Director's Corner - July 4, 2024
Thursday, July 4, 2024
America the Beautiful!
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Our Ramot and Kesher campers have returned from their exciting adventures, and it was fantastic to see them step off the bus, full of stories and smiles. They quickly set up and swept out their tents on lower camp, getting everything ready for the next session. Working as a team, they unloaded all their camping supplies, demonstrating not only efficiency but also a deeper appreciation for the effort behind organizing their trips. It is a TON of work!
It was quite a sight to see all the tents piled high in the utility vehicle, ready to be taken back to the camping room. With over 75 tents sent out for their trips, the campers showed remarkable teamwork and responsibility. The health center was on standby to provide any needed medical assistance immediately, instead of waiting for the usual clinic call after dinner. As they got off the bus, they were met by a program team member who gave them the plan for unpacking and asked about their trip highlights and biggest accomplishments. Their responses were truly inspiring, ranging from overcoming fears of camping to conquering mountains and biking long distances. This is why we emphasize our tripping program—it helps campers realize their potential and achieve real success. What an invaluable life lesson!
After unloading their gear, the campers enjoyed well-deserved showers, picked up their freshly washed laundry, and tidied up their cabins. Before dinner, they had the chance to play games on lower camp and catch up with friends they missed while away. I strolled around and witnessed them excitedly sharing their adventures and fun experiences.
Tonight’s GA was filled with fun as campers reconnected with friends and staff from all divisions. They played Kan Jam, basketball, and relaxed on the Blue swing and hammocks. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone back together again.
For the evening program, Ramot and Kesher campers reunited with their trip groups to fill out evaluations, providing valuable feedback to improve future trips. They offered great suggestions and gave shout-outs to the exceptional staff who supported them. It was wonderful to hear about the new friendships formed and the exciting activities they tried. The campers felt safe and well-cared-for, which is our top priority. Each trip group did a small closing activity before rejoining their bunks to finish the session and come back as one unit after being apart for three days.
I’m thrilled to have them all back at camp, a bit tanner, stronger, and filled with pride and memories that will last a lifetime.
Makor came back from their overnight this morning also feeling accomplished. For many of them this was their first time sleeping in a tent and even though it may take some adjustments at first, they we sharing stories of the fun they had with friends in their tent and making s’mores by the fire.
For the morning, Makor spent some time running the aquapark and paddling on the lake. In the afternoon they chose games to play in small groups as well as an interesting version of baseball with tennis racquets and tennis balls. They also completed evaluations of their program for Makor Mania and the feedback has been incredible. They really enjoyed having the camp to themselves and getting to do creative activities. I really enjoyed having this extra bonding time with them.
Meals
Breakfast: Waffles and strawberries
Lunch: Quesadillas
Dinner: Spaghetti and Meatballs
PIOs also continued their day with creative programming. They did a rock painting program to stir their creativity and tie in to the celebration of the Fourth of July. They hopped out on the lake for a little paddleboarding and played a fun game of Blindfolded Ball Bonanza. They ended their day with a competitive lip sync battle to round out their fun during Makor Mania. As I watch this team of young adults, I see the emergence of future, successful staff and it makes me so proud.
The CITs have been wrapping up their time working with capers with disabilities at the Rocky Mountain Village Camp. This experience has taught them compassion, resourcefulness and leadership all while instilling the values that make a great counselor. They went on an adventurous white water rafting trip on the Colorado River which challenges them physically and mentally while creating a sense of pride in the realization that to conquer your fears may lead to extreme enjoyment! They return to Beber tomorrow evening to join our community for Shabbat and I cannot wait to debrief the trip with them and hear their own personal stories of their journey.
Happy Fourth of July, America the Beautiful!
P.S. Congratulations to those who knew that Louis Armstrong sang “What a Wonderful World!”
Wendy E
Jill R
Dennis P
Jessica F
Who wrote the song “America The Beautiful?” Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!