Director's Corner - Sunday, June 23

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Eye of the Tiger

Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive
It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger

Last night was electric but today was Iconic! We just experienced one of the most anticipated events of the summer – Maccabiah! This cherished tradition at Beber is more than just a friendly competition; it’s a celebration of teamwork, camaraderie, and the incredible sense of community that defines our camp experience.

Maccabiah brings out the best in our campers as they come together to compete in a variety of challenges, from sports to arts to creative activities. It’s inspiring to see the dedication and effort each team puts into every event. The competition is fierce, but what stands out the most is the spirit of collaboration and mutual support. Our campers learn that success is not just about winning but about working together, supporting one another, and giving their best effort.  

On motto we have at Beber is “Challenge by Choice.”  By providing campers with several amazing choices during an activity period, there is a place for everyone to either try a new activity, stick with an old favorite, or cheer on the ones that are participating.  For example, first period campers could choose from a game of Nuk’em (a type of volleyball game where you can catch the ball), Ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball, gaga, or trivia.  Throughout the day, there are swimming events, track and field events, tug of war, a Beber relay, and our senior Ramot campers take their long awaited turn at a firebuilding/rope burning competition.  The night ends with a presentation of a song, banner, dance and cheer, which somehow get created during the busy activities of the day.  

Here is the write up on the theme presented to the campers last night:

ICONIC BEBER MACCABIAH - “ICONICCABIAH” - First Session 2024

‍Step into the world of Beber Camp, where every structure tells a story, and every memory is etched in the heart. Imagine the rush of swinging high on the Blue Swing during GA, capturing the essence of summer in bunk photos atop the Green Chair, pursuing passions at the Hobby Wheel, and descending the 72 Steps after a feast in the dining hall. These are the icons that shape our days and nights.

Yet, beyond these landmarks lies the true heart of Beber—a place where connections ignite, personal growth blossoms, and comfort zones are left far behind. Here, we live by the Beber mission, woven into our very existence at camp. It's what makes us iconic, living 10 for 2.

Now, let's celebrate all that makes Beber extraordinary! Create a banner, song, cheer and dance that incorporates all that makes Beber Camp iconic.

Above all, let's revel in the joy of participation, where happiness springs not from winning alone, but from the shared journey and the bonds we forge. Cheer on not only your team but every individual on this incredible adventure. Lift each other higher, express gratitude, and savor every fleeting joy of the day.

Whether you're Red, Yellow, Blue, or Green, remember—we are all icons here at Beber Camp. So, let's embrace the spirit that defines us, and let it guide us through the magic of this place we call home. Best of luck, and may our iconic spirit shine brighter than ever before!

We often talk about our Mishpacha – our family. Maccabiah is a time when this concept truly comes to life. Campers from different bunks, age groups, and backgrounds come together on teams, creating bonds that transcend the usual boundaries. The sense of unity and togetherness is palpable as our Mishpacha grows stronger with each cheer, each high-five, and each shared moment of triumph or challenge.

Having spent time together in the mishpacha program on Tuesday, the family groups came back together for this special day creating a stronger sense of belonging when the schedule is different.  It was so nice to watch our Senior Ramot campers hanging out at the Makor and Kesher events just to cheer on their Mishpacha members.  From the morning flagpole to the closing ceremony campers were exuding excitement about having the best camp day so far!  To see this from campers win or lose not only becomes a highlight of why we do this program but a life lesson that will hopefully follow them through life.  

Maccabiah is a microcosm of what makes Beber Camp special. It’s about more than just the competition; it’s about the community we build together. Whether we’re painting banners, strategizing for a relay race, planning a dance, or simply cheering each other on, every activity reinforces our shared values of respect, inclusivity, and love for one another.

As the youngest and oldest campers pass the torch to our staff captains, you can feel the anticipation and deep rooted love of this place in everyone.  Congrats to the YELLOW team. This was an unforgettable Maccabiah where we celebrated teamwork, the friendly competition, and most importantly, the community spirit that brought us together.  We certainly had a lot of laughter, joy and memories today that will last a lifetime.

P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that Marcia Griffiths sang “Electric Boogie!” It was written by Bunny Wailer so we’ll give credit to the following:

Anne R
Diane B

Who sang “Eye of the Tiger?” Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!

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