Parent Testimonials

Stefan, Just wanted to drop a note to congratulate you guys on a wonderful summer and to let you know what a phenomenal experience it was for [our son and daughter].  [My wife] and I are continually amazed how every year the experience just seems to get better and better for them.  I know this puts continual pressure on you cause you have to top it again next year - but we are sure with all your work and effort and the care you put into it - that they will come back next year with even more energy and positive vibes.  Wishing you a restful off season and looking forward to the Beber Camp experience next summer!
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Oak Park, IL

On a more personal note, I thank you for taking exceptional care of my daughters.  [My middle daughter] came to you as a child with separation issues.  The confidence that she has gained by not only “making it through” 4 weeks ([she]was signed up for the rookie program) but doing it happily is a treasure that you cannot put a dollar sign on.  FYI- [she] wants to be an 8 week camper next summer.  Additionally, one week ago, [my wife] and I received a letter from [our daughter] which I will paraphrase for you..."I am having an awesome time.  I know that I keep telling you how much fun I am having but it really is very hard to explain to you.  It’s like being at home.” [My wife] and I couldn’t hope for a better letter.  [My oldest daughter] came to Beber grudgingly because she had just finished two summers at Camp Canadensis in the Poconos.  She could not return this summer because we took a family trip to Israel this summer to celebrate [her sister’s] Bat Mitzvah.  Beber was the consolation prize for [my oldest daughter] regarding camps.  [She] was assured by [my wife] and I that she could go back to Canadensis next summer which was [my oldest daughter’s] intention.  After just four weeks at Beber, [she]does not even want to entertain the thought of going anywhere else but Beber next summer.  She is already trying to figure out the best weekend to visit her Chicago camp friends.  Thanks again for everything.
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, New York, NY

Dear Absolutely Everyone at Beber Camp! I am writing to thank you for my daughter’s happiness while at camp during the first session!  [She] was in Bunk 2 and loved it!  At 12 years old, this is her first camp experience since the age of 5 that she has enjoyed!  [She] attended camp with her best friend [name omitted].  [Her friend] asked us if [our daughter] was going back to Beber next summer and [she] said YES!!!!!!  As a single mom, [my daughter] is my greatest joy in the world...any you gave her the greatest summer and memories.  Thank you soooooo much!  See you next summer!”
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Chicago, IL

Hi Stefan,
Thanks for another great summer for [our] girls!  I started to tell you the other day when I picked the girls up how very much our family at home enjoyed your newsletters.  I’m so glad that the girls have had a very different camping experience than I ever had.  I was never a camper myself.  Twice I tried overnight camp.  2 different camps.  2 different years. I hated it.  I didn’t like the heat.  The dirt. The being away from home.  I never gave it a second thought until this summer.  Your newsletters made me wish I was 15 years old and part of the Beber community.  I wanted to be there experiencing all of the incredible things that the kids were participating in!  The next best thing was being transported through your newsletters!  You have improved on an already amazing place and experience for our kids.  Please remember that if ever you need to have your praises sung, or if you need a parent to talk to prospective Beber parents or staff, you can pass along any of my numbers!  [My daughters] are already counting down the days till Beber next summer!
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Chicago, IL

Dear Stefan and Everyone at Beber Camp!  I can never express my gratitude to all of you for what you have done for [my daughter] and me too!  Her experience there is priceless and more important than anything she has ever done.  The Director’s Corner on the website allowed me to live vicariously at Beber Camp and for that I am grateful.  The Jewish life that [my daughter] lives at Beber brings tears to my eyes!  I thank and love all of you!
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, New Orleans, LA

Hi Stefan! I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed reading the daily newsletters from you. We loved hearing everything the kids were doing each day with all the details we would never get.  Our 2 kids had a wonderful summer. The camp is so well run and the counselors are amazing. Your love of the camp and enthusiasm sets the tone for the entire staff.  Thanks again for another wonderful summer for my children…
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Chicago, IL

Dear Stefan, I hope this gets to you before the summer is officially over. This has been our [son’s] sixth season at Beber.  He has loved every moment at the camp!!!  He lives for the summers, and we see that the independence he has learned at Beber has helped him enormously during the school year, too.  We have noticed, and [our son] has told us about, the improvements at camp since you have been the director.  You have made yourself easily accessible to campers, counselors and parents.  More care is being taken with the photos displayed on the website.  They are interesting, not repetitive...I no longer need special permission to send my camper an item that he left at home.  It also seems that more Hebrew is being used during daily activities.  Also, bringing back the tradition of the lake swim is a marvelous idea.  Thank you for [our son’s] great summer.
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Chicago, IL

