Director's Corner - Tuesday, June 18
Director's Corner - June 18, 2024
Roar
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
It was an absolutely beautiful day here in Mukwonago! The sky was overcast but with that came a beautiful breeze coming off the lake, perfect for sailing. It also helped keep the heat down. Campers are getting into the routine, enjoying all the cabin activities, hobbies, and evening programs. Most importantly, they are making great connections with each other.
Speaking of connections, this was the theme of the day as the entire camp participated in the Mishpacha program this evening.
At Beber Camp, we believe in fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the walls of each cabin. Our Mishpacha program, which means "family" in Hebrew, is a cornerstone of this philosophy. This program is designed to create meaningful connections among campers of different ages, promoting a camp-wide sense of belonging and unity.
The Mishpacha program pairs younger campers with older ones, allowing them to form bonds that transcend their immediate peer groups. This structure provides younger campers with role models to look up to, fostering an environment where they feel supported and inspired. The older campers, in turn, gain valuable leadership experience and the joy of mentoring their younger peers. These relationships enrich the camp experience for everyone, helping to cultivate a nurturing and inclusive community. And it’s our Teen Leadership Program that provides this mentorship. They were the Imas (Mothers) and Abbas (Fathers) of each family and they led the entire camp in an evening of fun.
Beyond the immediate benefits of friendship and support, the Mishpacha builds on our Jewish value of Sacred Community which stresses the importance of looking out for one another. The connections made through this program often last far beyond the summer, creating a network of friendships that campers carry with them for years to come as they remain in their Mishpacha for most of their camp life.
Tonight's program was filled with engaging team-building activities and opportunities to get to know each other better, culminating in a heartwarming camp-wide song session.The Mishpacha program exemplifies our commitment to creating a camp environment that feels like a home away from home, where every camper is an essential part of our extended family.
As I guide you through your camper’s experience this summer by writing this blog, I will be referencing many aspects of our property that make it so special and unique to our family dynamic. To help you feel a part of the camp family and get a sense of where things are at camp, check out these 2 maps of camp.
Meals Today:
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, and a fruit and yogurt breakfast buffet.
- Lunch: Grilled cheese and tomato soup.
- Dinner: Beef tacos, Spanish rice, refried beans, chips, salsa, and guacamole.
Speaking of food, let's talk about the Canteen! Twice a week (Tuesday and Friday), campers get a special sweet treat. They choose one snack and one drink from a variety of options, including Twizzlers, Gardettos, Veggie Straws, Hershey Bars, Gatorade, soda, and juice boxes. Our office team gathers the bunk’s order, and counselors bring it back for rest hour. Campers sit around and enjoy their Canteen as a group, creating a special bunk bonding moment.
I told you last night I would share a little more about the Teen Leadership Programs and their programs from the previous night.
Last night's program involved a series of getting to know you games, geared towards bonding the group and personal reflection. The Pioneer (Pio) program is the first summer in a 2 year teen leadership program that culminates in a Counselor In Training (CIT) experience. The Pioneer program is during first session and brings together campers from the first and second sessions for the first time so there is a lot of getting to know you and creating a group dynamic. To help jump start this group bonding, the Pios will be going on a 3 day camping trip tomorrow!
Both the Pioneers and CITs have themes for the summer. The Pio theme is Piopalooza and the
CIT Theme is CITy of Dreams. Last night the CITs had a scavenger hunt to help reveal the theme and they ended at the pool with a closing to share aspirations about what they want to get out of their Colorado internship experience.
P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that Sly and The Family Stone sang “Everyday People!”
Carrie G
Vickie S
Who sang “Roar?” Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!
