Director's Corner - Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Our Last Summer
I can still recall our last summer
I still see it all
In the tourist jam
Round the Notre Dame
Our last summer
Walking hand in hand
I can still recall our last summer
I still see it all
Walks along the Seine
Laughing in the rain
Our last summer
Memories that remain
It was an absolutely beautiful day here in Mukwonago! While it was pretty hot, we made sure campers and staff stayed well-hydrated, delivering water throughout the day. Everyone is settling into the routine, enjoying all the cabin activities, hobbies, and evening programs. Most importantly, campers are making great connections with each other.
Speaking of connections, that was the theme of the day as the entire camp participated in our Mishpacha program this evening! At Beber Camp, we believe in fostering a sense of community that extends beyond individual cabins. Our Mishpacha program, meaning "family" in Hebrew, is a cornerstone of this philosophy, designed to create meaningful connections among campers of different ages and promote a camp-wide sense of belonging and unity.
The Mishpacha program pairs younger campers with older ones, allowing them to form bonds that transcend their immediate peer groups. This structure provides younger campers with role models to look up to, fostering an environment where they feel supported and inspired. The older campers, in turn, gain valuable leadership experience and the joy of mentoring their younger peers. Our Teen Leadership Program truly embodies this mentorship, with the teens acting as the "Imas" (Mothers) and "Abbas" (Fathers) of each family, guiding the entire camp in an evening of fun. These relationships enrich the camp experience for everyone, helping to cultivate a nurturing and inclusive community.
Beyond the immediate benefits of friendship and support, the Mishpacha program builds on our Jewish value of Kehilah Kedosha (Sacred Community), stressing the importance of looking out for one another. The connections made often last far beyond the summer, creating a network of friendships that campers carry with them for years to come as they remain in their Mishpacha for most of their camp life.
Tonight's program was filled with engaging team-building activities and opportunities to get to know each other better, culminating in a heartwarming camp-wide song session. The Mishpacha program exemplifies our commitment to creating a camp environment that feels like a home away from home, where every camper is an essential part of our extended family.
As I guide you through your camper’s experience this summer by writing this blog, I will be referencing many aspects of our property that make it so special and unique to our family dynamic. To help you feel a part of the camp family and get a sense of where things are at camp, check out this map of camp.
Meals Today:
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, and a fruit and yogurt breakfast buffet.
- Lunch: Grilled cheese and tomato soup. We also had poke bowls at the salad bar!
- Dinner: Beef tacos, Spanish rice, refried beans, chips, salsa, and guacamole.
Speaking of food, let's talk about the Canteen! Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, campers get a special sweet treat. They choose one snack and one drink from a variety of options like Twizzlers, Gardettos, Veggie Straws, Hershey Bars, Gatorade, soda, and juice boxes. Our office team gathers each bunk's order, and counselors bring it back for rest hour. Campers then sit together, enjoying their Canteen goodies as a group, creating a special bunk bonding moment!
After lunch today, our Kesher and Ramot campers got to sign up for their exciting three-day trips! Using iPads, they rated their top three choices from a fantastic list of options, including fishing, canoeing, biking, climbing, fine arts, and outdoor sports adventure. And for our Senior Ramot campers, backpacking was also an option! Don't fret, we'll share a full description of each trip closer to their scheduled departure dates.
Our Pioneers, who unfortunately couldn't travel to Israel this summer, have been warmly welcomed back for Second Session with a truly exciting lineup of events! Today, they embarked on their three-day trips, kicking off what promises to be a fantastic second session for them.
Meanwhile, our CITs (Counselors-in-Training) are busy getting acclimated to their new roles. They're already getting a real taste of being bunk counselors by living directly with a cabin group, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Today is their second day interning at hobbies, diving deeper into the daily life of camp staff!
During General Activities (GA) today, I finally learned how to hula hoop for at least a minute! It was absolutely thrilling! The excitement on my face, along with the campers hula hooping right beside me, was definitely the highlight of my day.
We held a fire drill after GA this evening. It's really important to practice these drills and give campers a chance to ask any questions they have about our emergency plans. Safety is a top priority here at Beber. Our operations team spends a lot of time making sure we have solid plans for all situations and that our staff and campers have the resources they need to stay safe. A great deal of effort goes into this preparation, and we truly appreciate all their hard work. The campers did a fantastic job tonight! We were also visited by Chief Joe from the East Troy fire department and he told us that we did a great job of organizing during the fire drill. Well done Beber Campers and Staff!
Campers are really starting to get the hang of our daily routine! I had a chance to stop by Gymnastics during the third hobby, and they actually asked me to join in. I told them I wasn't sure I knew how to do gymnastics, and one camper's response was perfect: "I don't know either, but that’s why I’m doing this hobby—to try something new and learn." What a special moment that was, truly capturing the spirit of camp.
"Our Last Summer" reminds us, some memories stay with us long after the moment has passed. While we're just at the beginning of Second Session, every day here in Mukwonago is already filled with moments that will become cherished memories for your campers, just like the hula hooping thrill or the unity of our Mishpacha program. We're building not just a summer, but a collection of experiences and friendships that will remain long after the season ends. We can't wait to share more of these lasting moments with you!
P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that Billy Joel sang “You’re My Home."
- Mariana Buchman
- Michelle Wasserman
- Joshua Zadikoff
- Julie Houghton
- Emmy Berning
P.S. - Today’s question: Who sang “Our Last Summer?” Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!