I’m sitting at my desk holding a copy of the CAMP Rehoboth 2007 calendar. This is not the calendar listing that will appear on the pretty "save-the-date" card that will soon go out to the CAMP Rehoboth mailing list, but rather, the working calendar for the staff, Board, volunteers, production teams and committee members who will be responsible for making it all happen. This calendar contains the events on the "save-the-date" card, sure, but it also contains the information that will make them possible—things like: "Women’s Conference brochure to printer, CAMPsafe written concepts due to Sal," and "Sundance web site update complete," to name a few. The calendar is a behind-the-scenes look at the year ahead, and, I suspect, the reason that time seems to be passing so swiftly. A part of me loves the organization of it; another part of me regrets the lack of spontaneity it implies about our life. Such is life.

Actually, the 2007 calendar isn’t all that different from the one that preceded it, or the one before that. The real change comes in the knowledge that by the end of the summer season (which is, by the way, only seven months away), we’ll be ripping the back side off of our offices, digging up the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard and beginning construction on Phase 2 of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. The real change is that on top of our normally busy schedule we’ll be adding the exciting and challenging task of completing all the details that go into making the construction possible—from financial matters to selection of new tables and chairs.

So as I sit here with calendar in hand, I thought it a good time to look out on the horizon of the year to come. CAMP Rehoboth is, after all, a community organization and keeping the community informed about the work we are doing and our needs and goals is a never-ending task. As with most organizations—be they non-profit or otherwise—the ability to communicate is paramount to success. The following is a report on some of the CAMP Rehoboth related projects, programs , activities and events on our 2007 calendar—as well as places where we need help.

Phase 2: The CAMP Rehoboth Community Center

The most exciting event of the year for us, of course, is that construction of the next phase of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center is scheduled to begin in September of this year—as soon after the summer season as possible. Over the winter the Building Committee and our architect Bob Hotes have been busy reworking the plans and developing a construction timeline for the year. By late spring the final designs and construction documents are scheduled for completion.

How to help: 1. Make a financial contribution (see Building Fund). 2. Underwrite the cost of a specific item on our wish list (i.e. the sound system in the multi-purpose room, or specific pieces of furniture or fixtures in the new building. 3. Volunteer to help the Building Committee with construction planning.

The Building Fund

Though donors are still paying their pledges and members may still upgrade their level of contribution, the CAMP Rehoboth Founder’s Circle capital campaign is officially over. That does not mean, of course, that we no longer need capital contributions—quite the contrary. The Founders’ Circle was the first step, now we are in the process of developing a permanent giving club that will provide steady support for the care, maintenance, and development of the Community Center. Though the details for this club are still in the works (including the name), contributions outside of Founder’s Circle pledges are still being accepted as capital contributions to the Building Fund.

How to help: 1. Make a financial contribution. 2. Share experience in setting up donor clubs or other related activities. 3. Volunteer for committees or workshops related to financial development.

CAMPsafe (and other health programs)

CAMP Rehoboth’s state funded HIV prevention program, CAMPsafe, is now beginning its 10th season and CAMPsafe director Sal Seeley has been working with his crew of talented designers to develop the 2007 CAMPsafe marketing campaign. Sal also provides on-site HIV testing and counseling, as well as managing all health related activities and programs at the Community Center—including a new on-line HIV prevention program in chat rooms.

How to help: 1. Volunteer to "stuff" condoms (all those little packages of condoms, lube, and information don’t just magically appear). 2. Volunteer to help Sal with condom distribution and beach and bar outreach. 3. Model for the CAMPsafe ad campaign. 4. Volunteer to help with one of the CAMP Rehoboth Health Days.

Women’s Weekend

The first big event of the year is always the CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Weekend (April 13-15) and its accompanying concerts, conference, brunch, parties and golf. Barb Fishel and Marti Austin will again co-chair the conference, Ellen Feinberg and Lesley Rogan the entertainment, (comedian Karen William and Suede), Barb Thompson and Evie Simmons the golf, and Jane Blue is in charge of the Brunch. The 2007 theme is A Woman’s Journey. The workshop brochure should be available by mid March.

How to help: 1. Volunteer for mailings or to help at one or more of the events (concerts, conference, golf, brunch). 2. Become a Sponsor.

HEART of the Community Art Project, Exhibition and Auction

In celebration of the sixth HEART of the Community Project, co-chairs Mary Beth Ramsey and Sondra Arkin have announced that this year’s theme will be Six Degrees of Separation. The Artist Guidelines, Schedule, and Registration Form and other information about this year’s HEART project should be in the mail by the time this issue of Letters is on the street. Artists not currently on the CAMP Rehoboth mailing list but who would like to receive the information should contact Beth Fitton at the CAMP Rehoboth office. The 2007 HEART of the Community paintings will be previewed at the HEARTists Preview Party at CAMP Rehoboth on May 26. The art will be auctioned at the Black and White Beach Ball the following weekend.

