Building for Summer 51 and the Next 50

Taking Care of What Takes Care of Us

As we prepare for our 51st summer at Beber Camp, I’ve been thinking a lot about something that doesn’t always get talked about enough: what it really means to care for a place like ours.

While Beber Camp is entering its 51st summer, the land and many of the buildings we call home are nearing 100 years old. That history is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s also something we take seriously.

Because great camps don’t just happen. They are cared for, improved, and reimagined year after year.

This past year has been a powerful example of that commitment.

Making Daily Life Better (and Cooler)

We’re nearly complete installing air conditioning in our kitchen and in the expanded areas of the dining hall that were renovated in 2021.

We also replaced kitchen windows that, quite honestly, had been there since the earliest days of camp.

These upgrades aren’t flashy,  but they matter. They create a safer, more comfortable, and more professional environment for the people who take care of our campers every single day.

Creating New Spaces for Energy & Connection

The BMX pump track is nearly complete, and alongside it, a new deck will give campers a place to gather, watch their friends, and stay cool in the shade.

That same space will also be home to our RC (radio-controlled) cars program, another example of how we continue to evolve our activities while staying rooted in what makes camp special: being active, being together, and trying something new.

Behind the Scenes (Where the Magic Happens)

We recently purchased and transformed a shipping container into a fully functional storage and workspace, complete with organized shelving and a charging station for our RC cars equipment.

I’m especially proud of our maintenance team for this one. Their creativity and craftsmanship turned something simple into something incredibly useful.

Investing in Safety, Flow, and Infrastructure

This year, we also:

• Installed lights on the soccer field
• Upgraded WiFi across lower camp to support safety systems and additional cameras
• Renovated staff housing originally built in the early 1980s
• Prepared our ski boats for another summer on the water

And perhaps most importantly, we’ve broken ground on a brand-new maintenance facility.

Located across the road from the soccer field, this project will transform how we operate:

• No more large trucks backing up near the dining hall
• Better storage and maintenance of equipment
• A true home base for the team that keeps camp running

With over 300 acres and 60+ buildings, having the right infrastructure isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.

Spaces That Shape Experience

Crown Hall is nearing completion and will be a centerpiece for Jewish life, music, and theater at camp.

While the walls may look a little bare this summer, that’s by design. We’re already planning how those walls will come alive in Summer 2027, telling our story and celebrating the generations who have shaped Beber.

Why This Matters

All of these projects, big and small, are part of something larger.

They’re about:

• Taking care of our people
• Creating meaningful camper experiences
• Ensuring safety and sustainability
• Honoring the past while building for the future

At Beber Camp, we don’t just run a program for a few weeks each summer.

We are stewards of a place that has meant something to generations, and will continue to do so for generations to come.

And that means investing in it, year after year.