Jordan River Village


Jordan River Village is Israel's only free, year-round, overnight camp for children living with life-limiting conditions. The Village serving children from all sectors of Israeli society. Its goal is "to enrich the lives of Jewish and Arab children, in Israel and in the neighboring countries, suffering from serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions by creating free, fun-filled, memorable, empowering, medically sound and safe camping experiences".

History

Jordan River Village was the dream of Marilyn and Murray Grant since 2000. After more than 10 years of planning, raising funds, working with the Israeli government, and building relationships around the world Jordan River Village began operations in August 2011. The Village is part of Paul Newman's SeriousFun Children's Network, formerly the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, a global community of 30 camps and programs for seriously ill children. The Village is modeled after the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, founded in 1988 in Connecticut by Paul Newman. Newman played Ari Ben Canaan in the 1960 film Exodus, filmed in the same region of Israel as the camp is located.
The Israeli government helped establish the village, contributing up to 20% of its budget. Chaim Topol serves as chairman of the board.

Physical plant

The Village covers an area of, and includes an indoor swimming pool equipped for hydrotherapy, sports facilities, a gymnasium, a theater, an art and crafts center, a camping area, an Adventure tower, a state-of-the-art medical center, and more.
Despite the name referencing the Jordan River, the facility is located many kilometers away, near Giv'at Avni in Israel's Lower Galilee.