Director's Corner, Thursday, July 23, 2026

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Whoa, listen to the music
Whoa, listen to the music
Whoa, listen to the music
All the time

One of the things I wish every parent could experience isn't something you can capture in a photograph.

It's the soundtrack of camp.

If you close your eyes for just a moment, camp has a sound all its own. In the morning, it's the songs at flagpole and the excitement of campers greeting one another for another day. Throughout the day, it's the hum of ski boats pulling campers across Lake Beulah, the splash of a perfect jump into the pool, cheers echoing from the Ron Kaplan Courts, and laughter drifting from cabins as friendships continue to grow. These are the sounds of confidence, joy, and community being built in real time.

But not every sound at camp is loud.

Some of my favorite moments are the quiet ones. Early in the morning or late in the evening, you can hear the breeze moving through the trees and the chorus of birds that call Beber home. One of the activities our campers can choose is Birding, where Trudy introduces them to the incredible wildlife that surrounds us. She teaches campers to slow down, look up, and really listen. Before long, they're spotting birds they never knew existed and discovering that nature has its own beautiful soundtrack.

That activity has had an unexpected impact on me as well. Over the past few summers, I've developed a genuine appreciation for birding, especially for owls. Late at night, I've been lucky enough to hear, and occasionally spot, juvenile Barred Owls calling through the woods. Their unmistakable "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" call has become one of my favorite sounds of the summer. It's a reminder that camp doesn't just help children discover new passions. Sometimes it inspires the adults, too.

As the day winds down, the soundtrack changes once again. Guitars come out. Campfires crackle. Hundreds of voices join together in songs that campers will still be singing months from now. These are the melodies that become memories. Years later, hearing one familiar camp song can instantly transport someone back to Lake Beulah, surrounded by friends and a place that feels like home.

When your camper comes home, don't just ask what they did. Ask them what camp sounded like. Ask what songs they're still singing, what cheers they remember, whether they noticed the birds in the morning, or what sound they'll miss the most. You might be surprised how quickly those sounds bring a smile to their face.

Because camp isn't just something you see. It's something you hear. And those sounds stay with you long after the summer ends.

Today, campers woke up well-rested and ready for an exciting day of hobbies. We started the morning with degel (flagpole) as always, followed by today’s breakfast: French toast! The rest of the morning was filled with creativity, teamwork, and lots of smiles as everyone jumped back into their fun Week 2 hobbies. Today’s weather was absolutely beautiful, and whether campers were making crafts, playing sports, exploring nature, or learning a new skill, they gave each hobby their best effort and had lots of fun along the way.

After a busy morning, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup and took some time to relax in their cabins during rest hour before heading into the afternoon. Throughout the afternoon, I watched campers build friendships, encourage one another, and create memories that will last long after camp is over. It was another fantastic day full of laughter, learning, and adventure.

After enjoying barbecue brisket on pretzel rolls for dinner and then GA, each division headed off for its evening program! Makor and Kesher hosted their divisional talent shows, featuring an incredible lineup of talented performers. Campers danced, sang, rapped, told jokes, performed magic tricks, and showcased impressive skills like diabolo and jump rope. Meanwhile, Ramot brought the energy with an exciting lip-sync battle, where campers gave it their all with enthusiastic performances, creative choreography, and lots of laughs. The audience sang along, cheered loudly, and helped make it a memorable evening full of camp ruach!

As the day comes to an end, I’m finding myself reflecting on the soundtrack of camp once more. Campers are settled into their cabins and counselors are winding down, and the continuous trill of crickets and katydids fills the Wisconsin night. Just as the day began, it ends with a sense of calm; a peaceful close marked by the sounds of nature, the promise of a restful night's sleep, and another remarkable day at camp waiting just beyond the horizon of Lake Beulah.

Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael

Yesterday's song was "Try" by Pink. Unfortunately, there were no correct answers.

Can you name the artist behind "Listen to the Music?" Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.