A New Opportunity: The Extreme Sports Boarding School of the "Elaor" Organization

At the extreme sports boarding school of the "Elaor" organization, they believe that the rehabilitation of at-risk youth begins with building trust, strengthening mental resilience, and creating a sense of belonging. Through field expeditions, camping in nature, extreme activities, and coping with physical and mental challenges, the students learn to believe in themselves, take responsibility, work in a team, and connect to the values of love for the country, leadership, and giving.

Most of the students, aged 13–18, arrived at the "HaPardes" boarding school after experiencing a complex life reality, a lack of family support, dysfunctional parents, families dealing with addictions or imprisonment, and sometimes even without a stable home to return to. For many of them, the staff members are much more than counselors — they are their family. Since the outbreak of the war, many of the staff members have been called up for reserve duty, including Roman Har-Nof, a counselor at the boarding school, a commander and soldier in a special unit, who has been serving in the reserves since October 7.

Roman shares:

"Since October 7, I have had to go out to reserve duty again and again, and each time I saw how difficult the separation is for them. These are teenagers who have already experienced too many departures and disappointments in their lives, and therefore every such departure brings up old feelings for them again. When I return and arrive at the boarding school in uniform, even before I get home, I see the excitement in their eyes. The hug they give me reminds me why it is so important to continue to be there for them — both as a soldier protecting the country and as a counselor trying to help them build a better life."

He adds: "The boarding school is much more than a place of residence for these teenagers — it is their home. Through extreme sports and field expeditions, we teach them to deal with fears, to trust themselves and the friends beside them, to take responsibility, and not to give up even when it is difficult."

A., one of the boarding school students, tells about the complex period: "I am very connected to the counselors at the boarding school. Since the war started and most of the staff went out to reserve duty, we have experienced many changes of counselors and upheavals. It was difficult, because just when you connect with someone, they leave and someone else arrives in their place. We miss them, and when they are in the reserves, there is always a fear for their safety." According to him, the changes were felt well among the students as well: "There are teenagers who are affected by these changes very much, both behaviorally and socially."

Alon Alroy, Chairman of the Elaor organization, says: "Precisely during a period when many of the staff members were called up for reserve duty, we saw how deep and significant the connection between them and the students is, and how much power educational figures who accompany them along the way have. The extreme sports boarding school gives the teenagers much more than a framework. It gives them a home, security, and belief in themselves."

E., 17, from Jerusalem, a brother of six, testifies: "I love everything that has adrenaline and extreme. Before I was seven, my father passed away and since then I have gone through six different schools, I could not stay in any framework, I would be arrested for loitering and nonsense I would do, and at age 12 they decided I needed to enter the "HaPardes" boarding school here in Pardes Hanna. I did not cooperate, but the staff introduced me to the clubs, the boarding school was with me and helped me with everything until all my criminal files were closed and I was even elected chairman of the student council." E. adds: "I can say today that the boarding school is the best thing that happened to me in my life. I went to the first draft stage (Tzav Rishon) and I want to enlist in a combat unit and I will fight for it."