Dear GUCI Families and Friends,
 
I have just returned from the theatre!  Anaf put on an incredible production of Mulan!
 
The whole unit has been working so hard all session on the show, costumes, props, scenery and much more!
 
The cast was incredible, the music beautiful, and the whole camp participated with a costume contest. 
 
We are all so proud of the Anaf campers and staff.
 
The temperature here has cooled a bit and we are welcoming a few rain drops right now....off to bed!
 
Leilah Tov!
 
-Ru ;)

 

Dear G.U.C.I. Parents:

PLEASE NOTE: 
 
Pick up will be at camp from 9 AM to 11 AM on Sunday morning (August 8th).  Please come directly to camp to get your child and his/her belongings.  If anyone other than the child's parents/guardians is picking a camper up, please call the Parent Liaison at the camp office (317-873-3361) AND fax the information in writing to camp 317-873-3742. On your way out on Sunday, be sure to check our lost and found by the office and Shuk (bazaar of GUCI merchandise). 
 
As I indicated in last week’s newsletter, all campers and staff returned to camp from their various trips and we had an incredible Shabbat.  T’fillot (worship services), Shabbat dinner blessings, and singing never were so sweet.   Now we have sped into the final week of the session.  It is always a whirlwind here as we build toward culmination.  The end of the session is super important; final programs and ceremonies neatly “tie up the package,” of the session.  Cabin bonds are very strong here.  The last night of camp is the time for Unit final programs and final cabin programs, as well as an all-camp friendship circle. 

It has been a wonderful session.  All aspects of the camp program, the work of the counselors, and specialists programs have been wonderful.  The only negative we faced this session came in the form of a virus.  You may have been contacted by our infirmary staff notifying you that your child spent the night or several nights in the infirmary. Special thanks go out to our nurse and doctors who have worked tirelessly to attend to those who had fevers. 
Last night we attended an amazing performance of Anaf Project.  The Anaf unit (our 9th and 10th graders) worked all session preparing the show, “Mulan”.  It was both opening and closing night for Anaf Project.  What an exciting night it was for the entire camp. The music was great, the acting wonderful, and the spirit in the room, palpable.    Thursday morning the unit traveled to Hooverwood, our Jewish nursing home to perform for the residents.  
 
Tonight all of our performing Chugim (arts groups) will present samples of their work on stage before the entire camp.  We will see Shoresh (4th – 6th graders), Gezah (7th and 8th graders), Anaf (9th and 10th graders) and Avodah (12th graders) sing, dance, act, play guitar, etc.  This is an exciting evening for everyone, those who are onstage performing and the rest of us who make up the audience. 
 
The 4th Shabbat is always mega at camp.  Saturday afternoon is spent packing.  All staff returns to the cabins with their campers to help them pack.  Campers check out lost and found to see if any of their things are there.  Later in the afternoon we have basketball tournaments, swimming, and softball games.  Song session Saturday evening is “Top 10 G.U.C.I. songs of the session.”  It is followed by final unit programs. 

The evening ends with a final Havdalah service prepared by our Avodah unit, and then an exciting slide show that recaps the highlights of the month.  We conclude the all- camp-program with a friendship circle.  The friendship circle is a quiet (sometimes a little emotional) time where a few of us share our thoughts about the session, punctuated by songs.  It is usually a mellow and moving experience even for the younger campers. 
 
Campers return to their cabins with their counselors for their final cabin program which usually includes some autograph signing and perhaps an art project.  This is an important time for the group which has lived and worked together all session. 
 
That’s it in a nutshell.  Expect your child to be happy to see you and return home, but also to be a little sad to leave camp.  It has been a wonderful session.
 
Shabbat Shalom,
 
Rabbi Ron Klotz

 
Dear GUCI Families and Friends,
 
Another fun and hot day here at camp!  I spent the afternoon in the pool and enjoyed sliding, diving and relaxing.
 
This session I have had the opportunity to do some special programs that I want to tell you about!
 
The first is climbing the MIGDAL!!!!!!!!!!!
It was so much fun.  I joined a cabin for their migdal adventure.  They started out with some initiatives and then divided into groups to climb.  Everyone cheered everyone else on and the migdal staff helped everyone to reach their goal.  It was incredible to watch my friends as they scurried up and were hoisted down.  My helmet made my head sweat a lot but I was safe all over and had so much fun!
 
I also got to go canoeing! 
I went with a cabin as they boarded the bus and went to Eagle Creek (a lake near by).  We cooked out lunch and then carried our canoes to the water.  The canoeing staff taught us how to paddle, stroke and stop.  They taught us what to do if we were to tip over and made sure our lifevests were secure (and we had on sunscreen).  We divided into canoes and took off across the lake.  We got to take a break half way through and wade in a shallow cove.  My arms were tired when I got back, but it was tons of fun!
 
This week each unit had another bunk night.  Bunk night is a special night that each cabin cooks out dinner and has a fun program planned by their counselors.  Last night cabin 18 got to meet a K-9 Police Dog and his handler.  Tonight cabin 14 got to meet the fire department, try on their clothing and spray the hose (man that thing is heavy!!).  I can't wait to see what tomorrow night brings!
 
Off to shower and bed!
 
Leilah Tov!
 
-Ru ;)

 

Dear GUCI Families and Friends,

 

Hello from Camp!  It's hot here but we are making sure to stay extra hydrated!

 

I want to tell you about a special program that I got to participate in throughout the session. 

 

Here at camp we learn and practice Tikun Olam, the act of repairing the world.  We clean up trash, we turn out lights, turn off water and anything else we can imagine! 

 

This session, each unit participated in a special unit Tikun Olam Project.

 

Shoresh (rising 4th, 5th and 6th graders) went to a local park to clean, weed, paint and fix it up!  We had a great time!  All the kids were eager to jump right in and participated with smiles.

 

Gezah (rising 7th and 8th graders) are building a small beit tefillah here on camp.  We are working with Rabbi Jon Adland and learning all about carpentry and landscaping.

 

Anaf (rising 9th and 10th graders) will be going to Hooverwood, the local Jewish retirement home, on Thursday morning to perform Project (more on that tomorrow night!).  We will also be visiting with the residents.  I am excited to travel with them.

I have learned so much about simple ways to repair the world!

 

Off to evening program!

 

-Ru ;)