Director's Corner, Thursday, July 30, 2026
Thursday, July 30, 2026
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
One of the greatest transformations that happens each summer isn't just with our campers, it's with our staff.
Over the past three days, our counselors have truly taken the lead. They became trip leaders, guiding campers on adventures away from camp. They planned and ran Makor Mania, creating three unforgettable days filled with creativity, energy, and excitement for our youngest campers. They welcomed our Taste of Beber families, helping first-time campers feel comfortable, confident, and eager to come back.
None of that happens by accident. It happens because, over the course of the summer, our staff grow tremendously. The counselors who arrived a few weeks ago have become confident leaders, trusted mentors, and role models for hundreds of campers. One of the greatest joys of my job is watching that transformation take place. As our trips return, as Makor Mania comes to a close, and as we say goodbye to our newest Taste of Beber campers, I'm reminded that camp doesn't just change children, it changes the young adults who dedicate their summers to making camp so special.
Today began with an 8am degel and pancake breakfast for TOB, followed by packing that has come along too quickly! At 9, our amazing TOB campers enjoyed their last Beber hobby (for now!). They got to experience parts of camp that they may have missed yesterday: Arts & Crafts, gaga/9 square, basketball, tennis, recording studio, and the farm.
As I made my way around camp this morning, I was greeted by so many incredible smiles and proud moments. Whether it was campers working together to complete a great basketball pass or proudly finishing a colorful beaded bracelet in Arts & Crafts, it was wonderful to see everyone celebrating their accomplishments and making the most of these final camp experiences.
After their hobbies, our TOB campers gathered for Taste of Beber Graduation! Each camper received heartfelt words celebrating their unique contributions to the week, a graduation certificate, and a 2026 Taste of Beber shirt. It was a special moment to reflect on all they had accomplished these last few days, celebrate the friendships they formed, and recognize how much each camper grew in confidence, independence, and their love for camp. We can't wait to welcome them back to Beber in the future!
While TOB enjoyed their exciting last morning at camp, Makor Mania was still in full swing! Our O cabins woke up in their tents on upper camp, ate breakfast together, and made their way back to their cabins to shower and get ready for the day. Meanwhile, our K cabins had a late 9am degel and pancake breakfast.
Following their daily cabin cleanup, Makor gathered in Crown Hall for an incredible program led by our CITs! Our counselors in training have been excelling above and beyond since they’ve jumped into being in bunk this session, and this program was such a fun way to visualize their growth. They led a mystery mock trial, in which multiple counselors were questioned by each cabin, with lots of creative thinking, teamwork, and laughter along the way.
For lunch today, everyone enjoyed quesadillas with rice, along with plenty of delicious options from the salad bar. Following lunch, while our Makor campers relaxed during rest hour, we said a bittersweet goodbye to our TOB campers.
To all of our TOB campers reading this with your families at home tonight: I am so proud of the confidence, bravery, and joy you showed by coming to Beber these past few days. Watching you try new things, make new friends, and embrace every camp experience has been such a privilege. I hope you leave with wonderful memories, and I hope to see you back at Beber next summer!
After rest hour, it was time for one of the best parts of Makor Mania: a pool party! As our 3-day trips began to trickle back in this afternoon, Makor smiled, swam, and splashed the afternoon away.
I am so happy to see our Kesher and Ramot campers back at camp safe, happy, and full of stories from their incredible 3-day trips! From exciting adventures and exploring new places to strengthening friendships and creating unforgettable memories, it sounds like they had an amazing time. We have all loved hearing about their experiences and are thrilled to have them back at Beber to finish out the session together.
Having our entire camp community back together again at degel and spaghetti & meatball dinner tonight was incredibly special. As I looked around at the smiling faces gathered once again in our massive flagpole circle, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the way our Beber counselors go above and beyond each day to create the happiest, most welcoming camp environment possible.
Whether it's a camper's first summer or their tenth, whether they love sports, arts & crafts, fine arts, or a little bit of everything, our counselors make every camper feel seen, included, and valued. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and genuine care shine through in every activity, conversation, and moment of encouragement. It is clear how much joy they find in helping our campers grow, build friendships, and create lifelong memories.
I couldn't be more grateful for the incredible staff who make Beber such a special place and for the strong, caring community they help foster every single day.
We closed out tonight with two amazing evening programs: Night at the Races for Ramot and a fantastic magician for Makor and Kesher. The evening was truly magical and was the perfect end to an exhilarating three days.
Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael
Yesterday's song was "For Good" from the musical Wicked. Congratulations to our correct answers:
- Brian Berns
- Julie Brodsky
- Melissa Superfine
- Lillie Burkons
- Barbara Cohen
- Heather Shapiro
Can you name the artist behind "Roar?" Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.