Director's Corner - Monday, July 14, 2025

Monday, July 14, 2025

You’re my home

If I travel all my life
And I never get to stop and settle down
Long as I have you by my side
And there's a roof above and good walls all around
You're my castle, you're my cabin, and my instant pleasure dome
I need you in my house 'cause you're my home
You're my home
You're my home

Wow, what an absolutely incredible first full day here at Beber Summer 2025 - Second Session! It's Monday night, and the camp is still buzzing from a day packed with abundant sunshine and an array of brand-new activities! My favorite part was watching our campers practically sprint to their hobby stations, eyes sparkling with anticipation, just waiting for the fun to begin. And yes, we made sure everyone got the lowdown on safety and all the important guidelines right at the start of each hobby – because camp activities are always best when they're safe ones!

Our Ramot campers had their first cabin activity focused on the B'rit Kehilah. This Hebrew phrase translates to Covenant of Community, and it's a shared promise we all make here at Beber. Essentially, it means we commit to thinking of other campers, understanding their feelings, and figuring out how we can best support each other. We strive to treat everyone with kindness, respect, and fairness. By following these principles, we maintain our "Beber Bubble," creating a safe and welcoming space where everyone truly belongs. As part of this activity, cabins discussed how to recognize and respond to bullying situations and signed an anti-bullying contract.

At Beber, every single day is brimming with chances to challenge our skills, strengthen bonds with bunkmates, and connect with our camp community – all while having an absolute blast! In the upcoming Director's Corners, I'll dive deeper into our daily schedule and explain the thoughtful reasons behind its structure.

Today was all about getting started and exploring everything Beber has to offer! Here's a look at some of today's hobby highlights:

Gaga Pit: Campers had a blast in the new gaga pit, enjoying the sun as they played. A big thanks to Chuck for his generous donation to make this possible.
Aqua Park: Kids loved the new Aqua Park pieces, running through the obstacle course as many times as they could during their hobby time.
Newspaper: This group is beginning research for their newspaper, planning out crossword puzzles, games, and interviews.
Indoor Cooking: On their first day, campers made Israeli salad and pita bread from scratch. Some even tried to shape their pita bread like their favorite countries!
Challenge Course: Even with the warm weather, our campers bravely climbed over 20 feet in the air!
Gymnastics: I stopped by the Gymnastics hobby today and even managed to perfect my cartwheel!

Meals:

Breakfast: Waffles with a toppings bar, including strawberries and whipped cream, plus a breakfast bar with yogurt, fruit, granola, cottage cheese, and various juices.
Lunch: Cheese quesadillas, Spanish rice, toppings, and a salad bar.
Dinner: Spaghetti with meatballs, vegetables, and garlic bread.

Tonight, each division held their unique opening programs:

Makor: Their summer theme is "Makor on Shore." Campers wrote messages in a bottle to themselves, detailing their values for camp, which they'll open at the end of the session.
Kesher: For their "Keshertoon Network" theme, campers were assigned different shows and acted out how they envision their summer unfolding.
Ramot: Following their "Ramot Restaurants" theme, campers designed menus and chef hats to represent the goals and memories they hope to create this summer.

Our Pios and CITs both had a fantastic day! The Pios took on exciting activities, including the famous "20 Seconds of Courage" challenge. Meanwhile, our CITs dove into their program with interning debriefs and ice breakers, getting to know each other and their roles.

Meet the Division Leadership Team – Summer 2025

Makor (Beginnings in Hebrew)

Jolie Ring – K1, K4, 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 – K2, K3, 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. I’m here to support each teen through a summer of growth and impact. Reach out anytime at morgan@bebercamp.com.

"If I travel all my life, and I never get to stop and settle down... long as I have you by my side... you're my home." This sentiment perfectly captures the spirit we're already feeling here at Beber. After just one full day, with all the laughter, the learning, the new friendships forming, and the shared commitment to our community, it's clear that Beber isn't just a place – it's truly a home away from home.

Here’s to a fantastic day at Beber Camp. Stay tuned for more updates!

Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael

P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that Ben Rector sang "Ben Rector"

Oh no! No one guessed it. C’mon parents, I know it is a challenge by choice but I’d love your participation! :)

P.S. - Today’s question: Who sang “You’re My Home?” Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!