Achva Israel 2008
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Achva West is truly a fabulous program for boys and girls finishing the 9th grade that takes advantage of all the great sites and attractions all over the Western part of the United States. From amazing theme parks to majestic mountains and from Las Vegas to Yellowstone National Park, this tour does so much in six weeks you will not believe it. What's so amazing about Achva West? With Shabbat to relax and refresh, every day features something new to see and fun to do. And if your friends are not already going on this trip, then you will make new friends quickly.

Three meals a day of catered kosher food are provided throughout your trip, and lodging is provided at hotels and an occasional motel along the way. Travel is aboard air-conditioned coach buses. The tour also includes topical learning sessions, an occasional guest speaker and, of course, a lively Shabbat at the end of each exciting week. The tour is supervised by our senior staff, talented counselors, catering and technical staff as well as a rabbinic advisor who all work incredibly hard to give you the best summer possible. Achva West is just a great way to spend your summer.

Here is an approximate itinerary for 2008. Subject to change. Roll your mouse over links for additional comments about those sites.

July 6) - Arrive in Denver, transfer to Colorado Springs, CO
July 7) - Cave of the Winds, Seven Falls
July 8) - Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
July 9) - Royal Gorge Bridge, Ghost Town, Rodeo
July 10) - head to Denver, Celestial Seasonings, Invesco Field
July 11) - Six Flags Elitch Gardens
July 12) - Group Shabbat in Denver
July 13) - Terry Bison Ranch, Riverton, WY,
July 14) - head to Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful
July 15) - Whitewater Rafting in Big Sky
July 16) - Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, WY
July 17) - head to Salt Lake City, UT, afternoon sports
July 18) - Olympic Park in Park City,
July 19) - Group Shabbat in Salt Lake City
July 20) - 17 of Tammuz, travel to Bryce Canyon
July 21) - Horseback Riding in Beautiful Bryce Canyon
July 22) - Zion National Park, transfer to Las Vegas, NV, Stratosphere Tower Views
July 23) - Hoover Dam, New York, New York's Coney Island Emporium,, the fabulous Las Vegas Strip
July 24) - The Grand Canyon
July 25) - More Grand Canyon, head over to Phoenix, AZ
July 26) - Group Shabbat in Phoenix
July 27) - Palm Springs, CA
July 28) - Magic Mountain, Santa Clarita
July 29) - Ventura, CA, Channel Islands Boat Ride
July 30) - Autism Awareness Program, travel to San Francisco, CA
July 31) - Pier 39 Boat Ride, Fishermans Wharf, Chinatown Golden Gate Bridge
Aug. 1) - San Jose, CA
Aug. 2) - Group Shabbat in San Franciso
Aug. 3) - Yosemite National Park, overnight in Curry Village Tents
Aug. 4) - Yosemite Waterfall, travel to Fresno, Boomer's
Aug. 5) - Sequioa National Forest, head to L.A.'s Pico Blvd
Aug. 6) - Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
Aug. 7) - Sony Movie Studio, Hollywood Blvd
Aug. 8) - Bike riding on Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive
Aug. 9) - Group Shabbat in Los Angeles
Aug. 10) - Tisha B'Av - Kinot Program, Museum of Tolerance
Aug. 11) - travel to San Diego, SeaWorld, San Diego, CA
Aug. 12) - La Jolla Kayaking the return to L.A., Dodger's Baseball
Aug. 13) - Universal Studios, Gala Concluding Banquet
Aug. 14) - Goodbyes! Flights home.

Sunday, July 6 to Thursday August 14, 2008
$6,300

Price includes room, board, all sites and attractions, and round-trip airfare from New York. Those living outside of New York may fly directly to Denver and back from L.A. and will receive an air travel credit.

If you need more information or to check on availability, call our office at 212 929-1525 ext. 181 or e-mail achva@youngisrael.org. You may also download a registration form. 

See some photos from Achva West 2008!

Read the following article from Viewpoint Magazine about Achva West.

Dates and prices are tentantive and subject to change based on flight, hotel availability and unexpected surcharges.


Links to all sites not on the youngisrael.org web server, like tour destinations, are provided purely for informational purposes only and are not checked for accuracy, timeliness or inappropriate material. Achva is not in any way responsible for offensive or objectionable content found on those sites. If any problems are discovered, please e-mail us immediately so we can remove the link. Thank you.


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All Rights Reserved.

Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine- Go 1000 feet underground into cavernous tunnels to see where real miners dig up copper, iron ore, and gold. You may even walk away with a little nugget yourself.
Snowcap Retreat Sports Day- Head into the Rocky Mountains for a day of swimming, football, volleyball, canoeing, and the all-day 3 on 3 basketball tournament!
Celestial Tea Tour- It's actually more fun than it sounds- plus you get free tea (hot and iced) at the end. And you're sure to find a nice gift for grandma in the gift shop.
Invesco Field- Experience a private tour of where the Denver Broncos play. Go into the press box, a luxury sweet, the locker rooms, and even run along the edges of the endzone!
Elitch Gardens- Roller Coasters, water slides, flooms, cyclones- ride 'em all at Denver's biggest amusement park!
Terry Bison Ranch- See the Buffalo roam the prairie. You may even run into an ostrich or a camel, and find out what a beefalo is! That's not a typo, there is such an animal.
Yellowstone National Park- On the beautiful drive into the park you may see moose, buffalo, elk, bald eagles, and bears- all living in their natural habitat. In the park you'll get to see Old Faithful erupt, explore geysers, and go whitewater rafting into Montana.
The Grand Tetons- Perhaps the most breath taking part of the tour. Take a boat ride across the pristine Jenny Lake and then hike through these luscious mountains, full of panoramic views and incredible waterfalls. Don't worry, even though the mountains are snow-capped in the summer, it's still 80 degrees at the base.
Olympic Park- See Olympic athletes training at the facilities in Salt Lake City.
Bryce Canyon- Take a hike along the rim of this amazing national treasure. Then go horseback riding on an adventurous trail right out of the Ol' West.
Las Vegas- Head to the top of the Stratosphere tower, see the water show at the Bellagio, the Lions at MGM, ride a stretch limo through town, and more! You won't run out of things to do in Vegas!
The Grand Canyon- Hike along the southern rim, and daven mincha in view of the Canyon sunset. A view and spiritual experience that will last you a lifetime.
Pico Boulevard- Dinner is on us- spend some free time on LA's most kosher street, and eat at the restaurant of your choosing.
Hollywood Blvd- Mann's Chinese Theater! The Hollywood walk of fame! Jimmy Kimmel live! Past participants have even met cast-members of the show.
The Museum of Tolerance- Spend a part of your Tisha B'Av immersed in the oppressive struggles our ancestors went through during the Holocaust. The interactive nature of the newly renovated Museum will hit you with an emotional punch that will make your day all the more meaningful.
Channel Island Boat Ride- Achva charters a large boat that takes you hours offshore towards the wondrous Channel Islands. Feel free to stand at the ships bow and get splashed with waves. Watch out for dolphins swimming along the boat, and spot sea lions on the Islands shore.
Super San Francisco Sunday- Explore fisherman's wharf and be sure to get some free chocolate from Ghirardelli Square (yes, it's kosher). Then take a boat in the harbor, where you'll see Alcatraz Island. Then head over to the largest Chinatown in the U.S.
Yosemite National Park- See the imposing grandeur of El Capitan, and take a short hike up some rocky terrain, and jump in Bridalveil falls. Watch out for bears at night, and other wildlife regularly seen in the park.
More Yosemtie- Choose a version of the Vernal Fall to hike. You can either go to bridge with a stunning view of the waterfall, or hike all the way up to the top. Those brave enough can climb down to its pool, but be warned- the force of the falls creates a lot of mist and you will get soaked.
Boomers- Take some time to play the latest video games and ride the go-karts in between all the awesome hiking in the national parks.
Sequoia National Park- Hike through the largest trees in the world! Seriously, these things are HUGE!
Phoenix- Yes, it's hot but the hotel is really nice and has top notch air conditioning.
Venice Beach- Bike ride or rollerblade along the boardwalk, buy some wacky souvenirs at the shops, play serious games of ball with the locals, or just chill on the sand.
La Jolla Kayaking- Start off on the beach and push your way through the waves into the calm of the ocean. Kayak or swim alongside leopard sharks- don't worry, they're completely harmless! Watch out for the seals, and sting-rays (they're harmless too.) Then feel the rush, as you ride the waves back to shore.
Disneyland- C'mon it's Disneyland, do you really need a description?
Universal Studios- Save the best for last as you ride the movies at Universal. Prepare for the big end of the summer banquet. Make sure you take some time to reflect on a truly unbelievable summer!
Sure, Shamu is awesome (though he could probably afford to lose a few pounds), but the rest of the park is pretty darn cool too-especially the Atlantis roller coaster.