Blog

By Laura Levine, URJ GUCI Counselor Every day at camp we have "chofesh," or free time, before lunch and dinner. It is an unstructured break from our schedule full of engaging programs and activities where campers have time to relax and enjoy time with their friends....

By Arianna Goldstein, URJ GUCI Counselor Camp can be stressful and intimidating when it comes to dietary restrictions. I have struggled with this problem for my entire camp career and have learned throughout the years that the salad bar is my best friend. This is my...

By Ethan Stone, Former URJ GUCI Camper and Counselor When people say that GUCI is a place where you will make friends for life, they really mean it. It’s incredible to me that I almost never see my camp friends, but they’re still some of the most important people in...

Thanksgiving is a time where you sit back and reflect on what you’re thankful for.  Every year there are events, people, places and things that add a new layer to your life and who you are. As I’ve already had a month since celebrating our Canadian Thanksgiving, I’ve...

As we approach these High Holy Days and embrace the season’s invitation to reflect upon the meaningfulness of our lives, I’m always pulled toward the relationships and adventures that I experienced at camp. Indeed, whenever I return to the foundations of my Jewish...

By: Mia Hollander, Anaf Camper This is my sixth summer at GUCI. Last year I was a 13 year old girl and I definitely had some attitude. Continuing to come back to camp, however, was the best choice I have ever made. The community camp gives is the most welcoming I have...

It seems like just yesterday we opened our gates for our Kallah Aleph campers. Now, in just a few short days Kallah Bet will come to a close. Sunday morning kids will return home with new experiences and lifelong memories. With 26 days packed full of excitement,...

By: Jeremy Cronig, Counselor After three summers away, I returned to GUCI this summer to work as a counselor. I was filled with nerves and excitement to return this place. I attribute so much of who I am as a person and a Jew to my time as a camper here. The first day...

It’s a typical morning at GUCI— Captain Crunch with Crunchberries with a side of real berries for breakfast, Birkat H’mazon, another goofy installment of “The Jellyfish Song,” then a Migdal skit. But rather an elaborate story line ending with an off rhyme to today’s...

By: Daniel Kahn, Trip Coordinator Kesher is a 3 day, 2 night camping trip that all of Anaf goes on during the 3rd week of the session. It is a chance for GUCI's oldest unit to get away from camp, connect with nature, and be together without any distractions. The unit...

By: Josh Weikel, Migdal Man (Climbing Specialist) There’s no program that brings a cabin closer together than an afternoon on the Migdal. The Migdal is GUCI’s climbing program that the campers participate in by cabin and nosaf groups throughout the session. GUCI is...

By: Michael Levy, Anaf Unit Head In high school there are always the stereotypical groups of people. The jocks, nerds, thespians, etc. All of the people who fall into these typecasts exist at camp, but the groups do not. I have never seen another place where these...

We live in a world where peer approval means everything— especially to adolescents. Wearing the right outfit with the right labels, getting "likes," being friends with the cool kids all matter. Or at least it's supposed to... GUCI is different, and proud to be. Last...

By: Jeremy Klotz, Director One of the hallmarks of a GUCI summer experience is the Shabbat celebration.  It is our ultimate expression of community.  In addition to our staff and campers, Shabbat is a time when we are typically joined by many guests at camp; some...

By: Ruthie Chaban, third year counselor I came to GUCI in the summer of 2004 as a Garin camper. I fell in love with the people and the place itself. After my two weeks I couldn't wait to go back year after year, and even kept in contact with my cabin-mates. Sadly my...