Director's Corner, Friday, July 3, 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026
We're the kids in America (Whoa)
We're the kids in America (Whoa)
Everybody live for the music-go-round
As another incredible week at camp nears its end, my heart is full of gratitude for the memories I know our campers have made this week. It has been a week filled with laughter, friendship, adventure, and so many moments that remind us what makes Beber such a special place.
Today was the perfect day to wrap up the week. After three days of Makor Mania and out-of-camp trips, everyone on camp was excited to be together again. I could feel it in the way friends reunited on Hobby Wheel Field, cabinmates pulled each other a little closer at Shabbat Schmooze during the blessing over the children, and laughs echoed over the lake all day.
Today was another incredible hobby day after three days away. It was a joy to feel the excitement buzzing as campers ran to check in at their hobbies and reunite with their friends. Everywhere I looked today, I saw huge, genuine smiles. Days like today are a great reminder for our campers and staff alike of how lucky we are to live in this place together, even if just for a few weeks.
I also had the chance to spend part of the day visiting our podcasting and ceramics hobbies. As I watched campers interview one another, laugh behind the microphones, and carefully shape clay into something uniquely their own, I found myself thinking about how important it is for children to have opportunities to create. In a world where so much time is spent consuming content, camp gives our campers the chance to become creators. They tell stories. They make art. They imagine, experiment, and discover talents they may not have known they had. Those are skills and memories that will stay with them long after the summer ends.
As the sun began to set over Lake Beulah, we gathered together as one camp family to welcome Shabbat. Our cherished Shabbat Schmooze tradition on Hobby Wheel Field gave friends, siblings, cousins, and cabinmates a chance to reconnect, share stories, and reflect on the wonderful week we've experienced together.
Following a comforting Shabbat dinner featuring chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and our always-popular salad bar, campers and staff made their way to the Amphitheater for Friday evening services. These meaningful services allowed us to slow down, appreciate the incredible community we've built, and celebrate the values that make Beber Camp so special.
This week's Shabbat theme was Leadership, and our services tonight invited campers to reflect on the many ways they demonstrate leadership every day. At Beber Camp, leadership isn't just about standing at the front of a group; it's about welcoming a new cabinmate, cheering on friends during the talent show, inviting someone new to join a hobby, and setting a positive example through kindness and inclusion. Our campers continue to show that everyone has the ability to lead, and I am so proud of the compassion, confidence, and character they bring to our camp community each day.
We are beginning to celebrate not only Shabbat tonight, but also the 4th of July! There has been an extra feeling of excitement around camp this evening. Many campers and staff embraced the holiday by wearing their nicest Shabbat clothes in festive red, white, and blue. After Israeli dancing and song session tonight, all of camp headed down to the waterfront to watch fireworks over the lake. It was a wonderful way to celebrate both the upcoming holiday and the beauty of Shabbat, with patriotic colors adding even more joy to an already special evening.
I am so thankful for an amazing week and for everyone who makes Beber such a welcoming home away from home. As we enter into Shabbat and look forward to celebrating the 4th of July tomorrow, I wish all of our Beber families a peaceful, restful, meaningful, and joyful weekend.
Shabbat Shalom,
Michael
Yesterday's song was "Reunited" by Peaches & Herb. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any winners.
Can you name the artist behind “Kids in America?” Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.