CAMP Connect

Some of my best moments as a parent and as a teacher were watching when a child had an "ah hah!" moment. One example of this was when I read a story to children about wild animals and showed them the pictures. They thought they knew what I was talking about. They could tell me that the zebra is the one with stripes and the leopard has the spots. Then, when you took them to the zoo, you knew by the expression on their faces that they really had an understanding of the animal. (They had the "ah hah!" moment.) I am sure that a number of you can relate to something similar in your own lives.

Since we have displayed the architect’s drawings of the new wing to the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, many people have stopped by and have taken the time to really look at the design for the building and the CAMP Courtyard. Without fail, some portion of the plan has caused them to have an "ah hah!" moment. For some, it is the size of the addition; for others, it is the realization that there will be a stage in the multi-purpose room and still others are really impressed with the proposed changes to the CAMP Courtyard.

The staff here at CAMP Rehoboth is certainly looking forward to all the building improvement for both our ability to better serve the public and for the space to be more efficient. However, it is the community members who have viewed the construction plans for the building and received it with such great enthusiasm that fuels our excitement for the new addition. And I must say, it has made it all the more real to have couples come in to discuss plans for their commitment ceremonies to be held in the new addition in the fall of 2008.

Just as those couples will be taking a leap of faith by committing to each other in a formal ceremony, this community is doing much the same in committing to this building project. We are, in fact, saying that we believe there are enough people who share our vision for this Community Center and what it represents that we will make the financial commitment to do our share in this long-term relationship. Murray has outlined in CAMPmatters the specifics of how you may choose to give through the GEM Club or for a specific item or space on the Wish List.

I hope you will read it thoughtfully and pledge to be part of our community’s home in Rehoboth Beach. The mailback form appears on page 8 of the paper edition.

Founders’ Circle

The CAMP Rehoboth board of directors has chosen Bancroft Construction Company to build the addition to CAMP Rehoboth. The first step for them will require removing the old restaurant kitchen section of our existing building. As you can imagine, excavation for the addition’s foundation will follow. (Perhaps we should begin producing our "Pardon Our Mess" signs soon.) We will keep you informed with photos in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth as we progress. Our Founders’ Circle member contributions have brought the totals to $1,377,703.60 pledged and $1,124,144.02 contributed. Our deep appreciation goes to the Founders’ Circle members who continued to make the expansion possible.