Director's Corner - June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

Let’s Go Crazy

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life…

It’s the first full day of First Session, and Beber Camp is officially open for business. From the flagpole to the ski dock, the cheers, songs, and laughter made one thing clear: summer has truly arrived.

The energy today was contagious. Campers were exploring new hobbies, reconnecting with old friends, and settling into their cabins with growing confidence. Whether it was a camper learning how to light their first campfire at Outdoor Cooking or a bunk coming together for a group high-five after clean-up with help from Momma Sam, the joy was everywhere.

It may only be Day One, but the groundwork is already being laid for the kind of friendships and growth that last a lifetime.

Here’s a quick snapshot of how I played, what I saw, and what I overheard during my walk (and ride!) around camp today:

• Flag Football – I had a blast joining Makor on the field, running Madden-style plays and celebrating some serious touchdowns.
• Gymnastics – The gymnastics crew helped me “perfect” my cartwheel (emphasis on the quotes!). They even challenged me to try a backflip, but I gracefully declined.
• Woodworking – I watched campers carefully learn how to hammer a nail and start measuring out their materials for birdhouses. The focus and patience in that space were inspiring.
• Outdoor Cooking – The smell of the campfire alone was enough to pull me in. Campers were busy creating pizza bagels, and I may have stuck around long enough to snag a sample…
• Waterfront – On the lake, campers were learning paddle strokes for kayaking and getting an intro to the basics of sailing. The teamwork and excitement out there were just as refreshing as the breeze off the water.

It’s only the beginning, and already the energy, curiosity, and joy are everywhere.

Meals Today

• Breakfast: Waffles
• Lunch: Quesadillas
• Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Divisional Kickoff: Lights, Camera, Travel!

Our first divisional programs of the summer brought the energy, creativity, and connection we love to see, setting the stage for a session of fun, friendship, and camper growth.

Each division launched with a unique theme designed to bring cabins together, help campers meet new friends, and build relationships with every counselor in their age group. Here's a peek at what each division has been up to:

Makor: Makor World Tour
Makor is on tour—and they’re kicking it off in style! Each cabin became a band of international rock stars, creating oversized microphone mascots and crafting headset accessories out of pipe cleaners (with big plans to wear them for a lip sync battle later in the session!). Campers had a blast bringing their musical personas to life and showcasing their cabins' creativity and spirit. It’s safe to say: Makor is ready to rock.

Kesher: KeshAir Lines
Campers in Kesher boarded KeshAir Lines for a whirlwind global adventure. Through high-energy charades and interactive activities, they "traveled" to different countries, learning fun facts and celebrating the hometowns and cultures of their counselors. Each cabin also dreamed up its own travel destination and set meaningful goals for the summer. The night blended big laughs with big heart, reminding us that camp is the best place to stretch your wings and grow.

Ramot: Ramotion Pictures
The Ramot crew rolled out the red carpet with a Hollywood-themed night to remember! Cabins acted out iconic scenes from movies while others tried to guess the film, a game full of laughter, drama, and some very enthusiastic performances. They also faced off in Steal the Oscars (our very own movie-star twist on Capture the Flag) and tested their cinema smarts with a movie quote guessing game.

Our TLP campers—Pioneers (PIOs) and Counselors-in-Training (CITs)—launched into their summer journeys with meaningful and fun programs.

PIOs: Penny Drop & Reflection
PIO campers participated in Penny Drop, a thoughtful program led by their staff. Each camper held a penny and dropped it in response to prompts and personal statements, helping the group discover commonalities and build deeper understanding. Afterward, they took time to debrief and journal, setting intentions and goals for a summer of growth, leadership, and connection.

CITs: Welcome to CITropics
CITs dove into their first program of the summer, where the theme—CITropics—was revealed through a series of tropical-themed team challenges. Each challenge earned them a puzzle piece, and together they pieced together the big reveal. Along the way, they began to build the collaboration, creativity, and spirit that will define their summer as leaders-in-training.

Meet the Division Leadership Team – Summer 2025

Makor (Beginnings in Hebrew)

• Jolie Ring – K1, K2, O1, O2, O3
  Hi! I’m Jolie Ring from Vernon Hills, IL, and I’m thrilled to be back as a Makor Division Leader. This is my 12th summer at Beber and 4th year on staff. I study Psychology and Citizenship & Civic Engagement at Syracuse University and plan to work in Jewish nonprofit leadership. I’m passionate about creating a space where every camper feels seen, heard, and valued. You can reach me at jolie.ring@bebercamp.com.
• Sari Stinson – K3, K4, O4, O5
  Hi!! I’m Sari Stinson from Vernon Hills, IL, and this is my 14th summer at Beber! I just graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education, with a focus on reading and writing. I’m so excited to help our youngest campers grow and thrive. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at sari.stinson@bebercamp.com.

Kesher (Connection in Hebrew)

• Bradley Epstein – G1–G4, B1–B3
  Hi everyone! I’m Bradley Epstein from Deerfield, IL, and this is my 12th summer at Beber. I just graduated from Tulane University, where I studied Jewish Studies, Business, and Spanish. I’m moving to New York City this fall to work full-time for Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC). I can’t wait to help Kesher campers have a summer full of connection, discovery, and fun. You can reach me at bradley.epstein@bebercamp.com.

Ramot (The Heights in Hebrew)

• Sophie Golden – T1, T2, A1, A2
  I’m Sophie Golden, and I’m so excited to return to Ramot as a Division Leader! This is my 12th summer at Beber and 3rd year on staff. I’m from Buffalo Grove, IL, and an incoming junior at McGill University studying Sociology. I hope to become a social worker, and I love helping campers grow into their best selves. Reach me at sophie.golden@bebercamp.com.
• Sophie Heller – A3, T3–T6
  Hi! I’m Sophie Heller, and this is my 13th summer at camp. I’ve previously served as the PIO/CIT Leader and a Makor Division Leader—and I’m so happy to be back in Ramot! I’m from Highland Park, IL, and just graduated from University of Illinois with a degree in Elementary Education and ESL. Feel free to contact me at sophie.heller@bebercamp.com.

Teen Leadership Program (PIOs & CITs)

• Morgan Morris
  Hi Beber Camp! I’m Morgan Morris, and I’m honored to be back as your Teen Leadership Director. This is my 8th summer at Beber, and I just completed my Master’s in Social Work in Scotland. First session is all about our PIOs exploring leadership, identity, and community—both here at camp and through our trip to Israel. I’m here to support each teen through a summer of growth and impact. Reach out anytime at morgan@bebercamp.com.

P.S. Congratulations to the following who answered correctly in my last blog that The Beatles sang “Here Comes the Sun.”

• Andy Whitman
• Jessica Fonoroff
• Amy Bloomberg
• Stephanie Shaikun
• Dennis Blender
• David Saltzman
• Ava Aranyi
• Shayna Plankar

Can you name the artist behind “Let’s Go Crazy”? Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I’ll give a shoutout in the next post.

Camp is off and running—and if today’s any indication, we’re in for something truly special.

Here’s to a summer of possibility,‍

Michael