Meet Our Camp Director: Chris Guda

Chris Guda

Hi, my name is Chris Guda and I am the Site Director for ESF at The Haverford School. 2024 will mark my 21st summer with ESF! I grew up in New Canaan, CT, and have always been involved in summer camps, attending both traditional and sports camps throughout my childhood and working at day camps since the age of 14. I began working for ESF in the summer of 2004 in Greenwich, CT, as the Senior Camp Sports Specialist and went on to serve as the Senior Camp Director and then Assistant Site Director. I made the move to Pennsylvania to join ESF’s Executive Team in September 2013 and am currently the Director of Learning, Development, and Experience. I have also been the Site Director for ESF at Montgomery School from 2014 to 2017 and Site Director for ESF in Chestnut Hill from 2018 to 2021. 

I graduated from Miami University (OH) with a bachelor’s degree in History and a minor in Coaching. In addition to summer camps, I have worked with children in many different capacities; I have been a coach for youth soccer and baseball, a soccer referee, and I designed and ran youth programming for 3rd-12th graders at a church in CT for nine years. Outside of camp I am happily married to my amazing wife Kiki, and we welcomed our first child, and future ESF camper to the world in October 2021. 

What do you love about working at ESF?

The passionate and amazing people I get to work with every day. 

What is your favorite camp tradition?

Wacky Wednesday! 

What is an ESF fun fact about you?

I once went scuba diving in the campus pond for and ESF camp event.

What is the most unique/interesting job you have had outside of ESF?

Server for a catering company.

What is your favorite quote?

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Ghandi

What is one of your guilty pleasures?

I love playing video games

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation