Director's Corner - Sunday, July 13, 2025
July 13 - First day of Second Session!
Brand New
Like when I close my eyes
And don't even care if anyone sees me dancing
Like I can fly
And I don't even think I'm touching the ground
Like a heartbeat skip
Like an open page
Like a one-way trip on an aeroplane
It's the way that I feel when I'm with you
Brand new
What a beautiful start to our second session of 2025! The sun is shining, and there's an incredible buzz of energy and joy as campers return to their home away from home. After months of careful planning and an amazing first session, it's truly indescribable to hear the laughter and see the happiness on everyone's faces once more. The camp is alive again, buzzing with excitement and life! For our returning campers, it's a joyful reunion, and for our newcomers, a thrilling adventure begins…
As we dive into the Second Session, we want to give a massive thank you to our incredible staff! Their unwavering energy and enthusiasm have been absolutely contagious, setting the perfect tone for our new campers. It's truly inspiring to see how seamlessly they’ve carried the vibrant spirit from First Session right into welcoming our new arrivals.
What an absolutely ideal beginning to our second session here in Mukwonago! The weather couldn't have been more perfect – not too hot, not too cold, with the sun beautifully peaking through the clouds, shedding light on all the excitement. It was a fantastic way to kick things off, with campers jumping right into fun with lively games of Mafia, 9-Square in the Air, frisbee, and Hodgy Podgy, Hodgy Podgy, Hodgy Podgy, Go!
Beyond the games, our new campers smoothly settled in, getting fitted for life jackets, signing up for exciting hobbies, meeting our friendly Health Center staff, and getting oriented in the dining hall. Every moment was packed, setting the stage for what's sure to be an unforgettable session!
Our early arrivals kicked off the session with a fantastic BBQ lunch right on the island! Dinner was a huge hit too, featuring everyone's favorites: chicken nuggets, French fries, and mixed vegetables. As always, we had plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options available, along with a fresh salad bar, and to top it all off, refreshing frozen ices for dessert!
There's truly nothing quite like the first flagpole of a new session – it's simply the best feeling in the world! Seeing all the kids form a huge circle around the flag is an unforgettable sight. With multiple staff on microphones, getting the whole camp to sing in unison to "Tucked Away" creates such a powerful moment. Just looking around that massive circle, watching everyone locked in hands and intertwined, finally together again, was absolutely amazing. And, of course, no flagpole would be complete without Julia Bessen and I doing cartwheels all around the circle – a perfect touch of camp magic!
Speaking of our fantastic staff, we've got something special for you! Click here to read a little blurb about your camper’s counselors.
After our opening ceremony, campers spent some time discussing how to best live together in a community before winding down and getting ready for bed.
Our deepest wish for every camper is that they'll embrace new experiences, uncover hidden passions, and forge friendships that last a lifetime. We can't wait to share all their incredible stories with you!
I'll be updating this blog every night, with new posts typically live on our website by 10 AM daily. You'll also get a handy push notification with a link to the blog via the Campanion App, which is also your go-to spot for photos from the previous day's adventures.
And as I walked around camp today—seeing kids playing, singing, reuniting, and stepping into something entirely new—it hit me: this is what brand new feels like.
Like when you close your eyes and don’t even care if anyone sees you dancing.
Like you can fly, and don’t even think you’re touching the ground.
Like a one-way trip on an airplane or the very first page of a new chapter.
There’s just something about this place, this moment, and this community that makes us all feel Brand New.
Here’s to the journey ahead.
Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael
P.S. - I love trivia, especially music trivia. Today’s question: Who sang Brand New? Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!
We ended first session with the song “These Are Days,” by 10,000 Maniacs. Congratulations to
- Andy Whitman
P.S.S - Here’s the lyrics to our flag lowering songs
Tucked away above Lake Beulah likes 3BC
Campers, counselors all a part of one family (family!)
Making friends both old and new, Lasting friendships ever true
For each day and night together we’ll always be (always be!)
Full of love and warmth and friendship at 3BC (3BC!)
(Clapping) Unity, unity, 3BC has unity
Together all day, together all night, 3BC is outta sight
Unity, unity, 3BC has unity
Together all day, together all night, 3BC is outta sight
(Arms around each other) Friends, friends, friends, we are friends
We will always be.
Whether in fair or in dark stormy weather, B’nai B’rith will keep us together
the white and blue (white and blue)
We will all be true. Love will pervade us ‘til death separate us
We’re F-R-I-E-N-D-S da da da da da