Director's Corner, Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Celebrate good times, come on
Let's celebrate
Celebrate good times, come on
Let's celebrate

One of the things you'll notice at Beber is that we celebrate a lot. We cheer when campers head out on trips, applaud performances at the Talent Show (like last night), recognize staff of the week at flagpole, and celebrate milestones both big and small (like 5 year campers). Those moments aren't just traditions, they're opportunities to tell our campers, "We see you. We're proud of you."

Recognition matters because it builds confidence, encourages campers to celebrate one another, and reminds every child that they are an important part of our community. At camp, we don't just celebrate accomplishments; we celebrate courage, growth, and the willingness to try something new.

Today was a perfect example. This morning, we lined the roads to cheer as our trip groups departed for adventures that will challenge them, strengthen friendships, and create memories they'll carry for years to come. Later in the day, we welcomed our newest campers as our Taste of Beber families arrived. For many of these campers, this is the beginning of their very first overnight camp experience. Different moments in the camp journey, but both are worthy of celebration.

Today reminded me that some of life's most meaningful moments aren't at the finish line, they're at the starting line. Whether you're heading out on a trip or taking your very first steps into camp, every new adventure deserves a cheer.

And speaking of celebrations, today was filled with them. This morning, our Kesher and Ramot campers headed out on their three-day trips. They're off on an unforgettable adventure filled with new experiences, great memories, and plenty of fun. We can't wait to hear all about their adventures when they return! Learn more about some of our our trips that departed today below:

Backpacking: Our Senior Ramot-only backpacking trip has been filled with memorable adventures today as campers hiked through scenic prairies and peaceful forests along a beautiful state forest trail. Between hikes, they enjoyed time at the beach, cooling off in the refreshing water and soaking up the sunshine. More than just an outdoor adventure, this backpacking trip gives our senior campers the opportunity to strengthen their confidence, build outdoor skills, and deepen their friendships. 

Biking: Our bikers have set off on an exciting journey that will take them 60 miles along the scenic 400 State Trail and Elroy-Sparta Trail (two of America’s first rail trails!). One of the highlights of the trip is riding through three impressive 19th-century railroad tunnels, offering a unique glimpse into history along the way. After a day of adventure on two wheels, campers have unwound at their first campgrounds, where they relaxed, swam, and enjoyed time together in the great outdoors. Our bikers are doing a great job refilling water bottles and are loving this incredible experience filled with challenge, teamwork, and lasting memories!

Canoeing: Our canoers will travel 25 miles down the stunning Wisconsin River over the course of the next three days! Today, they successfully made it to their first stop and spent lots of time cooling down in the river! They are experiencing incredible wildlife and breathtaking natural surroundings, and tonight and tomorrow they will sleep under the stars on sandy riverbanks. Way to go, canoers!

Climbing: Our climbers have spent today exploring breathtaking landscapes, taking on challenging yet rewarding hikes through a beautiful state park. Throughout this trip, they will experienced rock climbing, bouldering, hiking, and rappelling, all surrounded by incredible scenery. Tomorrow, they will meet up with Apex Adventures for a day of climbing on natural rock faces. They’ll even learn how to belay one another, building both their climbing and teamwork skills. After an exciting day on the rock today, they relaxed by the lake, cooking dinner together and enjoying great food and even better company. To wrap up an unforgettable trip, the group will head out on their last morning for a spectacular sunrise hike, where they'll take in stunning views of the lake as they celebrate an amazing, adventurous three-day trip.

Back at camp, today also marked the start of Makor Mania, and our youngest campers kicked things off with an action-packed day. One of the highlights was Cardboard Celebrity, where each group transformed a counselor into a creative masterpiece using nothing but cardboard. The imagination and teamwork on display were incredible!

The fun didn't stop there. Campers cooled off by splashing around while washing our golf carts and had an absolute blast playing on the Aqua Park. I was right in the middle of it this afternoon. Many campers enjoyed dumping buckets of water on my head! Today will be a 3-shower day for me! It was the perfect way to beat the heat and enjoy a summer day together. 

Once each summer, Makor-aged campers who have never been to camp before get the chance to experience Beber through our incredible 3-day Taste of Beber program during Second Session. Today, we were thrilled to welcome this year's Taste of Beber campers!

The campers arrived this afternoon, settled into their yurts in the Pioville, and jumped right into fun get-to-know-you games as they met their fellow campers and counselors. They then joined the Makor girls for degel and enjoyed a delicious pasta dinner. Meanwhile, the Makor boys are on upper camp on their campout, where they capped off the day with campers' stew and s'mores around the campfire. They even had a special night hike!

At GA this evening, many of our Taste of Beber campers headed to the basketball courts, where they were joined by several members of our Leadership and Full-Time Team. While Makor girls enjoyed their classic Makor Mania movie night, Taste of Beber wrapped up their first day at camp with a Toy Story-themed scavenger hunt for their evening program. They unscrambled sentences, hula hooped, and ran around camp to figure out the clues. It was a fun-filled way to explore camp, make new friends, and kick off what is sure to be an unforgettable Taste of Beber experience!

With trips underway and Makor Mania and Taste of Beber officially in full swing, the excitement around camp is only growing. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael

Yesterday's song was "You’ve Got a Friend" by Carole King or James Taylor. Congratulations to our correct answers:

• Steven Junger
• Barri Bate
• Shana Sexton
• Jenny Wood
• Julia Geller
• Lillie Burkons
• Barbara Cohen
• Amy Bloomberg
• Jessica Fonoroff

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