Director's Corner, Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Umbrella

When the sun shine, we shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said "I'll always be your friend"
Took an oath, I'ma stick it out 'til the end
Now that it's rainin' more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy
Under my umbrella

It was another incredible day at Beber! Unfortunately, it rained most of the day, something I haven't seen in years. Luckily, our amazing staff and leadership team ensured that both campers at camp and those on three-day trips still had a fantastic time despite the weather.

Senior Makor started their day waking up in their tents, packing their gear, and cleaning their campsite. For many, this first camping trip is an unforgettable milestone, offering a unique adventure in nature. This experience immerses our campers in the outdoors and teaches them independence and responsibility as they set up tents, cook meals, and even navigate some trails for the first time. It also strengthens cabin bonds, as campers share the excitement of camping together, forming lasting friendships and a sense of cooperation. Facing the challenges of a first camping trip helps campers develop resilience and confidence, promoting personal growth. Ultimately, this Makor camping trip creates cherished memories and reinforces the Beber values of sacred community and courage.

After packing up, Makor dropped their gear at their bunks and then headed off to Degel (flagpole) and breakfast. They were so excited to share stories of their campout and how much fun they had with their friends in a camping setting. 

After breakfast and cleanup, Makor was off and running with a day jam-packed with special programming! Yesterday and today, Makor has been trying out "3-day trips" right here at camp. Today, they tackled the Fine Arts trip by using recycled materials to dress up their counselors—how creative!

After lunch and rest hour, the campers practiced and performed for their lip sync battle! I got to see a couple of absolutely the cutest performances. One of my favorites was O3 singing "Let It Grow" from The Lorax movie, with each camper assigned a character from the original song performance and acting out their part as they sang. What a great song with a great message they chose!

During the third period, Makor held their egg drops, where they needed to create floating devices or any type of contraption that would prevent an egg from cracking when dropped from Cheryl Kaplan’s porch next to Crown Hall. What great creations they made—smart kids!

After dinner and a really fun General Activity (GA) with camp all to themselves, Makor had a "Dive-in" movie at the pool where they played in the water while watching Moana on an inflatable screen. The fun just never stops during Makor Mania!

Meals:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, hash browns, bagels and lox
Lunch: Nacho Bar
Dinner: Indoor BBQ with all the fixings.

Here is some more information about our Kesher and Ramot trips:

Outdoor Sports Adventure

During our Outdoor Sports Adventure (OSA) trip, campers spend three days at Rivers Edge Campground in Stevens Point. They are organized into teams and engage in a variety of activities, including basketball, gaga, ultimate frisbee, and individual challenges such as hula hoop contests and plank challenges. Points are awarded to teams based on their performance in these activities. Additionally, the campground features a small aquapark where they can cool off and enjoy some extra fun.

Fine Arts Trip

Campers on the Fine Arts trip enjoy their days at Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, a stunning location boasting a picturesque beach with sand dunes and captivating hiking trails, including one leading to a waterfall. During this trip, campers immerse themselves in various art forms, from song sessions and reverse talent shows to morning yoga and advanced bracelet making.

Adding to their experience is a special tour of The House on the Rock, a visionary project initiated in 1945 by Alex Jordan, aiming to create a man-made retreat as breathtaking as the surrounding vista. Over time, The House on the Rock has expanded to feature extraordinary exhibits and collections, such as a music room, tributes to nostalgia, a sculpture garden, streets depicting past eras, a dollhouse room, exhibits on marine heritage, an infinity room offering panoramic views, and a massive indoor carousel.

This session, they also went to Circus World. What began with less than an acre of land, six historic circus wagons, plus a lot of grit, determination, and passion, has now become an internationally recognized and respected institution encompassing 64 acres, 30 permanent structures, seven winter quarters buildings along Water Street, plus the Ringling Bros. Circus Train shed complex, and over 260 spectacular wagons. Circus World truly is "Wisconsin’s National Treasure!" They rode on a carousel, toured the wagon display, and viewed circus acts throughout the park. How cool!

Senior Ramot Backpacking

The last trip to discuss is a Senior Ramot Backpacking adventure. They journey together and camp as a cohesive unit along the Ice Age Trail, situated near the terminal moraine from the last Ice Age. Divided into two groups, they hike in opposite directions from Little Prairie to Highway C each day. This experience not only presents challenges but also empowers them to conquer obstacles and achieve success as they reach significant milestones along the way.

Unfortunately, due to heavy rains this time around, some of our trips pivoted in true Beber style to give the kids great experiences.

• For example, the Outdoor Sports Adventure trip went to the Milwaukee JCC where they enjoyed indoor sports and a delicious lunch.
• Our Kesher fishing charter on lower Lake Michigan was canceled due to heavy squalls, so the kids spent their day at Discovery World, exploring the aquarium and learning about fish. They then headed to their campsite later in the afternoon and went fishing under their pavilion by the beach.
• Also, backpacking walked in the rain today as well, skillfully adapting to continue their trip despite the downpour.
• Oh, and this is a big one: Ramot fishing caught 14 king salmon today and had two more successful charters throughout the day! Holy cow!

All in all, our staff maintained incredibly positive attitudes and, thanks to their excellent training, focused on both camper needs and ensuring everyone had a great time with the rain.

Checking in with the trips throughout the day, I'm simply wowed by all the fantastic experiences and the opportunities for campers to bond within their divisions. I'm also incredibly proud to hear stories of them conquering fears, learning new skills, and seeing beautiful sites all across Wisconsin. Our campers are happy, and I'm so excited to see them get off the bus tomorrow and hear all about their unique adventures!

Our CITs continue to exhibit great leadership skills as they help their Taste of Beber campers throughout the day. They are gaining so much hands-on experience, preparing them to be effective counselors next year. I am so proud of them! We have 49 future Beber campers, and I know the role the CITs are playing will be a part of the memories these new campers bring home. It's tiring work, but they are truly doing a fantastic job.

We're sad that the CITs are leaving this Friday, but don't worry—they'll have a graduation ceremony tomorrow night to celebrate the completion of their Teen Leadership Program! Congrats to them; we're so excited to have them with us on staff next summer.

Even with rain attempting to dampen our spirits today, from Makor's thrilling campout and "Dive-in" movie to the resourceful pivots of our tripping groups and the unwavering leadership of our CITs, Beber Camp truly demonstrated that when challenges arise, "you can stand under my umbrella." Our collective resilience, adaptability, and the strong bonds among campers and staff ensure that even on the cloudiest days, we shine together, making every moment an unforgettable adventure.

P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that The Foundations sang "Build Me Up Buttercup”

• Julie Houghton

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