by Jeffrey Becker

Yesterday marked the first day of camp here at GUCI! It was a very exciting time. There was a smell of exhilaration and anticipation in the air. The counselors were very excited to finally meet their campers and help move them into their cabins for the summer. But what would this first day bring to the camp? I think that summer has finally begun. I know that I am excited to finally be able to share this magical place with these campers. I know that in the week that the staff and I have been here we have learned a lot, that we are ready for whatever comes our way.

So let me start at what happened yesterday. At around 1 pm the cars showed up, and this being a new year at GUCI, a lot of happiness was in the air. All the children met their counselors and the counselors met their campers for the first time. Then Rabbi Mark Covitz introduced the units of camp to each other, and we had our first full dinner together (chicken wings & baked sweet potato fries, delicious!) All followed by a beautiful faculty-led t’filah about the meaning and importance of the prayers in the service.

This is my first year at GUCI, and I know that with everything that we learned during staff week, I can succeed. As someone new to camp, I had my doubts at the beginning, but everyone (staff and campers), have been extremely helpful and helped me become acclimated to camp, just as counselors are now doing for new campers.

All I know is GUCI is in for one great ride this summer. These next four weeks are going to fly by and change my life and the life of all these campers.