Director's Corner, Saturday, August 1, 2026
Saturday, August 1, 2026
So I say thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance, what are we?
So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me
As the summer comes to a close, it's only fitting that our final Shabbat together centers on one simple but powerful idea: gratitude.
Several years ago, I read a book called The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. One of the ideas that has stayed with me is surprisingly simple. He suggests taking just a few minutes each day to write down three things you're grateful for. Research has shown that this small habit can actually change the way our brains work. Instead of constantly searching for what's wrong or what's missing, we begin noticing what's good, what's meaningful, and what's already right in front of us.
Camp is the perfect place to practice that mindset. Every day offers countless reasons to be grateful: the friend who you had a conversation with on the Blue Swing, the counselor who believed in you, the thrill of trying something new, the laughter in the cabin before lights out, the beauty of seeing a bald eagle fly over Lake Beulah, or simply another day spent surrounded by people who care about you.
As we celebrate our final Shabbat together, I hope we all take a moment to think about our own three things. My guess is that for many of us, Beber, and the people who make this place so special, will be somewhere on that list.
Despite a drizzly start to today, spirits stayed high as we made a few adjustments and enjoyed a wonderful Shabbat together. Instead of our usual rolling Island breakfast, we pivoted indoors and gathered in the dining hall for a cozy rolling breakfast that kept everyone warm and dry.
After breakfast, campers played at morning GA, which also took place in indoor spaces around camp while the rain passed through. Cabinmates then joined together for their daily cabin cleanup before coming together in Crown Hall for Shabbat services. Today’s services were relaxing and reflective, a perfect end to our summer’s Shabbat services.
Following services, campers participated in Mikud, one of our favorite Saturday traditions. During this special time, each cabin gathers to reflect on the week's theme, discussing how it connects to their experiences at camp and how they can carry those lessons with them beyond Beber. These conversations are a highlight of Shabbat each week, as campers get to spend meaningful, calm time with their cabinmates.
Lunch today featured delicious deli sandwiches before everyone settled in for a cozy rest hour. During rest hour, I had the chance to enjoy a spa day with O4! It was a very fun and refreshing way to recharge for the rest of a wonderful Shabbat.
To kick off the afternoon, campers met with their Mishpachot for their final Mishpacha program of the summer. Each camper wrote kind words and compliments for every member of their group on clothespins, which were then attached to their shirts as lasting reminders of how much they mean to one another. It was a heartfelt way to wrap up the session, celebrating friendship, gratitude, and the strong bonds that have formed over the summer.
The afternoon continued with our Shabbat divisional rotations, featuring Beber trivia, bingo, and plenty of other fun games. Campers also participated in a special Shabbat-themed gratitude activity, writing thoughtful notes to our incredible kitchen staff to thank them for keeping us well-fed with so many delicious meals throughout the summer. It was a meaningful opportunity to recognize the people who work so hard behind the scenes to make camp such a special place.
After the rotations came shower hour, degel, and a tasty dinner of baked ziti. By then, the skies had cleared, allowing campers to play outdoors after dinner for evening GA!
Our campers who participated in this session’s baseball all-star league were treated to a special dinner at Upper Camp today to celebrate all of their hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The evening was filled with great food, lots of laughter, and plenty of memories as campers gathered together in their green and blue team shirts. They also took lots of fun photos to remember an exciting session on the field and the friendships they built along the way. It was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable all-star experience!
We ended the evening together with the entire camp community in Crown Hall for Havdalah, where we sang, reflected, and celebrated another incredible week at camp. A huge congratulations to K3 for being named our all-camp cabin cleanup champions! I am so proud of their hard work and dedication.
We also enjoyed watching a special compilation created by our amazing photography team, featuring smiling faces and unforgettable moments from Makor Mania and this week's 3-day trips. It was the perfect way to reflect on all the fun, adventure, and memories we've made together.
Tonight was especially meaningful as it was our final Havdalah of the summer, as hard as that is for me to believe! While it's hard to fathom that the session is winding down, I’m grateful for every memory our campers have made together this summer, and I know this coming week will be full of more of them.
Shavua Tov,
Michael
Yesterday's song was "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison. Congratulations to our correct answers:
- Barri Bate
- Barbara Cohen
- Amy Bloomberg
- Brian Berns
Can you name the artist behind "Thank You for the Music?" Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.