The seeds of everything Beam Center embodies in 2024 were planted in a New Hampshire forest; from the way we collaborate with public schools and teachers to create hands-on classroom projects citywide, to our Apprenticeship Program that prepares teenagers’ to make informed choices about meaningful labor and continual learning throughout their lives.

As we begin the 21st summer of Beam Camp camper enrollment and big project selection, it is impossible for me not to reflect on the central role that intentional and unintentional challenges play in Beam Center’s approach to cultivating environments for educational and developmental growth.

Taking pride in work does not generally come naturally to the adolescent; especially when that work originates in their own imagination or idea.

One of our key metrics of success in progress, therefore, is the “I made this face.”

This month’s installment of Beam’s Staff Spotlight series features our Beam Camp’s co-Director, Dondo Zakheim. Dondo has worked at Beam Center, Beam Camp’s umbrella organization, for 7 years during which they facilitated past summer day camp programs, in-school projects, and more.

Announcing the Beam Camp’s Co-Directors (+ a few sneak peeks at summer 2022)…