FAQs

Some questions frequently asked by Achva applicants and parents:

Q. How long has Achva been around?

A. Achva started providing tours to Israel in 1981 and has been running amazing trips to various places ever since. We especially love hearing from the many parents that tell us that they went on Achva and are now sending their kids. For many Achva families, sending kids on Achva is a family tradition. You can rest assured that Achva's almost three decades of experience is put to good use on every tour we run.

Q. Who are the counselors?

A. One of our biggest assets is our talented, dedicated and hard working counselor staff. We are especially selective about every staff member who comes on the program. All newly hired staff are either someone we know personally or come highly recommended by camp/youth professionals. Please see our staff pages for more information about the age and qualification of our staff members or see a list of our actual staff from the summer.

Q. When is the last day I can apply?

A. Waiting for the last minute to apply is not a good strategy. We have seen so many people miss out an Achva trip because they waited too long and then decided too late that they wanted to attend. We continue to accept applications to Achva until we run out of space. When that will be, no one knows for sure, so it's not worth taking a chance. Once in a while, a program will not fill up and then we keep taking applicants until about 30 days before the trip leaves. To find out the status of a particular program, send us an email or give us a call.

Q. Who else is going?

A. We will not give out a list of registered participants for the program. We are happy to provide you with an idea of the types of kids we have, and general information like what schools they go to and where they live. You might also want to check out our Facebook groups to see who is planning to go. In the past, Achva has attracted a great group of kids and we are confident that we will continue to do so in the future. Chances are that if you sign up, your friends will too. Your best bet is to give us a call and we will be happy to discuss the types of kids we have and whether Achva is right for you.

Q. Does everyone get in?

A. No, not everyone. Every summer we end up rejecting a few. But the vast majority of the people who apply for Achva are accepted and make wonderful participants. Achva interviews all applicants and requires two written recommendations. We also call and check references. We know that what makes Achva great is not just where we go but the caliber of the participants.

Q. What if I need to leave the program early?

A. If you need to leave shortly before the program ends for a family simcha or important occasion, we can usually accommodate. Please give us a call to discuss your situation. Please be aware that under no circumstances does leaving early reduce the price of the program or afford a discount. In fact, there may be a small extra charge to change your plane ticket from the regular group return flight.

Q. How much time is spent on the bus?

A. Achva's programs are travel programs and that means we move around a lot. Generally, that travel is by bus. However, the number one misconception about Achva is that we spend all day long on a bus.  Nothing is further from the truth. The vast majority of time is spent in the great outdoors or at indoor attractions. We make every effort to minimize unnecessary time on the bus. Many kids find the bus rides fun and a chance to relax, socialize, listen to music or watch movies on our DVD system. Achva buses make frequent stops and never travel overnight.  Buses in America have bathrooms for emergencies though frequent stops are made anyway. Overall, very few participants feel we spend too much time on the bus.

Q. Is it true that "Achva just goes to malls all the time“?

That is the second biggest misconception about our trips and totally false.  Not sure where this idea got started. However, a quick glance at any Achva itinerary will show you that Achva actually goes to Mall's only once in a while. Sometimes, we go to malls when there is something especially interesting there. (For example, on Achva West, we go to a fun outdoor mall called the Grove where we routinely meet many celebrities. In Israel, we will do a mall for the fun kosher fast food possibilities, such as Pizza Hut or Kentucky Fried Chicken.)

Q. Can I switch buses during the trip?

A. No, once the trip begins you are not allowed to switch buses (see below for the policy on our Israel trips that merge together). Buses are determined by your requests which are submitted right before the trip begins. So assuming you request your friends, you will be together with most of them on your bus. In certain cases, bus adjustments will be allowed but only before the trip begins.

Q. If I am on Achva Europe/Israel and my friend on Achva Israel, can we still be on the same bus?

A. Yes, the buses are reassigned based on your requests once the Europe group arrives in Israel. Once the buses are reassigned and the groups merge, the buses remain the same.

Q. What if I am taking medication?

A. Achva does everything possible within the context of a travel program to accommodate kids with various medical conditions and who require various types of medications and treatments. No nurse or doctor travels with the program but we do utilize local doctors whenever necessary. Please give us a call to discuss your circumstances and we will give you an honest appraisal of the situation.

Q. Are there scholarships?

A. Achva does not generally offer any kind of direct financial aid. We do work with local Jewish Federations to provide financial aid for our Israel programs. We also offer some discounts for two children from one family and for returnees who sign up early for the following year. Give us a call if you wish to discuss financial options to help make the trip slightly more affordable. In particularly dire situations, we may be able to find generous financial assistance for certain deserving applicants. For example, in the past we have offered financial aid to kids who's parents were affected by Hurricane Katrina, terrorist attacks in Israel, or suffered from disabilities. (By the way, if you are interested in donating to an Achva scholarship fund that helps these types of potential Achva participants, please let us know.)

Q. What does the Achva staff do the rest of the year?

A. Believe it or not, we still get this question.  Of course, putting together great summer trips is a year round effort. We actually start working on the following summer right after the programs return. Maybe we take a day or two just to unwind but then we start planning and laying out the strategy for next year's tours.