and you’ll have a blast! The Alps await with magnificent summits and lush valleys, boasting the greenest grass and bluest skies imaginable. Get ready to experience hiking like never before!
Camping
Leave the Chalet behind, for the million-star hotel! Under the backdrop of magnificent mountain peaks, you'll build your tent with your friends, roast marshmallows by the campfire, and share stories and songs under a blanket of stars. There is nothing like camping to really connect with nature, forge new friendships, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Judaism, Identity & Zionism
Sayarim isn't just about adventure, it's a place to celebrate being Jewish with other young Jews from around the world! In a safe and welcoming environment, you'll delve into your Jewish identity through engaging discussions and activities. Discover the unique customs and traditions of your new friends as you share your own. Through activities about Israel, Zionism, and Bnei Akiva's role in your Jewish journey, Sayarim fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for your heritage.
Sayarim’s two-day Alpine “Explore” is the highlight of the camp. After a crash course in navigation and orienteering from your expert guides – ex-soldiers of the IDF – you’ll put your newfound skills to the test as you team up with friends to plan your own route. With maps and compasses in hand, embark on an exciting adventure through the Alps, racing to reach the designated markers first, and complete the given challenges. After a night camping together with the other teams, laughing over the day's adventures, the race continues the next morning. Teamwork, strategy, and competition make this a truly unforgettable experience!
Alpine "Explore"
Safety & Security
On Sayarim, the safety and wellbeing of our participants is our top priority.Our staff are experienced in supporting this age group with warmth, attentiveness, and professionalism. Throughout the program, participants are accompanied by dedicated madrichim and a full logistics team. We work closely with trusted local partners in the Alps and relevant security bodies in Israel to establish and uphold strict safety protocols for all hikes, site visits, and activities. Experienced navigators plan all hikes in advance, and the group is accompanied at all times by a licensed medic. With a high staff-to-participant ratio, parents can rest assured that their teens are in capable and caring hands — securely, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Part of the
Bnei Akiva Journey:
Whether you’ve been dreaming of Sayarim as the next step in your Bnei Akiva journey, or this is your first taste of the largest religious Zionist youth movement in the world, you’ll feel welcome on Sayarim! Sayarim is the culmination of local camps, activities, and all the fun, friends, and Jewish content that Bnei Akiva offers. Now is your chance to take your connection to Bnei Akiva to the next level, create lasting memories while hiking breathtaking landscapes, pushing your limits, and forging lifelong friendships with peers from across Europe.
Friends from Around the World:
Ever imagined you’d had have a whole bunch of close friends of around the world? Sayarim breaks global borders in connecting Jewish teens from Europe, Israel, and beyong who share a love of Judaism, Israel, and Bnei Akiva. Language barriers fade away as the hiking and camping unite all as one, and cultural differences are embraced and celebrated. There is a special, unique connection you’ll build high up in the alps on Sayarim, forging deep friendships that last a lifetime.
Meet The Team
AVICHAI MEYER
Camp Director
LIORA VILNER
Rosh Desk Europe
HOW TO APPLY
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Fill out the Online Application Form: European applicants start by completing our online application form. Simply click the red "Apply Now" button below and fill in your details
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Interviews: After submitting your application, a member of our team will reach out to schedule an interview
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Acceptance: Shortly after the interview, you’ll be informed of the status of your application. Your place will be confirmed only after a payment plan has been agreed
How much does Sayarim cost?
The price for Camp Sayarim is 1,600€ (not including flights). There are limited needs based scholarships available.
Please let us know if this is something you are interested in.
Don't Miss Out! Apply Now! Experience the beauty of the Alps and the enriching community of Bnei Akiva.
Apply today and take the first step towards an incredible adventure with Sayarim
Natan, Switzerland
Hi my name is Natan and I was on the Machane Sayarim 2 years ago with Bne Akiva Switzerland. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I met many new people from all over Europe who I am really close with even two years later. I learned so many new things about Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael and myself on the programs. My highlights are for sure the two Shabbatot. It‘s a magical atmosphere which is really hard to explain. You‘ll sing, dance and get to know new people in a totally new way. Obviously the hikes and nights outside are also fun. I‘ll never forget the Kumsitz we had outside in the mountains at midnight!!
Racheli, Israel
Sayarim is a once in a lifetime camp. It gave me the opportunity to make new friends from Israel and abroad. I learned about the Jewish diaspora through people my age and could talk to them at an eye to eye level about life as a Jews outside of Israel. And through this I was also able to understand my Judaism more. I am really happy that I was able to be a part of this journey and camp.
Yehonatan, Israel
Sayarim was a once in a lifetime experience. Thanks to Sayarim I made a lot of new friends from Israel and abroad and thanks to them I learned more about the Jewish diaspora. We experienced truly unforgettable moments together. One of the best experiences was that we slept in the field under the sky with a million stars, we sang songs around the fire, I felt like I was part of something big, meaningful, special and a family. Sayarim changed things for the better in me, and I am so glad I was a part of it. I highly recommend it.