How to help: 1. Volunteer to help with the Preview Party (and other CAMP Rehoboth Community Center receptions). 2. Help with the art transportation and set-up at the B&W Beach Ball.

Black and White Beach Ball

Though the Founders’ Circle is officially over, the Black and White Ball will continue as an annual event for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center and is scheduled for June 2. Details about this year’s event as well as its eventual structure are still in committee discussions.

How to help: 1. Join the planning committee. 2. Sign up to help with decorations, set-up and break-down, or to work the event.

CAMP Rehoboth Art Review Committee

The support of art in our community is a part of the original mission of CAMP Rehoboth, and the Community Center has been and will continue to be designed to accommodate art exhibitions. At present, the CAMP Rehoboth Art Review Committee is working on guidelines for the art and exhibition spaces at CAMP Rehoboth, as well as the selection process that goes along with it. CAMP Rehoboth Exhibitions, One Person Shows, Group Shows, and Juried Shows are all under development by the committee.

How to help: 1. Underwrite the cost of the art hanging system or exhibition lights for the large multipurpose room in the new building (see Phase 2: The CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. 2. Volunteer to help with art receptions (hanging shows, serving food and drink).

Love Weekend 2007

With the Fourth of July holiday falling on a Wednesday this year, early stage planning for Love Weekend is focusing on combining the Retro Ball and the Main Event into one big Love Remixed—One Night Only party on Saturday, June 30.

How to help: 1. Join the Love Committee. 2. Host a pre-love sign-up and sponsor party. 3. Become a major sponsor. 4. Volunteer to help with event activities (set-up and breakdown, decorations, tickets, door, security).

Splash’07

Plans for Splash’07 are underway by the Splash Committee—chaired this year by Mary McElhone—but I, as yet, don’t know any details except that it is scheduled for July 14, at Convention Center.

How to help: 1.Volunteer to work the event. 2. Become a sponsor.

The CAMP Rehoboth Follies

The CAMP Rehoboth Follies Production Team got off to a fast start this year, recently deciding that the 2007 theme would be Fruit Cocktail. Guidelines reflecting that theme will soon be available at CAMP Rehoboth and the Team is working to enlist not only beach house groups but businesses and organizations as well.

How to help: 1. Create a skit and a troupe to enter the competition (skits must be under 8 minutes in length). 2. Become a sponsor of the event. 3. Volunteer to help with the event (set-up, breakdown, stage crew, usher, tickets, and publicity).

Sundance 2007

Our biggest event of the year, Sundance 2007 is especially important because it will be the 20th Anniversary Sundance and plans are underway to make it the best one yet. Though it’s too early in the season to have much detail about the event, I do know that we have numerous ways to get involved—even at this stage.

How to help: 1. Join one of the Sundance 2007 Production Teams (décor, auction, food, bar, graphics, tickets, publicity, and more). 2. Become a major sponsor (only $1000 + donations have logo placement). 3. Upgrade your host or sponsor level. 4. Find an exciting live auction item (travel packages, expensive art, celebrity items—like tickets to the Ellen Show, etc.). 5. In honor of the 20th anniversary, add $20 to everything you purchase for Sundance (tickets, prints, sponsor levels, and more).

I certainly haven’t covered the entire CAMP Rehoboth year, but it is only the first week in February. As we have more information about these events and activities (as well as the ones I didn’t mention like: The CAMP Rehoboth Golf Tournament, World AIDS Day and Student Art Show, CAMP Rehoboth Web site redesign, Starburst Gayla and more) we will do our best to provide updates in these pages.

I have a feeling this is going to be an especially exciting year for all of us, and that we’re going to need all the help we can get.

Stop by the Community Center and take a look at our plans or to volunteer.

Thank You

To all the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Volunteers for the period of November 22, 2006—February 7, 2007

Tony Burns
Jim Byrnes
Harvey Chasser
Robert Delancoe
Milton Gordon
Bill Hromnak
Stan Mills
Mary Morgan
Michael Muller
Jim O’Dell
Chris Sampson
Guillermo Silveira

Holiday Lights and Final Fall Cleanup

Murray Archibald
Beth Fitton
Allen Jarmon
Sharon Messina
Joe Mirabella
Guillermo Silveira
Sal Seeley
Kathy Weir

Gift wrapping

Cathin Bishop
Carol Dadds
Beth Fitton
Lynn Finaldi
Nancy Hawpe
Myra Kramer
Sharon Messina
Kathy Weir