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Building for the Future: Investments at Beber Camp

As we approach our 50th summer at Beber, it’s a perfect time to reflect on all we’ve accomplished and to look ahead at what’s still to come. Our site and many buildings, now over 100 years old, are rich in history and tradition. But as we celebrate our past, it’s essential to think about sustaining and enhancing our camp for future generations. Running camp requires thoughtful and strategic investments across all areas—not just in programming, but also in childcare, Jewish life, health and safety, operations, and, of course, the physical site.

Over the last three years, we’ve made significant investments to ensure that Beber remains a place where campers thrive, grow, and make lasting memories. These improvements are aimed at keeping camp exciting, safe, and sustainable for the future.

Programmatic Enhancements

To keep the summer experience fresh and exciting, we've made numerous updates to our programs:

  • Outdoor Adventure: We introduced a double-decker self-belay Challenge Course to add new dimensions to our adventure programming, alongside renovations to the existing challenge course. We also built a sling-shot paintball area that really made a mark!
  • Sports: New batting cages, a pitching machine, and portable pickleball courts have added variety to our sports offerings, while the baseball field has seen significant renovations. Additionally, gymnastics has been expanded with uneven bars, a balance beam, Tumble Trak, and mats.
  • Waterfront: We’ve updated our sailing program with four new Zest sailboats and added new aqua park pieces. We’ve also added ski boats to put our fleet at twelve.

Kitchen & Dining Improvements

Food is an integral part of the camp experience, and we’ve invested in making it as enjoyable and efficient as possible:

  • Dining Hall Renovations: We’ve redesigned our main dining hall to support buffet-style service, giving campers more choice, access to warmer food, and quicker seconds. We’ve also updated the Perlman Village dining room to accommodate our Teen Leadership program first session.
  • Expanded Menus: We’ve increased the variety of food options, offering more proteins, healthier choices, and a wider selection on our salad bars to cater to dietary needs, including those with food allergies.
  • Efficiency Upgrades: A new freezer and steamer have enhanced our ability to serve meals more efficiently, reducing waste and ensuring high-quality meals for all.

Site Investments

Our physical site is one of our most valuable assets, and we are committed to maintaining and enhancing it for future generations. Over the last three summers, we’ve focused on improvements that ensure safety, functionality, and comfort:

  • New Oakies: The iconic Oakies cabin was completely rebuilt which was a major investment in improving camper accommodations.
  • Air Conditioning & Heating: We added central A/C and heating to key areas like the MPR, staff lounge, Beber dorms, and Feldmar to create more comfortable environments for both programming and relaxation.
  • Recreation Areas: We expanded hangout spaces by creating two new hammock parks, with a total of 24 hammocks, and added a playground for additional camper downtime. Seating at the amphitheater was also increased to accommodate our growing camp community.
  • Infrastructure Upgrades: We installed extractor fans in all cabins, renovated showers in the pool house, and made upgrades to our water system to ensure clean and reliable water for all campers and staff. We also put new roofs on the lodge and Bisno building at the Perlman Village.
  • Moadon: A building was renovated to create the Moadon, a dedicated lounge for teens to relax and build connections in their own space.

Financial Aid

We recognize that the cost of camp can be a barrier for some families, especially with rising tuition costs. To help, we’ve provided nearly $200,000 annually in financial assistance over the last several summers. This commitment ensures that more families can experience the magic of Beber, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Inclusion

We are deeply committed to making Beber Camp accessible and inclusive for all. Through our Yad B’yad program, we’ve been able to accommodate more campers with special needs. This includes adapting facilities to be more sensory-friendly and improving access for all abilities. These changes have allowed us to welcome even more campers into our community, and we remain dedicated to continuing these efforts.

Security and Health & Wellness

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our campers is always our top priority. We've continued to invest in both areas with the latest advancements:

  • Security: From 24/7 armed security and upgraded gates and cameras to AI monitoring software and walkie-talkies in every cabin, we’re staying ahead of best practices to keep our camp safe.
  • Health: We’ve expanded our health center staff to include six nurses, two nursing assistants, a health center administrator, and a rotating camp doctor. We’ve also boosted our mental health support, with four social workers now available each session.

Staffing & Training

Our commitment to providing the best possible experience extends to investing in our people.

  • Expanded Staff Support: We’ve increased the number of counselors per cabin, striving to have four staff members in each cabin for more individualized attention. We also added a dedicated rookie coordinator to support first-year campers.
  • Training: We’ve lengthened staff training, provided off-season leadership training, and sponsored mental health and first aid training for our CITs, ensuring our staff is well-prepared for the challenges of camp life.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, we’re excited about the future:

  • 2025: We’re continuing to remodel staff housing to provide better accommodations for staff. We’ve also upgraded a building to house a lending library for campers.
  • 2026 and Beyond: We have ambitious plans for significant projects, including a long-awaited renovation of Crown Hall and updates to our maintenance facilities, ensuring that our site can continue to serve the Beber community for decades to come.

A Commitment to the Future

The investments we’ve made over the last three years are about more than just keeping things running. They’re about creating a camp that feels timeless. A place where traditions are honored and new memories are made, year after year. We are committed to ensuring that Beber remains a thriving community for future generations. Thank you for being part of this journey and helping us build a brighter future for Beber Camp.