Director's Corner - Wednesday, June 19
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
The Heat is On
“Oh-ooh-oh-oh, oh-ooh-oh-oh
Caught up in the action, I've been looking out for you
Oh-ooh-oh-oh, oh-ooh-oh-oh
Tell me, can you feel it?
Tell me, can you feel it?
Tell me, can you feel it?
The heat is on
The heat is on
The heat is on
Oh, it's on the street
The heat is... on”
It was definitely a hot day today on the shores of Lake Beulah, but campers kept cool in their hobbies. I can’t believe we are already done with our third day of hobbies. And I'm definitely looking forward to a cool down tomorrow!
Speaking of hobbies, I want to share some information about our hobby program here at Beber. Our hobby program is an integral part of our daily schedule. Campers have three hobby periods each day for five days. They customize their hobbies by choosing from a wide range of fantastic opportunities during hobby signups. Our area director team, led by our hobby director, oversees staff responsible for facilitating hobbies geared towards teaching and perfecting skills within the five-day hobby rotation. If a camper feels a hobby isn’t the right fit after the first day, they can switch to a more appropriate one, further exemplifying customization and camper choice.
During staff training, the area directors work with hobby leaders on a curriculum that focuses on both skill development and fun in a safe and well-supervised environment. In a single day at Beber, campers can learn to get up on waterskis, make a ceramic bowl, and traverse the challenge course. By the end of the session, campers will have participated in nine different hobbies, gaining a well-rounded experience. Some campers have favorite areas, and our unique program allows them to try several hobbies in each major area, while others branch out and try a little of everything. Every hobby period, we meet at the iconic Beber hobby wheel, where campers break out to meet their hobby leaders at various signs around the wheel. By day two, everyone knows exactly where to go, and it works like a well-oiled machine, enabling our campers to maximize their time in each activity. I cannot wait to introduce you to our hobby team in a future Director's Corner.
In the spirit of trying new things, I tried my hand at the newest challenge course today. I was impressed by the patience of the climbing staff while I navigated the elements. I felt challenged, but the staff were extremely encouraging and genuinely excited for me when I completed the course. I also played lacrosse for the first time today, and it was a lot of fun. I love that campers are willing to teach me skills they have perfected.
During my travels around camp today, I got a sneak peek at the Makor dance hobby campers learning a dance to three different songs. They were eager to perfect their dance and make it a standout in the Fine Arts Festival at the end of the session. I played some basketball with campers and watched the movie-making hobby get footage for a short film to be shown at the Fine Arts Festival.
Today's Meals:
- Breakfast: Chocolate chip and regular pancakes with fruit
- Lunch: Mac and cheese with a fried mac and cheese treat
- Dinner: Indoor BBQ (due to the heat)
Tonight, the entire camp gathered in Crown Hall for the staff talent show. Per tradition, the show opened with a performance by the Beber Band “Lo-”Key”-Ha”. This year's music staff has a vast array of talents, from drums to guitar, keyboards, flute, and trumpet. Various staff groups performed parodies of popular songs, danced, and played instruments. Campers supported them with shout-outs for their counselors and hobby leaders and loud cheers. I even got up and performed a number with the staff.
P.S. Congratulations to the following who knew that Katy Perry sang “Roar!”
- Jill R
- Dana B
- Patty S
- Hannah R
- Anne R
- Faina S
- Courtney M
- Amy B
- Lani P
- Vickie S
Who sang “The Heat Is On?” And bonus question: what movie was the song in? Email your answer to trivia@bebercamp.com for a shoutout in tomorrow’s blog!