Director's Corner, Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Summer loving had me a blast
Summer loving happened so fast
Today marked the last day of hobbies of Beber 1st Session 2026. Over the past three five-day hobby weeks, campers have tried new activities, learned new skills, and spent meaningful time with friends. Whether they were creating art, playing sports, running around the aqua park, making music, or discovering a brand-new interest, there has been something at camp for every camper this session—something that has made them smile, laugh, and build their confidence.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about joining hobbies throughout this session has been watching campers step outside their comfort zones. Many campers signed up for activities they had never tried before and ended up finding a new favorite hobby. Throughout the session, I consistently saw campers encouraging one another, celebrating successes, and laughing through the challenges. Whether it was shooting hoops with campers on our Ron Kaplan Courts or tasting the delicious creations our Indoor Cooking hobby made, it has been my honor to get to know and laugh with your campers during hobbies this session.
As hobbies came to an end today, we had something exciting to look forward to: Banquet! Each session, we come together as a camp family during the final week of camp to celebrate the session with a delicious dinner, dance parties, and divisional closing ceremonies.
This year’s Banquet theme was Beber Pool Party: Summer Splash! The festivities started on the Island as campers and counselors gathered in their banquet attire and enjoyed colorful drinks while schmoozing with friends and family.
As I walked around the Island tonight, I found myself thinking about how much can change in just three weeks.
When campers arrived, many were a little nervous. Some weren't sure about their hobbies, some wondered if they would make friends, and others were simply trying to figure out where everything was. Tonight, I saw something completely different. I watched campers confidently walk into spaces that once felt unfamiliar, laugh with friends who were strangers just a few weeks ago, and celebrate accomplishments they couldn't have imagined on opening day.
One of the things I love most about camp is that growth rarely happens in one big moment. It happens in small moments, repeated day after day. One successful waterski run. One basket made after dozens of missed shots. One friendship that begins with a simple, "Want to sit with us?" Those moments add up, and before anyone even realizes it, campers leave camp a little more confident than when they arrived.
Our food today made for a deliciously memorable last hobby day. We began the day with pancakes, and for lunch, we enjoyed General Tso’s chicken with rice and veggies. Our Banquet feast was one for the ages, with just about every type of food imaginable. Campers chose from salmon, green beans, pasta with red, pesto, or alfredo sauce, mozzarella sticks, breadsticks, and, of course, a full and diverse salad bar. Our kitchen team goes above and beyond every day, especially on days like today. Thank you, Chuck, Abdiel, and the rest of the kitchen team for keeping us happy, healthy, and well-fed!
Our evening programs tonight were a beautiful culmination of all the fun we’ve had this session. After dinner, Makor and Kesher began with a Just Dance dance party in Crown Hall! The energy was high, the smiles were big, and the choreography was so fun for our campers to follow along with!
At the same time, Ramot and TLP began to close out the session with their divisional closing programs.
To commemorate the close and meaningful friendships they’ve made this summer, our Ramot campers closed out the session by taking the time to write a personal “bus note” to every person in their cabin. Each note was filled with kind words, fun memories, and encouragement, making everyone feel appreciated. Instead of reading them right away, each camper will save their notes for the bus (or car, or plane!) ride home on Friday. It will be a special way to reflect on an unforgettable month at camp and remember the friendships that were made along the way.
This evening, our Pioneer campers wrapped up the session in a meaningful way by creating scrapbooks filled with memories from their time at camp. Using photos, drawings, colorful decorations, and heartfelt writing, each Pio designed pages that captured the friendships, adventures, and special moments that made this summer unforgettable.
As our CITs prepare to transition into bunk next session, they took time this evening to write letters to their future selves. In their letters, they reflected on everything they've learned this session, shared what they're looking forward to, and set intentions for the weeks ahead as they transition into their new, exciting role as in-bunk counselors in training. I am incredibly impressed by and proud of all our CITs for the training they have done and the Beber Beliefs they live by every day, and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish in bunk starting in a few days.
After these programs finished, the divisions switched! Ramot and TLP headed to Crown Hall for their dance party, while Makor and Kesher began their divisional closing programs.
Soar Through Makor touched back down on Earth tonight by signing “mission autographs” for their bunkmates to bring home to thank everyone for an incredible journey through the Beber universe this session. Each camper wrote kind notes, drew fun pictures, and enjoyed quality time with their friends during this meaningful closing program.
Our Kesher campers also wrote bus notes to everyone in their cabin, but with a twist. After everyone’s notes were written and given, Keshing Waves had the opportunity to open their messages in a bottle that they wrote to themselves on the first day of camp. Reading these letters gave campers the chance to reflect on the goals, hopes, and expectations they had when they arrived and the chance to see just how much they’ve grown over the course of the session. It was a meaningful, full-circle moment filled with laughter, hugs, and reflection, as campers celebrated not only the friendships they’ve built but also the personal growth they’ve experienced throughout their time at camp.
As we celebrated Banquet tonight, I couldn't help but smile knowing that while the decorations, music, and dancing made for a memorable evening, the real celebration was everything our campers had accomplished along the way. Here’s to an incredible last day of hobbies, and an amazing last day of First Session 2026 tomorrow.
Peace, Love, 3BC,
Michael
Yesterday's song was "I’m a Believer,” recorded by Smash Mouth for the 2001 Shrek movie soundtrack. The song was originally written by Neil Diamond and recorded by The Monkees prior to Smash Mouth’s cover. Congratulations to our correct answers:
- James Bailen
- Tobi Pinsky
- The Millers
Switching up the question today: Can you name the musical behind “Summer Nights?” Send your guess to trivia@bebercamp.com, and I'll reveal the answer in tomorrow's blog.
P.S. All of our three-year campers received their three-year water bottles today! Each bottle is adorned with outlines of stickers that each camper will add as they reach milestone years at Beber—every year up to ten, and after that, milestone years such as 13, 15, and even 20 summers!
