Director's Corner, Friday, July 31, 2026
Friday, July 31, 2026
Hey, where did we go?
Days when the rains came
Down in the hollow
Playin' a new game
Laughin' and a-runnin', hey, hey
Skippin' and a-jumpin'
In the misty morning fog with
Our, our hearts a-thumping and you
My brown-eyed girl
And you, my brown-eyed girl
One of my favorite sounds at camp isn't a song, a cheer, or even the roar of the dining hall after a surprise announcement. It's laughter.
Real, contagious, can't-catch-your-breath laughter. The kind that starts with one camper, spreads across a cabin, and somehow pulls everyone else in. It happens during a talent show skit, a cabin bonding moment during an evening closing, a sailboat that capsizes, or a counselor who isn't afraid to look a little ridiculous just to make a camper smile.
As we head into our final Shabbat together, I'm especially grateful for the joy that fills this place. Joy has a way of bringing people together, helping us through challenges, and reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously. In a world that often feels rushed and heavy, camp gives our campers the chance to simply laugh, be present, and experience the kind of happiness that can only come from being surrounded by people who care about one another.
Today was filled with plenty of those moments, and I'll do my best to tell the story of how that joy came to life across camp.
Today was a special day at Beber as, for the first time in three days, everyone was back together at camp! After returning from 3-day trips and wrapping up the excitement of Makor Mania, campers and staff came back well-rested, recharged, and ready to dive into the final hobby week of the summer.
We all savored a delicious waffle breakfast this morning, followed by a wonderful day of hobbies. Although we experienced a bit of rain throughout the day, it didn't slow us down one bit. Every hobby ran as scheduled, and campers made the most of their time learning new skills, creating, playing, and enjoying their favorite activities. For lunch, we ate delicious pizza, which our kitchen staff creatively made into not only regular slices, but into rolls (think cinnamon rolls but savory, saucy, and cheesy!)!
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As the drizzle continued into the evening, we embraced the cozy weather by moving our Shabbat evening programming indoors. We gathered in Crown Hall for Shabbat Schmooze, giving everyone a chance to connect and unwind before heading to the dining hall for a delicious Shabbat dinner of chicken, broccoli, and mashed potatoes, as well as challah and grape juice, of course! Afterwards, we returned to Crown Hall for services and a spirited song session, filling the room with music, warmth, and community.
What really stood out to me during song session tonight were the huge smiles on our campers' faces. There was something special about everyone being together again after a few days apart. Music has always held a special place in my heart, and tonight I even had the chance to join the Beber Band on guitar and sing "Brown Eyed Girl." As I looked around the room, it felt like that same joy was shared by everyone. Crown Hall was filled with joyful singing, laughter, and the kind of energy that reminds us just how meaningful our camp community is. It was a beautiful way to welcome Shabbat and celebrate being back together.
Sometimes a rainy day creates the perfect atmosphere, and tonight was exactly that. Spending Shabbat together indoors made for a warm, meaningful, and memorable start to the weekend. I’m excited for all that's ahead as we begin our final full hobby week of an incredible summer at Beber Camp!
Shabbat Shalom,
Michael
Yesterday's song was "Roar" by Katy Perry. Congratulations to our correct answers:
- Barri Bate
- Nicole Jamison-Dinowitz
- Samantha Fishbein
- Josie Suser
- Lillie Burkons
- Abby Taylor
- Paul Sexton
Can you name the artist behind "Brown Eyed Girl?" Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.