Director's Corner, Sunday, July 5, 2026

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Tradition, tradition! Tradition!
Tradition, tradition! Tradition!

There are some things at Beber that happen every summer. Not because we have to. Because they're worth repeating. Today was one of those days.

Our campers headed off on field trips! Makor went to the Milwaukee Zoo and Kesher, Ramot, & Pios went to Great America. This year, because of the First Session calendar, we weren’t able to visit the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Sometimes schedules change, but the tradition doesn't. For generations, campers have spent a day laughing with friends at places like the zoo, amusement parks, baseball games, Bears training camp, State Fair, Renaissance Faire, and other adventures beyond camp. Long after they forget exactly which rides they went on or what they ate for lunch, they'll remember who they were with.

Today got me thinking about traditions.

While our other campers saw giraffes and penguins at the zoo and rode exhilarating rides at Great America, our CITs celebrated a different tradition: Independence Day! Our counselors in training ran a stall at the nearby East Troy Farmers’ Market, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding. Our CITs ran games like cornhole and Kan Jam, while also painting faces and helping children in the community make bracelets and other crafts. Today was an incredible opportunity for our CITs to practice leadership, gain confidence, and contribute to their wider community.

At first glance, traditions can look like routines. But they're much more than that. Traditions create anticipation. They give us shared experiences. They connect today's campers with campers from ten, twenty, or even fifty summers ago.

Some of our traditions are big:

• Maccabiah
• Shabbat
• Havdalah in the amphitheater
• Swim the Lake
• Lip Sync Battle
• 5 year speeches

Some are much quieter:

• Walking to Hobby Wheel each morning
• Gathering at the flagpole
• Singing before and after meals
• The blessing over the children on Friday night
• A counselor putting an arm around a camper during Shabbat Schmooze
• The cheers that echo across camp

Even the way campers count down the days until Makor Mania or the Fine Arts Festival has become part of what makes Beber feel like Beber. None of these traditions exist simply because "that's how we've always done it." They exist because they accomplish something important. They help campers feel like they belong. They create memories that families talk about for years. They remind returning campers that they're home, while helping first-time campers become part of something much bigger than themselves.

Traditions have an incredible way of bringing generations together. I love hearing alumni tell stories that begin with, "Do they still...?" More often than not, the answer is yes. And when it is, there's always a smile.

Having been a part of Beber since 1982, I’m often reminded that every tradition started somewhere. Someone had an idea. Someone believed it was worth repeating. Over time, those moments became part of the culture of Beber. And the beautiful thing is that our campers aren't just participating in traditions this summer. They're helping create the memories that the next generation will someday call tradition.

One of our meaningful Beber Camp traditions is the speeches that returning campers and staff give when they reach milestones: five years, ten, fifteen, twenty, and more. Over the years in which we’ve practiced these traditions, the number of campers and staff giving speeches has grown and grown. A few years ago, because of how lucky we are to have so many milestone Beberites, we made the decision to separate these speeches into one night for five year speeches and another night for everyone celebrating a longer milestone. Tonight, we gathered as a camp to celebrate our five-year campers and staff.

Something that stood out to me tonight was hearing how many places are represented by our five-year speakers. I counted at least nine states and four countries that our speakers from tonight alone represent. No matter where we started, we all found our way to the same place, connected by a shared journey of friendship and belonging. It was a beautiful reminder that we truly are one big Beber family, united by our experiences and the support we give one another.

Many five-year speeches stood out to me tonight. Our campers and staff showed incredible courage and leadership as they stood up in front of their peers to talk about their meaningful five summers at Beber. Whether they are a camper, a staff member, someone who has been here for five consecutive summers, or someone who has spent time away but has always known that Beber is All Summer, All Year, All Life, I am proud and honored to have witnessed their speeches tonight. Read some quotes that stood out to me below:

No matter how many years I come here, some things never get old: late nights with friends, lying in the hammocks, and all the little moments that somehow end up becoming the memories you remember most. (Sam U., B3)

When I was in K4 as a rookie, I was nervous and homesick. I don’t remember much but I liked it enough to come back…Camp is a place where I can truly grow as a person and have the most fun surrounded by some of the most amazing people. (Benjamin R., A2)

The kehilah kedoshah at camp always makes me want to come back because the community and sense of belonging is so strong. (Lila R., T3)

If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be here at camp. Thank you for introducing us to this community that we love so much. Over these past five years, we’ve grown so much as people. We have become more confident and tried new things. (Noah E. and Simon E., A3)

The fifth and final thing on my bucket list is to become a counselor here at Beber Camp. I knew from my first year that I would love to be a counselor here one day. (Caroline E., G4)

Mazel tov and thank you to all of our five-year campers and staff for being such important parts of the Beber community. We can’t wait for another 5+ more!

Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael

Yesterday's song was "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus. Congratulations to our correct answers:

• Jenny Cook
• Sara LaDeur
• Meredith Lang
• Andy Whitman
• Shari Graham
• Courtney Mendelsohn
• Yoav Lurie
• Dana Saltzman
• Carly Sear
• The Millers
• Jenny Howard
• Amy Bloomberg

Switching up the question today: Can you name the musical behind “Tradition?” Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.