Falling in Love at Camp All Over Again
Tu B’Av begins tonight. It’s often described as the Jewish Valentine’s Day because historically this was a day for matchmaking. The Talmud describes young women, dressed in white, dancing in the vineyards looking for a partner. Tu B’Av is a little known holiday and does not require special liturgy or ritual. Recently in Israel, the holiday has been reclaimed as a holiday of love with singing and dancing.
Zionsville to Zion – GUCI connecting to Israel
When campers speak about their favorite parts of camp, Shabbat song session often tops the list. The unbridled ruach that we experience at GUCI week after week, year after year, is evidence of a pure joy unique to this community. As a longtime camper and now as a staff member, I have experienced many Shabbat song sessions. For me, the most memorable part is when the music slows, we take our seats, the lights dim and, our arms linked around one another, and we quietly sing the last few songs.
Becoming A Counselor
I was only 17-years old when I began my job being a camp counselor at GUCI. Fortunately, I was beginning this job in a well-established training program at a camp I fully adored. My first staff-training was filled with so much information to absorb: learning about developmental milestones, communication skills, conflict resolution, incorporation of spirituality. The trainings seamlessly wove into the day-to-day of camp.
Healthy Competition and Being a Captain
Yom Sport is one of the most special days on camp each session. It’s where camp really showcases how much ruach we have. Even throughout the few years that I have been at here, no two Yom Sports are or feel the same.
A Shabbat Message – July 13th 2018
Its’ been a very busy week in Zionsville! A great week! On Sunday, we closed an amazing Kallah Aleph (first session), sending home 237 campers who spent their month learning and living together. Staff had a few hours off, and then we gathered Monday morning to start a marathon day of transition.
GUCI: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
It was the summer of 2002. Vanessa Carlton and Ashanti topped the charts; Tamagotchis, Furbies, and slap bracelets were all the rage. And I was preparing for my first summer at Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana.
Shabbat is when we SING!
Every Shabbat, everyone at GUCI gathers together for the weekend. Not only to share in the relaxation and celebrating of the past week and the upcoming new week, but to share in the sound of all of our voices coming together. Each event or program that takes place during this time centers around song and community.
Welcome Matthew Modansky
Please join us in welcoming Matthew to the URJ GUCI family! Matthew joined the URJ GUCI team Monday October 2nd as its first Development Manager. Matthew will play a key role in creating, coordinating and implementing GUCI’s development program. The addition of...
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At GUCI, we take great pride in building a diverse Reform Jewish community. We encourage people to really be themselves, and to work hard to develop their “best selves.” We embrace the wide range of personalities, interests, and skills people bring to our community...
Summer 2018 Enrollment Live October 1st!
Starting October 1st- Enrollment will be live for everyone! With nearly 400 campers already enrolled, space is limited. We’ve lowered our deposit to $75/camper (down from $250). We also are offering our Early Bird discount through the end of the year ($100 for 4...
GUCI From the Eyes of an Outsider
By Rosie Needham, URJ GUCI Pool Director As someone who is not Jewish, my journey to camp was very different compared to others. Back in 2015, being driven through the gates of Goldman Union Camp, I remember feeling a little nervous, but excited for what the summer...
I Love Garin
By Lia Mossler, URJ GUCI Counselor I am a counselor for the youngest unit on camp, Garin, This means I work with campers ranging in age from seven to nine years old and comes with many challenges; homesick campers, temper-tantrums, and constant, never-ending...
How Strangers Become Cabinmates
By Max Frankel, URJ GUCI Counselor As a first year counselor, I am thrilled to begin my newest venture at GUCI where I started my original venture- in Garin, Cabin 11. I came into camp knowing one person, which seemed daunting to me as well as to my parents I’m sure....
A Thought Has Blown the Marketplace Away
By Sam Cogen, URJ GUCI Head Songleader A thought has blown the marketplace away. There is a song on the wind, and joy in the trees. Shabbat has arrived in the world. Scattering a song, in the silence of the night. And eternity utters a day. -Rabbi Abraham Joshua...
Why Camp Matters
By Shayna Warner, URJ GUCI Camper Care Specialist I’ve been trying to figure out exactly which part of camp is the most important to share in a brief blog post. How do we sum up all that is this place? For every one of us who has anything to do with GUCI, we have...