CAMP Matters

This is the thirteenth season of CAMP Rehoboth, which means, if I continue the parent/child analogy, that it has reached its teenage years. That means that no matter what I do or say, the organization has grown into a life of its own, and there are now an enormous number of people who care about its future—who have invested in its future by the gifts of their time, talents, and financial support.

It has been a very busy summer for us because CAMP Rehoboth has grown in so many new directions. Now that September is finally here, I thought it a good time to catch my breath and take a look at some of the issues facing us now.

There has been some controversy this summer over the club AM using gathering permits from nonprofit organizations. As I explained in a recent letter to the Cape Gazette, the club approached us when they first opened about being the beneficiary of funds raised from liquor sales and we agreed to do so for the first couple of weekends the club was open. At the time we thought we were doing something good for the community, that would also benefit CAMP Rehoboth as well. The Liquor Board assured us that it was legal and would not jeopardize future events. We did not, as was misreported in the Cape Gazette, provide the gathering permit for Labor Day weekend, or any others beyond those already mentioned.

The whole issue has given us a good reason to reexamine our involvement and policy on events that we don’t directly produce, and I’m quite sure we will never again turn over our gathering permit without controlling the event and how it is used. That said, let’s move on to some of the more exciting things taking place at CAMP Rehoboth.

Sundance 2003 was a another great success, as Steve has already reported in his column—netting $178,000 for Sussex County AIDS Committee and CAMP Rehoboth. As production designer and manager, it is an extraordinary event and I am delighted to be a part of it. From my perspective it is extraordinary because of the people involved. I am always dazzled by the level of commitment that people are willing to make to the event. There is a joke among certain extremely committed volunteers who I couldn’t function without, about being Sundance slaves. I would call them magicians instead, as I have but to show them the designs on paper, and they make it happen. From lights and sound, bars, flowers, food, graphics, ticket sales, decor, and auction set-up and breakdown, over 150 volunteers are involved. Please take a look at this list of amazing people on pages 10, 11 and 13. It includes volunteers, auction donors, Sponsors, Supporters and Hosts.

Another exciting milestone was reached this summer as CAMP Rehoboth’s Founders’ Circle passed the halfway point in its goal to raise a million dollars for the capital campaign to build our new Community Center at 39 Baltimore Avenue. After all the workshops and years of planning, it’s going to be thrilling to see the actual plans begin to emerge from architect Bob Hotes and his team at DPK&A. As a quick update, the property was purchased last year, and the architectural firm selected, and we’re hoping to begin construction by the fall of 2005. The plan calls for rebuilding the large building on the front of the property that now houses the CAMP Rehoboth offices. It would include three floors, plus a full basement. The main floor will house the administrative offices, information and referral services, library and resource center, and gallery space; the second floor is shaping up to be a large multipurpose room with a kitchen; and the smaller third floor will be flexible space for support groups and other meetings. The basement would include a special projects room, work area, and storage. The building would, of course, be handicapped accessible and have a full size elevator.

The remainder of the property at 39 Baltimore Avenue will continue, at this time, as rental property. That includes the spaces occupied by Lambda Rising, Lori’s Café, Community Pride Financial Advisors, and the apartment that Steve and I have rented since 1990. The rent we all pay, including CAMP Rehoboth, basically covers the mortgage on the property. The plan is to keep the courtyard as a public space. It was the hope of the Board, that having rental property would help to provide income for the Community Center in the future. Of course, it also provides room for the Center to expand if that need should ever arise.

We are very excited that Andrea Andrus, our Founders’ Circle director will become a full time employee this fall, and assume the role of Development Director for the whole organization.

I mentioned earlier about writing a letter to the Cape Gazette, in the issue that followed, someone who doesn’t seem to have much use for us, accused Steve and I of enjoying certain unspecified "perks." At first I was puzzled—what perks, I wondered? And then it hit me, he was absolutely right. There are perks that come from being involved with CAMP Rehoboth. I get to work with a staff and a Board of Directors who I love and respect and who do incredible work for this community. Everyday I witness the joyful and diverse way that volunteers contribute to our work and to this town. Over the years this organization has pushed me creatively in ways I could never have imagined. It has taught me—and is still teaching me everyday—the greatest lessons of my life. It has assured that my life is full of activity, and passion, and vision. It has taught me how to turn despair into joy, and to celebrate every day, even the ones that occasionally seem too painful to get through.

So it seems, I’ve come face to face with my thirteen year old child. Like life with most teenagers, I never know what will happen next—and there’s sure to be growing pains at every step along the way—but I love every minute, and I am thankful for the chance to be a part of this community and this amazing little placed called Rehoboth Beach.

Murray Archibald is President of the CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors.