Holiday Camps for Bereaved Children

Otzma Camps, a program of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, are much more than camps for children and teens. Since 2011, they have provided a warm and safe space for bereaved children ages 6 to 18 — a place to meet others who understand without needing many words, to share, connect, laugh, experience new things, and feel part of a community.

Four times a year, during school holidays, the camps create a unique environment where experiences, workshops, challenges, parties, and special activities come together with a deep sense of belonging and the support of peers who share a similar journey.

Alongside dedicated counselors — many of whom are former campers themselves — the children discover that they are not alone, that they have a safe place to return to, and that through connection, friendship, and togetherness, they can find strength, joy, and hope.

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+18,000
Widows & orphans supported
35 years
Supporting bereaved families
4
Otzma camps every year

Why we love this project

A place where children feel understood
Turning shared loss into connection and strength
Creating moments to laugh and simply be children again

The story behind the project

The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization was founded in 1991 to ensure that the widows, widowers, and children of fallen members of the IDF and Israel’s security forces never have to face bereavement alone.

The organization accompanies its members from the moment of loss and throughout every stage of life, providing a broad network of emotional, social, financial, and community support.

Its programs include grants, scholarships, benefits, individual assistance, camps for children and teens, mentoring programs, workshops, courses, trips, retreats, and community gatherings.

Together, these initiatives create a strong sense of belonging, resilience, and purpose, giving bereaved families a community, a support system, and a place they can always turn to.

Alongside this personal support, the organization also advocates for bereaved families in the public and parliamentary arenas, representing them before decision-makers, protecting their rights, and working to advance solutions that respond to their needs.