Director's Corner, Monday, June 22, 2026

Monday, June 22, 2026

Well, shake it up, baby, now (shake it up baby)
Twist and shout (twist and shout)
Come on, come on, come, come on, baby, now (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (work it on out)

We had a wonderful first day of Hobby Week 2! The sun was shining, and so were the smiles as I looked around Hobby Wheel Field before each hobby today. Hobby Wheel is one of my favorite parts of each day. It’s always filled with energy and excitement, and it gives friends and family members from different cabins a chance to connect, share a greeting, and catch up. We’re off to a fantastic start, and I can’t wait to see all the fun memories this week has in store.

Some of my biggest highlights of camp are the talent shows and lip sync battles. These programs create a space where campers can be exactly who they want to be. It’s incredible to watch children step out of their shells, take the stage, and give it their all, whether they’re singing, dancing, performing a skit, or putting on a show with their friends. The confidence, creativity, and joy that shine through during these performances are truly inspiring. Some campers discover talents they never knew they had, while others simply enjoy the chance to express themselves and have fun. No matter what, the crowd is always cheering them on, making it a celebration of individuality, courage, and community. 

Tonight, following Kesher’s lip sync battle last night, the Pios had an incredible lip sync battle. The energy was high, friendships were flowing, and everyone in the audience and on the stage was having fun. The ruach reminded me of what I saw at last night’s Makor Dress to Impress evening program. Campers used cardboard, tape, trash bags, and other creative materials to dress their counselors in the most unique ways possible. I can’t say that the costumes would have made it on the cover of Vogue, but the campers’ creativity definitely parallels that of high fashion designers!

Last night, Ramot kicked off our series of divisional talent shows, and Kesher followed tonight. There was so much incredible singing, dancing, comedy, and other talent at both shows, and I can’t wait to see what our upcoming Makor, all camp, and staff talent shows have in store! Some lyrics from an original Kesher act tonight stood out: Beber is the place to be / Beber is the place for me / This Jewish community / Is a huge part of me. 

While Kesher took center stage at their talent show, RamotChella chose between two evening programs tonight: Pass It Up and Jeopardy took place at the same time! RamotChella simultaneously rocked the runway with their fashion and rocked the Amphitheater with pure knowledge and skill. Did you know division leader Carly Colen can hula hoop with 17 hula hoops at a time?

Experiencing these programs is such a privilege, both because I love joining in on the fun, and because it’s important to me to check in on our campers. One of the things my team and I try very hard to do is to not wait until the end of the summer to find out how everyone is doing. Throughout the session, we regularly survey our campers about everything from their hobbies to their overall camp experience. The reason is simple: if there is something we can improve, we want to know while camp is still happening so we can make adjustments.

I spend a lot of time walking around camp, talking with campers, observing activities, and getting a feel for how things are going. While those conversations are incredibly important, there is something especially gratifying about seeing the data confirm what I am seeing with my own eyes. In our most recent surveys, nearly 98% of campers reported being satisfied with the food. We also learned that 91% of hobby placements over the past two weeks were campers' first-choice selections, and satisfaction with those activities remains extremely high.

The surveys are valuable not because they tell us everything is perfect, but because they help us identify opportunities to get better. Camp is always a work in progress, and the feedback our campers provide helps us make sure we are creating the best possible experience for every child.

Today’s meals were delicious as always. We started the morning with waffles, and for lunch we celebrated what I like to refer to as Hot Dog Festival, where our incredible kitchen team serves two types of hot dogs, regular dogs and franks in a blanket! Lunch also included veggie-packed Wisconsin State Fair-style “island noodles.” For dinner, we noshed on fantastic fettuccine alfredo and salmon. All of our meals also feature thoughtful, nutritious choices in our breakfast bars and salad bars! For breakfast, there are always options like yogurt and fruit, and for lunch and dinner, campers can choose from all sorts of protein and fiber packed options like chickpeas, salads, cottage cheese, and more.

Looking forward to another incredible day tomorrow!

Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael

Yesterday’s song was “The Circle Game” by Joni Mitchell. Congratulations to our correct answers:

• Becky Becker
• Carly Kaufman
• Jenny Cook
• Dana Saltzman

Can you name the artist behind the song “Twist and Shout?” Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow’s blog!