From October 7th through December, SPNI provided emergency housing to 2,000 displaced families from the Gaza envelope and northern Israel who had to flee their homes. SPNI housed these families for free in its field schools in various safe locations across Israel, and gave them full board and an astounding array of educational and recreational activities. SPNI also provided these nature educational and recreational activities for families who were housed in hotels, unable to return to their homes. These programs are what evolved into the Nature Heals program.
What this response made possible:
Safe shelter at no cost
Families evacuated from Sderot, Ofakim, and surrounding communities stayed in SPNI field schools located in secure areas.
Daily activities that offered calm and structure
SPNI educators led nature walks, creative workshops, short outdoor trips, and simple moments of quiet connection for pre-schoolers, children, youth, and adults.
Support for families across Israel
Our guides traveled to hotels where evacuees were placed, offering nature education, astronomy nights, and outdoor experiences that created small pockets of stability in an uncertain time.
SPNI has additionally provided the following support to care for the people of Israel.
Nature Heals
This program includes free nature trips and hikes for all ages. There are also special Wilderness Youth Camps, hosted at the Hatzeva and Mitzpe Ramon field schools, which are designed especially for traumatized teens.
Education Solidarity
Following October 7, the Ein Gedi and Eilat field schools became the official hosts of the schools for Kibbutz Be’eri and other destroyed kibbutzim, with support from the Ministry of Education.
Soldier Housing
SPNI’s northern field schools, several in areas designated as closed military zones, provided temporary housing for reserve soldiers whose bases do not have anywhere for them to sleep. *This effort was supported solely by Israeli donors.
Field School Refuge
SPNI’s remaining field schools in areas that are safe from rocket fire, remain open to host (and subsidize if need be) Israelis looking for respite in nature.