Director's Corner, Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Closing Time

Closing time, time for you to go out
To the places you will be from
Closing time, this room won't be open

Till your brothers or your sisters come
So, gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend

Closing time, every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning's end, yeah
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Time is flying by, and here I am at my desk, reflecting on another amazing day at camp. We're gearing up for the final days of the second session, and our operations team is working tirelessly behind the scenes to manage camper departures and prepare for the end of the summer.

My days are filled with laughter, smiles, and cherished moments with campers, and I'm sad for it all to end. Witnessing the tremendous growth in our campers has been incredible. I'm certain their time here has significantly benefited their mental and social well-being. I eagerly await their return home on Friday, excited for you to hear all their stories.

I'd also like to acknowledge our unsung heroes: the housekeeping and maintenance teams. They work diligently all day—cleaning, fixing, and maintaining the grounds—often without recognition. On a daily basis, staff members submit maintenance requests, and the team is incredibly quick to get the job done and ensure everyone at camp is safe. To the entire maintenance team, your work does not go unnoticed.

Today, campers spent the day immersed in their favorite hobbies—completing art projects, enjoying water sports on Lake Beulah, and playing basketball and tennis. Their enthusiasm for these final days is palpable, as they balance excitement for going home with sadness over leaving.

During rest hour, we held our All-Star Baseball game. Campers from this session's baseball hobbies were selected as all-stars, given special shirts, and played a rousing game. A huge shout-out to Chuck for elevating this program and creating a culture of love for the sport. All campers were invited to watch, and many brought their canteen snacks and sat on the sidelines to cheer on the players.

Tonight, our campers debuted "The Wizard of Oz," the culmination of weeks spent rehearsing, building sets, and mastering their roles. It was a true triumph, especially for the campers who overcame homesickness to shine on stage. Their joy in performing for a live audience was absolutely infectious, and the audience was captivated by their talent.

I loved watching the show they put together. From my favorites, "The Jitterbug" to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," they sang so confidently throughout the whole show. We were all incredibly impressed by the lines they memorized. Afterward, we even hosted a quick Q&A where the audience got to ask the cast some questions.

Our musical director, Pat, celebrated his fourteenth show here at Beber. His attention to detail and ability to bring out the best in our campers is truly impressive. Getting our campers on stage in front of a live audience teaches them confidence, poise, and the strength to face their fears. We laughed, cheered, and even sang along to our favorite numbers. The entire cast and crew of "The Wizard of Oz" earned that spotlight tonight, and I am incredibly proud of them all!

Tomorrow, they'll celebrate with a cast party, Beber style!

Tomorrow marks the end of our regular programming. My wish for our campers is simple: that they carry home cherished memories, new skills, and lifelong friendships.

Breakfast: Cinnamon rolls and acai bowls
Lunch: Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner: Taco Bar

Just as “Closing Time” says, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Tonight's performance of "The Wizard of Oz" was a wonderful culmination of our campers' hard work and talent. While it’s bittersweet to see the curtain close on this show and our regular programming, it also marks the start of new journeys. These final days are about cherishing every last moment and remembering that the friendships and lessons learned here will stay with us, no matter where our next beginning takes us. We can't wait to see what amazing things our campers do next.

P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that Whitney Houston sang "I Wanna Dance with Somebody”

• Sara King
• Brian Berns
• Julie Brodsky
• Lisa Roth
• Marjie Terry
• Jessica Fonoroff
• Shayna Plankar

P.S. - Today’s question: Who sang the song "Closing Time?” Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!