Director's Corner, Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes

One of the things I've been reminded of this week is just how many people work behind the scenes to make camp feel magical.

Our campers spend their days with counselors, specialists, and friends, but there is an entire team whose work often happens quietly in the background. Before campers wake up each morning, our housekeeping team has already been hard at work making sure bathrooms and shared spaces are clean. Our maintenance staff is constantly fixing, building, delivering, and preparing spaces so that campers can move from activity to activity without ever thinking about what it takes to keep camp running. If a light burns out, a sink needs repairing, a boat needs attention, or an activity area needs to be set up, they're already on it.

Three times a day, our incredible kitchen team prepares hundreds of meals, making sure campers have the energy they need for everything from waterskiing and basketball to musical rehearsals and campfires. (BTW - today, we enjoyed pancakes, tacos, and “Pasta Festival” with chicken!) 

Our Health Center staff quietly cares for everything from scraped knees to homesick hearts, helping campers feel safe, healthy, and ready to get back to enjoying camp. Meanwhile, our office team answers countless phone calls and emails, coordinates transportation, manages logistics, and supports every department on camp, often solving problems before anyone else even knows they exist.

And then there are our photographers. They seem to be everywhere at once, capturing the smiles, friendships, and unforgettable moments that families at home look forward to seeing each day. They help tell the story of camp in a way that words never fully can.

None of these team members ask for recognition. In fact, one of the signs they're doing their jobs well is that campers hardly notice the work happening around them. But I notice. Every single day, I'm grateful for the people whose dedication, professionalism, and pride make it possible for our campers to simply focus on being kids. Camp may look effortless from the outside, but that's only because of the extraordinary people working behind the scenes to make it that way. Thank you to all of our behind-the-scenes team members for everything you do.

We made the most of the summer heat today with plenty of opportunities to stay cool under the summer sun. Hobby specialists helped campers take group water breaks, and all campers had the opportunity to get out of the sun during hobby time and choose to watch the exciting England vs. Argentina World Cup semifinal. We even enjoyed an Icee and ice cream snack between hobbies today as a refreshing surprise! Today was filled with endless fun, connection with friends, and making opportunities to stay cool.

As the sun began to set tonight and the heat finally lifted, each of our divisions enjoyed fun, energetic evening programs tonight. Makor and Kesher competed in Night at the Races, where they cheered on their counselors and CITs as they competed in various activities that showed off their skills! Counselors and CITs arm wrestled, wrapped each other in toilet paper, raced to chew gum and blow a bubble the fastest, and more, all with their campers’ energetic support. For each activity, each cabin was able to bet on which counselor they thought would win, and they earned “money” for each correct answer as the activities went on. K2 took home the win in Makor, and B1 took home the win in Kesher!

Meanwhile, Ramot University had a Big 10 sports rotation! While our campers may not have touched any D1 footballs, tennis rackets, or basketballs, they had a great time playing with their friends and competing for their teams. The tailgating experience with Chuck was a huge hit!

Just like the behind-the-scenes teams who make good things happen every day without expecting recognition, tonight I watched campers doing the very same thing. Without any nudging from their counselors, campers volunteered to participate, cheered on their cabinmates, and encouraged one another simply because they wanted everyone around them to succeed. Moments like these make me incredibly proud. They remind me that the culture our staff works so hard to create doesn't end with the adults, it lives on through our campers. Whether they one day become Beber counselors themselves or simply carry these lessons into their schools, teams, and communities, they are learning that leadership isn’t about being in the spotlight. Often, it’s about quietly making someone else’s experience a little better.

Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael

Yesterday’s song was "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. Congratulations to our correct answers:

• Barri Bate
• Nicole Jamison-Dinowitz
• Netali Ginsberg
• Josie Suser
• Caryn Mark Finley
• Lillie Burkons
• Samantha Fishbein
• Jessica Fonoroff
• Daphne Doron

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