Director's Corner, Monday, July 13, 2026

Monday, July 13, 2026

If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me

One of the things I have been thinking about a lot these past few days is something I call the art of belonging. Every camper arrives at Beber hoping for many things: fun, adventure, new experiences, and more. But underneath it all is a much simpler hope: to feel like they belong.

The beautiful thing is that belonging rarely happens by accident. It is something our counselors work incredibly hard to create, often in ways that campers don't even realize. They intentionally invite someone to join an activity instead of letting them watch from the sidelines. They make sure a camper has someone to sit with at meals. They encourage friendships between campers who might never have met otherwise. They celebrate small victories, remember favorite hobbies, ask thoughtful questions, and notice when someone seems a little quieter than usual. These moments may seem small, but together they build something incredibly meaningful.

As I walked around camp throughout First Session, I watched these moments happen over and over again, and I'm confident they will happen again this session. I see counselors introducing campers to one another before a hobby begins. I hear them cheering just as loudly for the camper trying something for the first time as they do for the camper who already excels. I watch cabins slowly transform from groups of individuals into communities that laugh together, encourage one another, and genuinely care about each other.

Belonging doesn't mean every camper has found their best friend yet. Sometimes that takes a little time. But our goal is that every camper knows they are seen, valued, and an important part of this community from the very beginning. When campers feel like they belong, they become more willing to take healthy risks, try new activities, build confidence, and create the kinds of friendships that often last long after the summer ends. In many ways, helping every camper find their place, and experience the art of belonging, may be the most important thing we do at Beber.

This morning, we kicked off Second Session 2026 with our first morning flagpoles! Our Makor and Kesher cabins gathered for degel (Hebrew for flagpole) and breakfast at 8am, while our older Ramot campers slept in for a 9am degel. Today, campers from all divisions enjoyed waffles and a build-your-own acai bowl bar for breakfast!

Today was our first day of hobbies, and as I walked around camp, I found myself smiling just as much as the campers were. There is something special about watching a child step into a new activity for the first time: sometimes with excitement, sometimes with a little hesitation, but always with the opportunity to deepen their sense of belonging at Beber. By the end of the day, those hesitant faces had turned into laughter, conversations, and a feeling of pride that only comes from trying something new.

Days like today are a reminder that hobbies at camp are about so much more than the activities themselves. They create spaces where campers find their people, build confidence, and realize they belong exactly as they are. Watching those connections form and seeing campers encourage one another is one of the greatest joys of camp, and today it made me excited for all that this summer still has in store.

Our kitchen kept everyone fueled for a full camp afternoon with delicious meals and plenty of choices! Campers enjoyed cheesy quesadillas for lunch and a classic spaghetti and meatballs dinner, with our salad bar available at both meals, offering a variety of fresh options for everyone to enjoy. Sharing meals together is an important part of camp life, giving campers another chance to connect with friends, try new foods, and recharge before heading off to their next adventure.

As the day came to a close, our evening programs offered the perfect way to slow down, have fun, and simply enjoy being together. Below is a bit more information about each division’s theme this session and their evening programs tonight:

• Lights, Camera, Makor! Makor kicked off the session with an evening full of laughter, teamwork, and excitement during their game show evening program. Cabins worked together to solve a variety of fun challenges, from decoding emoji clues in "Guess That Movie" to identifying favorite tunes in "Guess That Song" and recognizing beloved characters in "Guess That Disney Sidekick." Our brand-new projector screen in Crown Hall helped bring each round to life, and the room was filled with cheers as campers encouraged one another and celebrated every correct answer. As the evening came to a close, Makor left with more than just memories of a fun evening program; they left with a growing sense of belonging that will continue to make this summer the best it can be.
• Kesher Carnival! Kesher began off what’s bound to be an amazing summer with an exciting, carnival-themed evening program tonight. Campers rotated between a riveting game of Carnival Jeopardy in the Amphitheater with just the right amount of challenge, and carnival games on Hobby Wheel Field. From testing their skills by "shaving" balloons with plastic razors and seeing who could hula hoop the longest to enjoying lawn games and taking on the time-honored challenge of digging through a plate of whipped cream to find a piece of bubblegum and be the first to blow a bubble, there was something that brought smiles to every camper's face. The energy throughout lower camp was contagious, as campers laughed, cheered each other on with each correct Jeopardy answer and carnival game win, and began building the friendships and connections that will make this summer so memorable.

• Ramot University! Ramot pulled out all the stops at “Orientation” tonight! Campers signed up for “classes” (future evening programs) through an exciting tournament of rock, paper, scissors. They made student IDs in Arts & Crafts, got to know each other at “Orientation” games, and even founded their own clubs! The evening was filled with creativity, laughter, and connection as campers stepped into their new roles as Ramot University “students” and began creating a community where everyone has a place where they belong.

As I walked around camp tonight, I was struck by how quickly simple games became opportunities for connection. Campers celebrated one another's victories, laughed through the messy moments, and encouraged friends to keep trying. Those shared experiences are what make camp so special. They remind us that belonging isn't built during one big moment—it grows through countless small ones, when campers feel comfortable enough to laugh together, support one another, and know they are an important part of their cabin and our camp community.

Before heading to bed tonight, I was reminded once again that belonging looks a little different for everyone. During rest hour, I stopped by G2 and was invited to join an impromptu spa day. I don't know that I've ever had quite so many face creams and lotions applied at one time, but the laughter was worth every second. Later in the evening, I found myself sitting with a group of Senior Ramot boys talking about the future of Beber, sharing ideas, asking questions, and dreaming about what camp can become. Those two moments couldn't have been more different, yet they were connected by the same feeling. Whether you're relaxing with cabinmates during a spa day or imagining the future of camp together under the stars, those are the moments when belonging comes to life. They remind me that every camper finds their place in their own unique way, and that's exactly what makes this community so special.

As our first full day of Second Session comes to a close, I am feeling grateful for our camp community and all of the campers, counselors, families, and behind-the-scenes helpers that make Beber what it is. Thank you for an incredible first day, and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store.

Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael

Yesterday’s song was "You’ve Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman. Congratulations to our correct answers:

• Shana Sexton
• Kevin Friduss
• Barri Bate
• David Daniels
• Amy Bloomberg
• Stacy Levy
• Naomi Kurland
• Brian Berns

Can you name the artist behind “You Belong With Me?” Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow’s blog.