Director's Corner, Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're goin' my way
Well, I wanna drive it all night long
Today was an exciting day at camp as our Kesher and Ramot campers headed off on their three-day trips! With backpacks packed and adventure on the horizon, they set out ready to make incredible memories exploring, hiking, bonding, and experiencing all that their trips have to offer. We can't wait to hear all about their adventures when they return! Here is a little more information about some of the trips that departed today:
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!
Fine Arts: Our Fine Arts campers are off on an unforgettable adventure, spending a few days camping in a beautiful Wisconsin state park surrounded by nature. Their trip is filled with creativity, including talent shows, arts and crafts, and plenty of music activities that let everyone share their unique talents. They'll also enjoy exploring the one-of-a-kind House on the Rock museum and stepping back in time with a visit to the historic Circus World. The Fine Arts trip is the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, artistic expression, and unforgettable experiences.
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. Ramot moved quickly today, while Kesher took their time (after all, they did have a bit longer to bike today!). 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!
Outdoor Sports Adventure: Our Outdoor Sports Adventure campers geared up this morning for an action-packed trip filled with friendly competition, teamwork, and outdoor fun. Throughout their adventure, they'll take part in a variety of sporting events, team challenges, and recreational activities that will keep everyone active and engaged. Today, after a full day of excitement, campers set up their tents and relaxed on the beach. To top it all off, they'll head out to cheer on the home team at a minor league baseball game tomorrow night, making this trip a home run of unforgettable memories!
While our older campers hit the road, our youngest campers in Makor campers kicked off their very own special event: Makor Mania! The next three days are packed with nonstop fun, and today was the perfect start. Today’s meals were french toast, tacos, and pasta festival! (Our Makor girls enjoyed a different meal for dinner–keep reading to find out more!)
To beat the summer heat, our Makor campers enjoyed a morning full of exciting water games led by our incredible Pios. Our CITs had the opportunity to learn from Director of Operations Julia Bessen in an exciting session about camp operations with hands-on experience. After lunch, Makor headed down to the lake to conquer the aqua park. From balancing and sliding to splashing into the water, everyone had a blast soaking up the sunshine. The fun didn't stop there–Makor also turned camp chores into a water-filled celebration by washing the golf carts and canoes, making sure everything (and everyone!) got a good splash along the way. Meanwhile, our TLP campers participated in a mix of games and programs this afternoon, including “Empty Chair,” a program focused on building trust and confidence among campers, as well as human foosball, which is always a blast!
As the day came to a close, our Pios and CITs had an incredible time at their “Guess the Song” evening program. After choosing a song in a jeopardy-style way, campers worked in teams to guess the lyrics after the music cut out! There was creativity, laughter, some funny made-up lyrics, and friendship all around.
Tonight, our Makor boy campers gathered in Crown Hall for movie night, where they watched Home while snuggled up with blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows. A few counselors may have even been recruited as extra pillows along the way!
Meanwhile, our Makor girl campers enjoyed a special evening at the staff firepit on upper camp. Smiles were big, bellies were full, and hearts were warm as campers played games, enjoyed delicious camper stew and s'mores, and shared stories around the fire. They also took a memorable nighttime hike led by former Beber staff member David “Swanny” Swanson, who once served as our Waterfront Director and Environmental Education teacher. It was a wonderful opportunity for campers to experience camp in a different way while learning from someone who has been part of Beber for many years.
Because of the extreme heat we're experiencing at camp, we made the decision to have our Makor campers sleep comfortably in their cabins tonight rather than outdoors. Every program and activity is evaluated based on the specific circumstances, and for this overnight experience we felt a cool cabin and a good night's sleep were the right choice. While sleeping under the stars will have to wait for another time, the laughter, friendships, and shared experiences made for the perfect ending to an unforgettable first day of Makor Mania.
Whether exploring on the road or making memories here at camp, every camper is off to an amazing start to what promises to be an incredible three days!
Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael
Yesterday's song was "The Heat is On" by Glenn Frey, from the 1984 movie Beverly Hills Cop. Congratulations to our correct answers:
- Meredith Lang
- Jill Rivkin
- Jeffrey Katersky
- Amy Bloomberg
- Corey Shapiro
Can you name the artist behind “Life is a Highway?” Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.