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Camp for child terror victims open in Eilat

Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2003

Dec. 22, 2003 -- About 400 children who have lost parents and siblings to terror will attend a Chanukah vacation camp in Eilat this week sponsored by the Koby Mandell Foundation.

The Foundation was established following the brutal terrorist murder of Koby Mandell, 13, and Yosef Ishran, in May 8, 2001, in a cave on the outskirts of Tekoa.

Camp Koby and Yosef, an American-style camp for child victims of terror, will be meeting in Eilat during the Chanukah vacation. The children are between the ages of 9 to 17, both religious and non-religious and include children from Druze families in the North.

On their first night in Eilat, the children will be visited by Eilat's Mayor Meir Yitzchak Levy, who will join the group to light the Menorah.

Camp activities include camel rides, speed boating, snorkeling, and mountain hiking. In the evenings the group will have campfires on the beach.

According to the Foundation, there will be a strong emphasis on continuity of friendships and relationships with fellow campers and counselors.

At Camp Koby, the children will be encouraged to express their feelings, and anxieties, but above all, to relax and enjoy the activities.

A team of programming, educational and therapeutic professionals runs the program. The team works closely with trauma specialists and has developed strategic relationships with The Israel Family Therapy Advancement Fund and the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma.