Airport Information

Our flight departs Tuesday June 27. For your son’s security we will be flying ELAL from JFK. The flight departs at 3:10 PM. There will be a bus leaving from the Acme Parking Lot in Deal, NJ at 10:30 AM sharp. Please arrive at 10:00 AM so we can load the buses and attend to any last minute details.

DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORTS!!!

After 4 ½ glorious weeks in our holy land we will be arriving back at JFK on July 27 at 3:10 PM. There will be a bus back to Deal, NJ to the Acme Parking Lot. The buses should be arriving between 6:00 and 6:30 PM. Contact the airline for any delays.

Luggage Information

We would like to advise you that each passenger will be allowed to check in only two pieces of luggage at the maximum weight of 50 pounds each. Each piece of luggage that exceeds 50 pounds up to 70.5 pounds will be charged (by the airline) a flat amount of $25 each way. Luggage that exceeds 70.5 pounds will be charged a minimum of $130 and up each way. A third piece of luggage up to 50 pounds will cost $130.

Buses/Transportation

Machane Yisrael trips are all on private, plush coach buses with reinforced security–grade windows. The buses will take campers to places trod by our ancestors and will have experiences worthy of lifelong memories. But most importantly, Machane Yisrael campers will not spend too much time on the bus. Our trips have been planned to center around three major locations: north, south and central Israel. The boys will be spending the night in these locations so they can awake fresh and ready for their experiences each morning with minimal bus travel necessary to get to the desired location.

Accommodations

Machane Yisrael is pleased to offer luxury accommodations to your son throughout Israel. Our places for overnight stays were selected on the basis of their cleanliness, modernity, proximity to attractions and comfort. Due to the nature of our trip, pack a light weight duffel bag for over-night excursions.

Food and Drink

At Machane Yisrael campers receive three scrumptious, nourishing meals a day and snacks. We will be providing water on all trips but we do encourage some spending money towards the purchase of additional water to keep hydrated. (Sunscreen is a must)

Spending Money

We recommend that you purchase for your son the Travelers Cheque card from American Express. This card acts like traveler’s cheques and a credit card as well, with a predetermined cash value. This can be purchased online at www.americanexpress.com . Along with this travelers card we do recommend a small amount of cash to get started.

Laundry

Due to the nature of our trip and constant traveling, we advise you to bring enough clothes for 2 weeks. We have contracted a laundry service to pick up and return laundry on the Sunday’s of July 9, July 16, and July 23. The cost for this service is 40 NIS a load (About $9).

Cell phones

Machane Yisrael has contracted with Amigo U.S. to provide our campers with cell phones at a group discount rate. To ensure your sons’ safety, the Nextel (like) phones will allow free contact among all campers and staff. All campers should carry cell phones with them at all times. Details about cell phones can be found online on an exclusive website www.amigo-us.com/machane-yisrael or call 1-888-264-4687 and mention our group name (Machane Yisrael). Your responsibility will be the phone rental and any usage. Please note in order to be included in the free group shipment your order must be placed before June 20. Your son will be receiving his phone and phone number at the airport. Please allow a few hours after arrival in Israel to contact your son.

Medical Form

Enclosed in this mailing is a medical form. Please have it filled out and returned to our US office no later then June 8. For your sons’ safety, no camper will be allowed to travel with us without this completed form on file.

Camp Meeting

There will be a mandatory camp meeting on Thursday June 8, at 7:00 pm. in Shaare Zion‘s Terrace Room. All campers and one parent must be present. Please be on time.