LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Matters |
by Murray Archibald |
The Nature of CAMP Back when the idea for CAMP Rehoboth first came to me and I started playing around with the word "camp" I was especially delighted by its various meaningsplus, of course, the fact that the city itself was originally begun as a Methodist Church campground. A camp is a retreat and a place of recreationa place for vacationers. A camp is a group of people who advance a common opinion or cause. Gay camp is a special sense of humor that recognizes and celebrates the paradoxical absurdities of life in the world around us. It also implies a certain temporary quality that can easily be seen in the nature of a resort community. It is a home away from home. Oddly enough, although in retrospect a perfectly natural part of my life, I am the child of a Methodist minister, as are my parents and grandparentsone of whom was instrumental in the founding of a Methodist Church campground in north Georgia. My father was a Boy Scout leader and took the entire family camping every summer. The whole concept of camp always seemed quite natural to meso what if our camp is a little different than the ones that served previous generationsand goes back to some deep place in my soul. I could at this point plunge deep into a philosophical and spiritual discourse on the subject of who we are and how it shapes our lives. But fortunately, I suspect, for those of you reading these pages, I also have a fairly good sense of humor and have always appreciated a definition of camp that I stumbled upon years ago. It was in reference to the humorous side of camp and said, in effect, that the more serious we become about something, the campier we become. I believe, if memory serves me correctly that the illustration used was of Batmanperhaps the contrast between his intense belief in fighting evil and the absurdity of a man in tights (or just the Boy Wonder, for that matter). My point here is, I suppose, that we can be passionately serious and outrageously funny at the same time. I know from experience that every time I try to be wise and understanding and deep, I will most likely end up making a fool of myselfand that's ok because at least I'm trying, at least I'm feeling, at least I'm doing something. The problem only arises when we become so afraid of making a fool of ourselves that we stop participating in life, we stop being passionate, we stop getting involvedand most of all, we lose the ability to laugh at our own failures and weaknesses. As an organization CAMP Rehoboth has come a long way. I believe we've done a lot of good not just for the gay community here, but for the whole community. I also believe that the bigger we get the harder it becomes to stay true to who and what we are as an organization. When money and pride are involved, human nature makes us want to hold on tight, to not take chances, to travel a safe road. We become afraid of failure, and we run the risk of losing the spark that made us passionate in the first place. In order for CAMP Rehoboth to survive in the future, I believe, we must embrace all the meanings of the word camp. To some we are a summer retreat, to others we provide recreation. For some we are a temporary home away from home for others, a place of training, a place to connect with others of like mind and spiritand to some, I'm sure, we just provide a good laugh from time to time. Not long after this issue appears on the streets, the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth will gather for our annual day-long retreat. At that meeting I will be asking them to take a look at our mission, to spend a little time examining the places where we succeed and the places where we fail. I think too, that we will spend a little time with all the meanings of the word camp, with the philosophy behind the missionand the laughter as well. In my heart I know how serious I am about the work of CAMP Rehoboth, which should make me (according to the above definition) a real "camp" character, except that I don't think (in the odd paradoxical nature of camp) that I can declare that myself. Just like a nickname, it's not something one can bestow upon oneself. Still, from time to time, I catch a glimpse of myself in a passing window, hunched over, running back and forth, seriously intent on the work of CAMP Rehoboth, or my art, or Sundance, or the Follies, and well, what else can I do but laugh. And speaking of laughter...and camp... don't miss the CAMP Rehoboth Follies at the Convention Center on July 22. There's a cash bar and popcorn, so come early, find a seat, have a drink and a snack...and most of all, have a gay old time. Murray Archibald is Founder and President of the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth, and an artist in Rehoboth Beach. 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 assistantsespecially for after hours and weekends. 302-227-5620. Thank You to the following CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Volunteers for the period of July 1-July 14. Bill Alldredge James Andrews Cathin Bishop Tony Burns Frankie Chan Chuck Flanagan Nan Flesher Steven Janosik Charlie Lee Joe Mirabella Joie Rake Barb Ralph Chris Sampson Harvey Sharpe Guillermo Silveiro Laura Simon Sandra Skidmore Richard Snell George Whitehouse The Rainbow Thumb Club Steve HoultCoordinator Tony Ghigi Scott McHugh Shawn Noel Bud Palmer Roy Perdue Ken Reilly |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 16, No. 9 July 14, 2006 |