Director's Corner - Wednesday, August 7
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
This is the Time
This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days to hold on to
Cause we won't, although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
But now I need the rest of you
What a day! Very bittersweet. Today marks the conclusion of our session's regular activities, and it's hard to believe we'll be saying goodbye in just over 24 hours. Time flew by as we kept ourselves busy with countless enjoyable moments!
Our day began with the final round of cabin activities and hobbies. The morning kicked off with campers enjoying their last rides on the ski boats, scaling the climbing wall, and engaging in arts and crafts. Campers had a fantastic time bonding with their hobby friends around camp, playing games, making bracelets, sharing stories, and cherishing their final moments with their beloved hobby leaders. I feel so fortunate to have spent a lot of time with campers. I was able to drive a ski boat a few times and play a lot of basketball and ultimate frisbee. Several campers told me they were able to slalom which is quite an accomplishment. We are having so much fun!
Meals:
Breakfast: Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets and Fries
Dinner: Banquet Dinner
This afternoon, our CITs celebrated their graduation with a memorable ceremony as they officially have completed their camper summers and hopefully will be back next summer as staff. They worked so hard this session and they have been an integral part of the success of this summer. Their campers love them and their “co” counselors have really appreciated having their fresh energy and support in bunk. They are going to make excellent staff!
After wrapping up our hobbies, everyone freshened up and dressed up for our banquet. We started with Mocktails on the Island, where campers mingled, snapped photos with friends, nibbled on snacks, and sipped fruity, fizzy drinks to the beat of some tunes all supporting the banquet theme of “Written In the Stars!” It's always heartwarming to see everyone dressed up and our hobby teams proudly wearing their team shirts complete with iconic memories of the summer working with campers in their areas.
Following the socializing and singing, campers proceeded to the dining hall for a special Banquet dinner. They were treated to a pasta bar featuring marinara and garlic butter sauces, an array of pasta types, pesto pasta, garlic rolls, and sautéed veggies. We even had fried rice and salmon, brought back from our 3-day fishing trips to round out the meal. Pop accompanied their meal, and dessert delighted with various slices of assorted pies. The banquet's theme transformed the dining hall into a starry nightscape where each camper could find their name written in their own large gold star! Again, a huge thank you to the kitchen staff. We have an incredible team led by Abdiel and Chuck. They work so hard to make sure the campers are well fed. And another shoutout to our program team who keeps the creativity flowing all summer long. They have a real team mentality and work together to support the facilitation of these amazing all camp programs, all summer long.
Post-dinner, each division held a closing program where they wrote heartfelt bus notes, celebrated their bonds through polaroid snapshots, and reflected on their session experiences. These moments were poignant reminders of how much they've grown and connected since their opening day. During this final divisional program, there is a bittersweet feeling as we acknowledge the end of our time together. We feel sadness that it's coming to a close but also deep gratitude for the experiences, friendships, and connections we've formed throughout the summer.
Later in the evening, divisions enjoyed a DJ'd dance with contests, plenty of singing, and energetic dancing. Special recognition goes to Arianna Rozen and her team from Vibe for their exceptional performance during the Makor/Kesher and Ramot dances, which added to the excitement of our end-of-session festivities. Campers sang at the top of their lungs and danced their hearts out to their favorite camp songs with their best camp friends. There even was a foam machine. Anyone looking for entertainment for their B’nai Mitzvahs, she and her team is exceptional and all of the campers had an amazing time.
The night continued with some bunks extending the fun with late-night adventures. It truly was an incredible event and a fitting celebration of our time together this session. Tomorrow, we look forward to Beber Fest and the second half of our Fine Arts Festival, which I'll cover in tomorrow's blog. These amazing nights are coming to a close. Even though I am sad, I am fulfilled in knowing that the campers are leaving a little tanner, a lot more confident, and with memories that will last a lifetime - “This is the Time!”
P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that actor Josh Gad sang "In Summer.”
Brian B
Jessica F
Debra C
Leanna W
P.S. - Today’s question: Who sang the song "This is the Time?” Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!