No vaccine is required. As of March 1, 2022, Israel is welcoming foreigners from abroad regardless of vaccination status or COVID recovery status.

No testing is required. As of May 20, 2022, all PCR testing and quarantine requirements have been lifted for foreigners entering Israel from abroad.

We volunteer on small farms owned by Jewish people throughout the mountains of central Israel. Historically, this area was known for its world-class vineyards and the prophets of the Bible specifically mention grapes, vineyards and wine when speaking about the restoration that God promised He would bring back to the Land of Israel. Because of this, the biggest need that the farmers have is for help in the vineyards.

This is quite significant because the prophet Isaiah wrote over 2,700 years ago about the day when foreigners would come to Israel from other nations to tend and harvest the vineyards (see Isaiah chapter 61). This is happening for the first time in our generation!

From late July to late October is the harvest season where the grapes ripen (different grapes ripen at different times throughout these several months). If you come during this time of the year, volunteer work will mostly consist of harvesting grapes on farms throughout Israel.

The winter pruning season begins in mid-January and goes until mid-March. This is when all the vines lose their leaves and go dormant. Each vine needs to be pruned by hand and have all the branches cut back. This is a crucial process to maintain the health of the vine and ensure a bountiful harvest later in the year. If you come during this season (our men’s trip) volunteer work will consist mostly of pruning vines.

Other volunteer work that we do at various times of the year include planting trees, planting new vineyards, and harvesting various types of produce.

Working on the farms of Israel is fun and not overly-strenuous. You’ll enjoy it! We try to get up early each morning and make it out to the fields by sunrise so that we can work during the coolest and most pleasant part of the day. We usually wrap up work in the early afternoon and have the rest of the day to explore biblical and historical sites in the area (or go back to camp for a nap, fellowship with other volunteers, or relaxation time before dinner).

The typical cost to come on one of our volunteer trips is $1,440 per person for a 2-week trip and $1,920 per person for a 3-week trip. Our Heartland Experience trip costs more ($2,400 per person for a 10-day trip) because it includes touring, site and museum admission fees, and several nights in a hotel. On average, our trip costs are about half of what it costs to come on a typical Israel tour of the same length.

This trip cost includes all your food, housing and transportation as well as your visa to enter the country. This cost does not include airfare from your hometown to the airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The cost for airfare to Israel depends on where you live and what time of year you are flying. The average cost to fly from the United States or Canada is between $800 and $1,200 per person, round-trip.

Coming as a family? We have great family discounts! Children ages 6 to 12 get 50% off, children 0 to 5 get 80% off, and every 4th adult family member (13 and older) is free!

• For our Grape Harvest trips, we welcome any volunteers age 18 to 70. Children ages zero to 18 are also welcome on our harvest and tree planting trips, but they must come with a parent.
• For our Heartland Experience trips, we welcome people of all ages. Children under the age of 18 must come with a parent.
• For our Pruning trips, we welcome men ages 18 to 70. Boys from age 12 to 17 are also welcome, but they must come with their father. We do not allow pruning trip applicants under the age of 12 or over the age 70.
• For our Special Ops trip, we only allow young men and young women ages 18 to 35.
• Our organization is very family-friendly, and our staff families have children of all ages. We encourage families to bring their children and come together for our grape harvest or Heartland Experience trips. We have many families come with babies who accompany mom and dad to the fields in a stroller or carrier.
• We also love to have senior citizens join us for our volunteer programs, although please be aware that our volunteer work is mainly done on rocky mountainsides, and in the summer, it does get very hot. We encourage those who are coming to prepare themselves physically by spending time outside, taking walks, and getting some exercise in the weeks leading up to their Israel trip. If you are concerned that climbing hills and traversing steep, rocky terrain might be too strenuous for you, consider coming on one of our Heartland Experience trips. The workload is much lighter, it’s not in the summer heat, and you will still get the opportunity to do some volunteer service.
• You should be physically fit and in good health before coming to Israel. Applicants over the age of 60 may be asked to provide a signed letter from their doctor giving permission to travel internationally and participate in this program.

You’ll be staying in a room at our volunteer campus on the Mount of Blessing, located in central Israel. Our accommodations are similar to a hostel and are simple, but still comfortable and with all basic amenities. Restrooms and showers are located in a separate building. If you come with your spouse or your family, you’ll be rooming with them. If you come by yourself, you will room with one or two fellow volunteers.

Linens are provided. Towels, soap, shampoo, and other amenities are not provided – you will need to bring your own.

There are no additional costs for lodging. Everything is included in the price of the trip.