CAMP Connect

CAMP Rehoboth has cleared another hurdle! On Monday, April 23rd, we had a hearing before the Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustments to seek a parking variance that, if denied, would have had a major impact on our ability to move forward with the addition to CAMP Rehoboth. Now this will come as no surprise—CAMP Rehoboth really did not fit any designation in the City of Rehoboth Beach’s building code. (We are the only community center.) So, the City categorized us as an office building and, with the 2,500 square foot addition, we would have been required to have 12 parking spaces on our site.

I am thrilled to report that the members of the Board of Adjustments appeared to be very considered, practical people. They recognized the unusual nature of CAMP Rehoboth, noted that it was arbitrary to place us in the "office building" category, and waived the 12 parking spaces requirement.

As an old League of Women Voters "government watcher," I was intrigued to see the government process in action in Rehoboth Beach. As a community member, I was reassured by the thoughtful deliberation demonstrated by the Board. Finally, as a member of CAMP Rehoboth, I was very grateful for the kind words said and implied by the Board in regard to the role CAMP Rehoboth plays in the City of Rehoboth. It was really quite reaffirming to be acknowledged as such an integral part of the community.

I was channel surfing a couple of weeks ago and I came upon a program, maybe on the Discovery or Travel channel, about buildings belonging to different religions. The beauty of the architecture captured me. (I think I was transported back to my Art History 101 class.) The styles were tremendously varied but all of the buildings were truly beautiful in their own individual ways. I was so struck by something the commentator said that I wrote down the key words so I could think more about my initial reaction. He said that what the buildings had in common was that each congregation shared a pride in the institution, a sense of belonging to something greater and a common belief.

Do you know where I’m going with this? Now, I don’t for a minute equate our community to a religion (for oooh so many reasons). However, we would not be successful with building the community center if we did not share a pride in the institution, a sense of belonging to something greater and a common belief. Human beings seek a connection. If you are lucky enough to live in Rehoboth Beach, you may have a government body share your vision.

Founders’ Circle

To each of you who donate to CAMP Rehoboth, we offer the heartfelt thanks of our board of directors and staff. While the Founders’ Circle is closed to new memberships, many members have chosen to add to or upgrade their own memberships. The result is that our current totals stand at $1,302,124.17 pledged with $1,019,417.37 of those pledges being fulfilled.