Bethsaida Excavations
Almost anyone can dig at Bethsaida. Work requires various levels of physical conditioning, but there is a job for all ages and ability levels. Work includes digging, sifting dirt, washing pottery and other artifacts, and sorting and cataloguing finds.
NEW! Apply for a $500 scholarship to offset the costs of your travel to Bethsaida! Download the application (.doc)
Here are the dates for the 2013 dig:
| Session 1 | Sunday, May 19 | to | Saturday, June 1 |
| Session 2 | Sunday, June 2 | to | Saturday, June 15 |
| Session 3 | Sunday, June 16 | to | Saturday, June 29 FULL |
Please note that Session 3 is now FULL! Sign up for Session 1 or 2 before it's too late!
Work days at Bethsaida are Monday through Friday. You can sign up to stay for a week or more - it's up to you. A typical work day looks like this:
| 5:30 a.m. | Daily work begins |
| 9 a.m. | Breakfast at the site |
| 1 p.m. | Lunch at the kibbutz |
| 4:30 p.m. | Lab works "pottery reading" |
| 7 p.m. | Dinner |
| 8 p.m. | Lecture |
Most volunteer excavators stay at the air-conditioned cottages at Nof Ginosar Hotel on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. However, due to the area's development as a tourism destination, some dig sessions stay at the more modest, but still comfortable, Hakuk Balev. When you choose a dig session, the excavations coordinator will tell you which accommodations are available.
Pleae note that all participants must arrange for international health and personal insurance coverage through their own universities and carriers. The participation fee includes a laundry service done once a week. Clinics and a hospital are available in the town of Tiberias, a few miles away from Ginosar.
Costs for the 2013 dig are as follows:
| Tier | Day | 1 week | 2 weeks |
| Dorm | $89 | $603 | $1,206 |
| Triple | $114 | $778 | $1,556 |
| Double | $160 | $1,100 | $2,220 |
| Single | $176 | $1,212 | $2,424 |
Note that triple and double room rates are per person. Prices reflect progressive discounts of $20 for each week of participation.
There is a $200 per person deposit required. It is refundable until April 2.
Prices include:
To join, complete the Volunteer Application.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us:
Kristy Leahy Pape, Excavations Coordinator
1.402.554.3108
kristyleahy@unomaha.edu
