Though none of us is prescient enough to be able to accurately predict everything that is to come (and I’m not sure life would be very exciting if we could), visioning the future helps us to shape our own lives and the world in which we live. At the very core of the CAMP Rehoboth name we are called upon to Create A More Positive Rehoboth. That positive, future directed attitude has helped create a vision and a guide for CAMP Rehoboth for the last 16 years.

No, we can’t predict the future, but we can speculate on it based on experience and current affairs and by keeping our eyes on what we believe to be the goal. We look to the future in many different capacities—as individuals, as organizations, as families, and as communities—but in no matter what way we peer into the future the choices are easier if we have a goal.

In the last issue of Letters and in preparation for the Black and White Beach Ball I offered a brief history of CAMP Rehoboth. I think it is interesting to note from that history, that though the original idea of CAMP Rehoboth contained the concept of being a community center, it was not until after the vision and mission of the Community Center was established that we began to make it a reality—and then it came with astonishing speed. Five years ago CAMP Rehoboth was renting a small space, now we have two properties valued at $4,000,000, a renovated and functional Community Center space with offices and public meeting rooms, and rapidly developing plans for the next phase of construction. I have, by the way, included those plans with this column so as to keep everyone connected to the project. I will stress again, as I did at the Black and White Ball, that these are not final and the Building Committee still has work to do on them.

As I also said in the last issue, we still have a way to go before we can afford to do all we want to do, but my experience with this community has been that it rises to meet whatever challenge comes along. If we can see it—if we can vision it—we can make it happen.

In recent years, after we acquired the additional property that houses our current space, we began to refer to the whole property as a CAMPus. Looking at the plans below, it is easy to see it as a CAMPus, a collection of buildings and spaces—both interior and exterior—that work together to create a central public space that has, over the years, become, and will continue to be, a vital, vibrant part of our community. For 16 years—long before we really began to focus specifically on the Community Center—we operated the courtyard as a public space. It was our first Community Center, and I know from looking after it for all of those 16 years, that eventually almost everyone shows up in it.

To the Board of CAMP Rehoboth and our Building Committee, the courtyard is one of the most important parts of our Community Center. Our decision to purchase the additional property was certainly influenced by our wanting to both protect and expand the courtyard space.

Right now, the rental units that are a part of the property are helping us to pay the mortgage. Someday need may cause us—or whoever comes after us—to rebuild one or more of the buildings on the site or to simply allow the leases to run out and convert them to additional Center space. My feeling is, and I’ve said this many times before, that the income from some or all of those spaces may always be necessary for the financial support of the Center. Plus they provide a service to us as well. In this age of the internet, gay and lesbian bookstores may not be as vital to our community as they once were, but I would hate for Lambda Rising not to be nearby.

On a personal level, Steve and I both want to see the Community Center able to stand on its own—to survive long after the present founders and builders have gone. The day will inevitably come when we step down as leaders of CAMP Rehoboth and our goal is to leave it in good shape for those who come after.

No, I can’t predict the future or what will happen after we’re gone, but I can imagine the possibilities. Perhaps the Center will grow into a national GLBT Retreat and Conference Center. Maybe it will become a great GLBT arts center. Maybe it will simply continue to be the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center—a positive place that welcomes all people and strives to be the heart of its community.

What I can predict is that whatever happens to CAMP Rehoboth it will be the result of a loving, caring, supportive community who dares to dream dreams of a better time, a better place, and a better world.

Murray Archibald is an artist and President of the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth.

Call for Volunteers

CAMP Rehoboth is looking for volunteers willing to be trained for recurring and specific jobs, including grounds upkeep (courtyard sweeping, watering flowers, and light maintenance) and office assistants—especially for after hours and weekends. 302-227-5620.

Thank you to the following CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Volunteers for the period of June 3 - June 16

Bill Alldredge
Tony Burns
Sandra Chinchilla
Wendi Dennis
Ward Ellinger
Chuck Flanagan
Milt Gordon
Pat Hansen
Jennifer Harpel
Steve Hoult
Bill Hromnak
Allen Jarmon
Spencer Kingswell
Charlie Lee
Jim O’Dell
Judy Rolfe
Judy Rosenstein
Barb Rowe
Judy Safchic
Chris Sampson
Harvey Sharpe
Guillermo Silveiro
Sandra Skidmore
Ron Tate
Terry Wilkerson

The Rainbow Thumb Club

Steve Hoult—Coordinator
Tony Ghigi
Scott McHugh
Shawn Noel
Bud Palmer
Roy Perdue
Ken Reilly