In Israel, we are dedicating our expertise to support the survivors of the October 7 attacks. All our regular programs are experiencing meaningful processes in Israel, Cyprus, and Italy. Please check our program pages for more details.
Welcome to Free Spirit Experience
Where Change is Inspired by
Challenge and Choice
For Teens and Young Adults Everywhere
The Programs at Free Spirit Experience
We offer young-adult and teen programs year-round, including an incredible, meaningful and fun summer program, a gap-year program in two semesters, and rolling admission programs for the unexpected crisis. For our participants’ parents and families we also offer a family week filled with challenging and productive experiences.
Gap Year
Free Spirit offers a full gap year (September to May and January to August) program, designed for Young Adults, ages 18-23 who wish to have a successful transition into young adulthood.
We also offer a single semester experience (September through December or January to May), that includes the focal component of our gap year process, without the internship.
Summer Program
Our Summer experience is appropriate for teens or young adults during their summer vacation. It is geared for those experiencing some personal or interpersonal challenges, but typically manage to get by during the school year. For some, the personal price they pay during the school year causes additional difficulties such as isolation, depression, frustration, and low self-image. Some of our participants are transitioning through schools or living situations and come to Free Spirit to enable a smoother and more successful transition. Our young adult summer program is mainly designed for alumni of our programs who wish to join us for yet another summer experience and we also welcome new applicants.
fs NEXT
The overall dropout rate for undergraduate college students in the United States is 40% (Education Date Initiative). Free Spirit Experience in Israel is now offering our fs NEXT program, offering social and emotional coaching and support to students, in international colleges in Israel.
Our Location
Free Spirit Experience is located in Kibbutz Hazore’a, a picturesque living Kibbutz community on the Carmel mountain range near Haifa in the north-central part of Israel. Our small campus on the Kibbutz provides for a community within a community feel with separate girls and boys dorms, a kitchen-club and an incredible area for work and play. From the Kibbutz we venture out to local hikes as well as trips and expeditions all over Israel, sailing on the Mediterranean to Cyprus, and longer periods exploring Italy.
Our Philosophy
The pillars of our work are grounded in the Challenge by Choice (CBC) philosophy, community life, and immersive, experiential therapies. Together we create a significant, positive, and lasting effect on people’s lives, be it teens and young adult participants, families, visitors, and also ourselves.
