Director's Corner, Friday, August 1, 2025

Friday, August 1, 2025

Valerie 

Well, sometimes I go out by myself
And I look across the water
And I think of all the things, what you're doin'
And in my head, I paint a picture

Since I've come on home
Well, my body's been a mess
And I've missed your ginger hair
And the way you like to dress
Won't you come on over?
Stop makin' a fool out of me
Why don't you come on over, Valerie?
Valerie, yeah
Valerie
Valerie

What a gorgeous day it's been at Beber Camp, a fantastic way to spend our final Friday of the session. This morning was especially heartwarming, with a wonderful gathering at the flagpole and the familiar, bustling energy of the dining hall. As we approach the end of the session, I already know how much I'll miss our campers.

This morning we also said a bittersweet goodbye to our CIT Bet group. I will truly miss them, but I'm already counting down the days until they're back on staff. They have grown so much and have shown so many impressive qualities. I know they've had a meaningful summer filled with lasting memories.

After their 3-day trips, campers were happy to jump back into their final round of hobbies today. It was wonderful to see everyone back at the hobby wheel, eagerly heading to their first activity of the day.

This week, we introduced some new hobbies, including puppet making, circus arts, and snorkeling. I'm so glad we can offer a wide variety of activities, giving campers endless options to explore their passions—whether for the first time or the tenth!

I'm especially looking forward to Sunday's performances and showcases. Our rock bands, dance groups, and movie makers will be performing, and we'll be displaying amazing art projects at the Beber Fine Arts Fest. It will be a proud moment for our campers to showcase their hard work and accomplishments. The waterfront was also bustling, with campers enjoying everything from windsurfing to fishing.

Meals today were a treat, from waffles and hot strawberry sauce to pizza and Caesar salad for lunch. Dinner brought us our traditional Shabbat feast with roasted chicken and homemade challah that was simply divine.

Tonight, we celebrated our final Friday night of the session with a beautiful Shabbat gathering. It was touching to see our campers dressed in their Shabbat best and taking photos together.

Our Jewish Life team led the prayer for the children, and campers stood in a circle, placing a hand on the head of a bunkmate—it was an incredible sight. The bonds forged over the past few weeks were truly palpable during our Shabbat Schmooze, where expressions of gratitude flowed freely among the bunks.

This week's Shabbat theme was "Leadership." During services, Ruchel shared a fantastic story about a clever raccoon to illustrate the theme.

In the story, all the animals in a forest faced a crisis when their water source dried up. The biggest and strongest animals tried to solve the problem on their own by building a ravine, but they failed. Then, a clever raccoon stepped forward and said, "I'll help if you trust me."

The other animals agreed, and the raccoon began to lead the effort. Instead of working alone, he asked for help and delegated tasks to the other animals. He explained, "I listened, planned, and asked for help when I needed it." Together, they successfully built a ravine that provided water for the entire forest.

The story’s message beautifully demonstrated that true leadership isn't just about strength; it's about listening, planning, and knowing when to ask for help and work with others. Well done, Ruchel (and Ruvene the Racoon)!

The community-based service created a welcoming environment, with campers acting as active participants and leaders. Afterward, we had an incredible Israeli Dance, playing all the most popular songs for one final session. We danced the night away and then moved into song sessions. The spirited singing filled the air with infectious energy as campers sang beloved songs like "Hinei Ma Tov" and the "Beber Boogie" with full hearts. Every camper is truly savoring every last moment here at camp.

As our campers head back to their cabins after a beautiful Shabbat, the bittersweet feeling of a session ending starts to settle in. It's in these quiet moments that we can't help but look back on the summer and think of all the memories we've made together. Just like the song "Valerie," which beautifully captures a feeling of longing and looking forward to seeing someone again, we'll carry the memories of this summer with us until we can be together again. The bonds, the laughter, and the growth we've witnessed are a testament to the magic of Beber Camp, and we'll be counting the days until we get to see all of you again.

Wishing everyone a restful night and a meaningful Shabbat alongside us.

P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that Sister Sledge sang "We Are Family”

• Julie Brodsky
• Ronit Ripes
• Jessica Fonoroff

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