avodah (rising 11th grade)
The Avodah Program is designed to teach leadership skills, responsibility, self-confidence and community building. It promotes and encourages connection to Judaism and the exploration of one’s Jewish identity. Participants learn how camp functions by working in many of the areas essential to the camp’s operations, including the kitchen, maintenance, office, day camp, and infirmary. They develop leadership skills by engaging in courses designed to teach the basics of camper supervision and coverage, and then have the opportunity to put those skills to use as assistants in a number of our unit programs. Participants also explore various Jewish religious and cultural topics in informal educational programs designed and delivered by our talented Faculty.
The Avodah program is 9 weeks in length, and participants are expected to attend the entire program.
Avodah is an admission-by-acceptance program with limited space. No applicants are guaranteed admission to the program. The number of previous summers spent at GUCI is not a factor. Participation in the Avodah program is not a pre-requisite for future employment at GUCI.
Because of limited space, we encourage early application.
Payment plans and need-based scholarships may be available by agreement with the Camp Director. There are a few payment schedules to choose from when registration takes place.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Avodah program?
At its core core, Avodah is a Work, Study, and Leadership Training program.
The Avodah Program is designed to teach leadership skills, responsibility, self-confidence and community building. It promotes and encourages connection to Judaism and the exploration of one’s Jewish identity. Participants learn how camp functions by working in many of the areas essential to the camp’s operations, including the kitchen, maintenance, office, day camp, and infirmary.
Participants develop leadership skills by engaging in courses designed to teach the basics of camper supervision and coverage, and then have the opportunity to put those skills to use as assistants in a number of our unit programs. Participants also explore various Jewish religious and cultural topics in informal educational programs designed and delivered by our talented Faculty.
Avodah is an intensive work, study and leadership training program. Participants will be asked to manage a strenuous schedule of physical work, elevated leadership responsibilities and educational topics. The program is designed, in part, to prepare participants to become hired staff at camp in the future. To be successful in the program, participants must, at a minimum:
- Be interested in a physically strenuous and mentally stimulating program
- Be interested in developing leadership skills and putting them to use during the summer
- Be interested in the process of community building through shared responsibilities and teamwork
- Be able to and interested in working in teams and individually on various tasks and projects with minimal supervision
- Be able to learn and complete complex tasks and process, care for their own basic health and mental wellbeing, and live in close quarters with other participants.
We recommend parents/guardians speaking with their children about the requirements of this program before they submit an application. Additionally, we are happy to discuss the program details and requirements .
How long is the Avodah program? Can I/my teen attend part of it?
The Avodah program is 9 weeks in length, and participants are required to attend the entire program. We are able to work with Avodahnikim on an individual basis to leave for mandatory school events (depending on the time commitment). Please be in touch if you have any questions about this,
How do you apply for Avodah? Is it the same as the rest of GUCI's overnight programs?
No. Avodah is an admission=by-acceptance program with a limited capacity of approximately 40 participants. No applicants are guaranteed admission to the program
Those interested in Avodah must submit an application, have references fill out a form on their half and be accepted to the program before enrolling in camp. No enrollments will be considered, or places reserved in the program, before the application process is completed.
To apply, you must complete the following:
- Application and Essay.
As you fill out the application, you will be asked to upload your response to one (1) of the essays below. The ideas and feelings you express in your essay are an important part of the application process. We request that you limit your essay response to two typewritten pages, double-spaced. (DON’T OVERTHINK THIS. IT’S NOT A COLLEGE APP. WE ARE JUST TRYING TO GET TO KNOW YOU A LITTLE BETTER. THIS SHOULD TAKE YOU A FEW HOURS TO COMPLETE AT MOST).
Essay Options:
a. Describe the skills, attributes, characteristics and any relevant experiences you have had to date that form the foundation of your current leadership and/or show potential for strong leadership in the future. Identify one thing you need to improve on to increase your potential for strong leadership.
b. Describe a significant occasion or instance where you accomplished something you are very proud of. Why were you successful in that effort? What obstacles, if any, did you overcome? Also, describe an occasion or instance in your life when you failed to accomplish a significant project or task, or were dissatisfied with your results. Identify why you think things did not work out as you had planned or hoped, and what you might do differently if confronted with a similar project or situation.
2. References.
Two (2) references are required to complete your application. Your references can access the form through the link in the application.
Once completed, the Reference Form will be submitted directly to camp. We recommend that you follow up with your references to ensure that they complete the form promptly. Applications are not complete until camp receives both references. Feel free to contact our office to confirm receipt of your references.
Any person who knows you well and who can speak to your leadership potential, except family members, can serve as a reference. In the past, applicants have asked clergy, youth directors, teachers, camp staff, employers, mentors, etc.
Is everyone accepted into Avodah?
No. Avodah is an admission-by-acceptance program with limited space. Capacity for the program is approximately 40 participants. No applicants are guaranteed admission to the program. The number of previous summers spent at GUCI is not a factor. Participation in the Avodah program is not a pre-requisite for future employment at GUCI.
How much does Avodah cost?
For summer 2026, Avodah tuition is $7,650.00. Payment plans and need-based scholarships may be available by agreement with the Camp Director. There are a few payment schedules to choose from when registration takes place.