Director's Corner, Saturday, June 20, 2026

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

Wow! It’s hard to believe that this Shabbat marks nearly one week of camp over! What an incredible week it has been, filled with laughter, friendship, and unforgettable experiences. Campers have jumped into hobbies with enthusiasm, from the waterfront to the challenge course to everywhere in between. New friendships have been formed, old friendships have grown stronger, and every day has brought new opportunities for fun and personal growth. The energy, leadership, and kindness shown by our campers and staff have made this first week truly special, and I am so grateful for all the memories we have already created together.

This morning began with Trudy and a group of enthusiastic campers birding around camp. I am so appreciative of all the ways our Beber team goes above and beyond to work in fun, unique opportunities for campers whenever possible, and Trudy’s Saturday morning birding is a wonderful example of that.

The morning continued with a fantastic breakfast on the island. Saturday mornings at camp have a special atmosphere, as campers of all ages gather by the lake, enjoying the sunshine and connecting with friends as the day begins. After breakfast, campers participated in morning GA, choosing from a wide range of activities, including spending time with friends, playing sports, and joining games with campers across different age groups. As a camp, we then came together for Shabbat services, sharing in song, reflection, and celebration of the experiences we've had so far and the memories still to come. The morning wrapped up with mikud, a dedicated time for each cabin to slow down, connect, and strengthen relationships with their bunkmates and counselors.

Later in the day, following a deli-style sandwich lunch and a relaxing menucha (rest hour), I spent some time at free swim with Makor, and it was one of those moments that captures the spirit of camp so well. The pool area was full of energy as campers splashed, swam, laughed, and simply enjoyed being together on a beautiful summer day. What stood out to me most, though, was watching the interactions between campers and counselors. Counselors were in the water, cheering kids on, joining games, and sharing in the fun rather than watching from the sidelines. Those relationships are at the heart of what makes camp special. Free swim may look like simple fun from a distance, but it is also where trust is built, confidence grows, and memories are made one conversation, one game, and one laugh at a time.

One of the highlights of each Saturday at camp is participating in meaningful Jewish activity rotations with both their cabins and mishpachot, giving campers the opportunity to explore Jewish values, traditions, and identity in engaging and creative ways. Through hands-on activities, discussions, pool games, and team-building experiences, campers connect Jewish values to their everyday lives while learning from one another and their counselors. These afternoon rotations encourage curiosity, reflection, and a deeper sense of belonging within our Jewish Beber community, helping campers build lasting connections to Judaism in a fun, supportive, and memorable camp environment.

After a hearty baked ziti dinner, we concluded an incredible first week of First Session with Havdalah. Division leaders shared creative divisional songs and our head counselors shared this week’s cabin cleanup winners - T2, G3, and O3. We filled the air with heartwarming song through our Havdalah prayers, where we bless the wine, the spices, the candles, and the separation between Shabbat, the day of rest, from the more energetic, busy rest of the week. Music has always been so special to me, and there is nothing like the sound of campers and staff singing together with care and connection to end an incredible week. We swayed together to “Bless this House,” “There Is So Much Magnificence,” and other Beber Havdalah classics before ending Shabbat in the same place it began, our beautiful amphitheater.

As we celebrate Shabbat, I look forward to another wonderful week of adventure, learning, and community at camp. I am so excited to see what this week brings!

Shavua tov,

Michael

Yesterday’s song was Super Trouper by ABBA. Congratulations to our correct answers:

• Debra Katersky
• Jill Rivkin
• Jaret Fishman
• Kim Sable
• Galite Shafer
• Andy Whitman
• David Hoffman

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