Hi Stefan!  I know my sisters have told you how much I appreciate all you do for the kids, but I wanted to drop you a note from me as well.  [My son] looks so happy to be there, and I know he is sad that the session is almost over!  Having his cousins there is definitely a bonus, but even before they decided to go to Beber, all [my son] was talking about was coming back.  He really has made camp his summer home and will definitely be back next summer!  Thanks for all your hard work, the daily announcements, and most of all, providing the best camp environment ever!
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, West Bloomfield, MI

Hey Stefan, We love reading the director’s corner.  You are doing such a great job of getting us info and keeping us updated. Since we were traveling, we couldn’t receive letters from [our daughter] so going on line and seeing happy pictures and reading about the days was really great. Keep them coming, your efforts are absolutely appreciated.
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Chevy Chase, MA

Hey Stefan,
I just want to say “thanks!” for all the news updates and wonderful depictions of camp life at Beber.  As a parent, I often wonder if sending [my daughter] away for 4 weeks is really the best thing for her.  Reading your daily newsletter and viewing the photographs of the children immersed in their camp activities makes me feel 100% sure that Beber is the right choice for a large part of [her] summer.  For a few moments each morning as I enjoy your website I actually feel the excitement of the camp experience.  Thanks for taking such great care of our children, and have a awesome and meaningful last few days at camp.
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Homewood, IL

Hi Stefan,
I was going to write you after [my daughter] returned home from camp but after the letter I received from her yesterday I wanted to share this with you. She really wanted to return this year to camp but was nervous without [her cousins] not being there and flying home by herself for the first time. Yesterday she wrote that she is having the best time and that her 3 day trip was amazing and she could not wait to tell us about it! Thank you for all that you are doing!  I have never heard her say anything was amazing before.
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, North Carolina

Stefan,
You are fabulous!! The “Director’s Corner” makes me want to go to Beber...ever thought of having a “parents” camp session?  Keep up the GREAT work, we love it!  I dont’ think that [my sons] are ever going to want to leave Beber
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Chicago, IL

Hi!  We just wanted to drop you a line telling you that you have been doing a great job and have really helped to make Beber a really fantastic place.  We think the camp is much better… [My daughter] told me that the last 2 years were 2 of her best.  [My daughter] was never going to be a Pio and now she is considering being a CIT...As far as we can tell [our other daughter] is having a great time!  If you need any letters of support for the board of directors, please let us send some so we can tell them of our praise for you!!
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Chicago, IL

Stefan,
I was just reading your write-up on the Shabbat activities, and my husband and I were chatting about how impressed we are with the learning that goes on at Beber and the values you instill in the kids. Maccabiah games dedicated to the importance of tzeddakah, a Shabbat dedicated to Holocaust rememberance, Israel day. I am curious what [our son’s] reaction was to the cancer survivor, and both kids to the Holocaust survivor. We wanted our kids to go to camp so that they can experience being Jewish as normal (coming from Lawrence, Kansas, where they know very few Jewish kids--where most of our Jewish traditions and home practices isolate them rather than give them community). Little did we know how much more they would get than just that. I can’t wait to talk to the kids about all their experiences. Thank you for adding so much to their camp experience, for making it fun and fun learning, not just fun.
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Lawrence, KS

Dear Stefan and the entire Beber camp staff, Linda and I want to thank each and every one of you for making this past weekend so special. We did not attend camp and even though we have been involved with Beber for 11 years we really didn’t get what it was all about until this weekend. You all made us feel part of the Beber community and understand what a special place it is.  [Our son’s] first Bar Mitzvah was at the Western wall. In the presence of the wall we felt the linkage to Jews from generations ago. In much the same way we felt this connection at Beber where you all do such a marvelous job of connecting the campers, counselors and cit’s to one another and to the legacy of the camp. It was awesome to see so many of [our daughter’s] friends, who have been there with her thru the camper, cit and counselor years, now running the show. We were joined by a friend who was at Beber 30 years ago and now sends her two sons. She could still remember the service and most of the songs. Although much has changed I think a former camper could return to the present Beber and feel very much at home.  [Our son’s] Beber Bar Mitzvah was a very special time for us and him. Towards the end of the party, when you sent Remote (not sure of the spelling) home before TC (brilliant idea) [our son] came up to us and announced that this was the best party in the history of the camp! I know how hard you and the staff try to make everyday special for every child but on this one day you succeeded in making it extra special for one 13 year old “man” and his family. Thank you!
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parents, Boca Raton, FL

Hi!  We picked [our daughter] up yesterday from 2 weeks of Beber Camp and I just wanted to touch base. She really enjoyed the camp. She did new activities like waterskiing and windsurfing and made some nice friends. She loved the baseball game and especially the farm. She even wrote us that “the food rocks!” which was fun to hear. She also enjoyed how the counselors made the prayers and services fun and some puppet show she said was just great.  She was very happy with her counselors too...[she] is already pretty set on going for a month next summer!
-Anonymous Beber Camp Parent, Chicago, IL