Shalom! My name is Chase Foster, and I am so blessed to be returning to GUCI this summer as your Program Director. Born and raised in Cincinnati, I first set foot at GUCI in 1995 as a Shoresh camper. I spent years as a camper, Avodahnik, Counselor, Migdal Man, and Avodah Unit Head. This summer is my fourteenth summer at camp, and seventh on staff.

Last week, I again made that magical turn onto Moore Rd. This seemingly simple turn, one that I have made countless times as a camper, staff member, NFTY-ite, Youth Group Advisor, and now Program Director, never gets old. This year, I got chills and a grin from ear to ear. After months of anticipation and planning, I was finally back at GUCI!

Outside of camp, I just completed my second year of Rabbinical School at Hebrew Union College in New York City.

Simply put, I am who I am because of many of the lessons that I learned at GUCI. My love of Judaism was nurtured at GUCI, and I find myself gravitating towards a deeper understanding of camp as I learn in my classes about education. I am infatuated with camp, and I am rejuvenated by it with every second of my life that it consumes.

What about camp is so magical? It is the intensive atmosphere in which we challenge our community to live Jewishly. It is that sixth graders are taught Jewish values by college sophomores who are taught leadership skills and trained by a small core of professional staff who also grew up at GUCI. It is the beautiful melodies of our prayer and the excitement when a camper’s favorite song, which happens to be based on a Talmudic text, is played during song session. It is the engagement with Israeli staff, and the opportunities to try new Jewish rituals. It is Shabbat.

These memories, and so many more, are the foundation of my Jewish being, and I look forward to leading staff as we, again, create the magical camp that gives us chills every time.