by Chase Foster

Shalom! My name is Chase Foster, and I am so lucky to be coming back to GUCI this summer as your Program Director. Born and raised in Cincinnati, I first set foot at GUCI in 1995. I have spent years as a camper, Avodahnik, Counselor, Migdal Man, and Avodah Unit Head. This summer will be my thirteenth summer at camp, and sixth on staff.

Since I graduated college from Purdue University, I worked as the Director of Youth Activities for Anshe Emeth in New Brunswick, NJ for three years, including spending time as faculty at URJ Camp Harlam, working on educational programming for various age groups. I just returned from living in Jerusalem for the year as a Rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College.

This summer is so special for many reasons. First, I get to be at camp! GUCI has always been a second home for me, and I am eager to finally return. Second, this summer is the tenth reunion of my Avodah summer. Third, this staff is experienced, knowledgeable, energetic, and excited to provide an engaging and safe summer for the hundreds of campers who walk through our gates. Finally, GUCI is an amazing place that has been cultivating Jewish identity for 55 years, but we refuse to rest on our laurels. As we progress throughout the summer, we will seek every opportunity to enhance GUCI’s magic.

To this day, I can recall from my first moments at GUCI many of my cabin mates who are still some of my best friends, my cabin themes (Animal House, 0018, et al), my counselors (Asst. Dir. Joe Slade, et al), my campers, Yom Sport teams, Projects, memorable Shiurim, and so much more. In 1996, I won all-camp Simon Says on Yom Sport. These memories are what make GUCI a life-changing experience, and I look forward to having a key role in creating these memories for everyone this summer.