Director's Corner, Sunday, May 24, 2026
“The waiting is the hardest part…”
Welcome to the first Director’s Corner of Summer 2026.
Over the next few months, this will be one of the main ways I share what’s happening at camp, what campers are experiencing, and occasionally a little bit about the “why” behind what we do at Beber.
For the first four blogs, you’ll receive a link by email. After that, notifications will come through the Campanion App, so make sure push notifications are enabled. That will also help notify you when new photos of your camper are uploaded.
If you need help setting up or navigating the Campanion App, this FAQ is very helpful:
Campanion Parent Login & FAQ Guide
If you don’t access the blog through the app, you can always find it on the Beber Buzz section of our website:
One quick note: while we’re always happy to help with camp-related questions, technical issues involving Campanion or CampMinder are usually best handled directly by the CampMinder support team. For direct CampMinder software or technical support, you can contact them at (303) 444-2267.
I’ll typically try to post these nightly, usually late at night once camp quiets down a bit. I also like making the blog interactive. Music is a big part of my life, so each post will usually begin with lyrics from a song that got stuck in my head that day. There will also be trivia questions related to the song lyrics throughout the summer, and families can submit answers to trivia@bebercamp.com.
As for camp itself, the summer rhythm is beginning.
I’ve now been at camp for about three weeks, and this past Wednesday we welcomed our first large group of summer staff, about 20 team members from kitchen, housekeeping, and maintenance. We also had another group of seven arrive back on May 14 to help prepare for their arrival.
This crew is incredibly special. Many are returners with anywhere from four to twelve summers at Beber. They know this place deeply, and they care deeply about it too.
What families often don’t see is that camp doesn’t simply “open” one day in June. It slowly wakes up.
Before campers arrive, there are kitchens to reopen, offices to organize, boats and vehicles to inspect, water testing, safety checks, supplies arriving daily, projects to finish, and countless behind-the-scenes details that help create the experience our campers eventually walk into.
Another important part of this time of year has been safety preparation. Recently, our leadership team participated in Emergency Response Plan (ERP) tabletop exercises alongside local law enforcement and security partners. These conversations and trainings helped us review communication systems, emergency procedures, and decision-making protocols so that we are as prepared as possible for a wide range of situations. While much of this work happens quietly behind the scenes, it is an important part of the responsibility we take seriously each summer.
There’s something really exciting about hearing camp slowly come alive again. Golf carts moving around site, music back in the buildings, staff laughing during breaks, projects wrapping up, and people working hard because they know what’s coming.
I also want to express gratitude to the many vendors and partners who prioritize camp this time of year. HVAC companies tuning up air conditioners, refrigeration teams helping reopen facilities, construction crews finishing projects, and so many others who help us get ready for the summer ahead.
Speaking of projects, Crown Hall is nearing completion and we are incredibly excited for campers and staff to experience the updated space this summer. The main project still actively under construction is our new maintenance facility in Perlman Village, which is progressing well and currently expected to be completed in October.
Another exciting arrival this week was our new Friday night siddurim. They look beautiful, and I cannot wait to see them in use this summer. If you are interested in dedicating one, you can do so here:
Friday Night Siddur Dedication Form
In the coming weeks, more of our camper care and programming leadership team will arrive as we prepare for Leadership Week and Staff Training. There is still a lot to do, but the energy and excitement are building every day.
A few quick notes as we get closer to the summer:
- Some days your camper may appear in many photos, and some days they may not appear at all. Usually, that has far more to do with where photographers happened to be than the type of day your camper had.
- The blog will include daily highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, occasional staff spotlights, photos, videos, and sometimes explanations about the “why” behind camp traditions and decisions.
- If you want even more camp content before the summer begins, make sure to follow us on Instagram at @bebercamp.
The waiting may be the hardest part, but summer is getting very close.
Trivia Question #1:
Name the song and artist that inspired tonight’s opening lyric.
See you back here soon.
– Michael Wax