In recognition of CAMP Rehoboth’s 21st anniversary, we’re continuing our Volunteer Spotlight to honor many of the behind-the-scenes heroes that we’re so fortunate to have in our CAMP family.The Spotlight is an ongoing column in Letters and features recipients who’ve been selected by the volunteers themselves and you, our readers. If you know someone whose efforts are worthy of consideration, please make a nomination. We’ll be maintaining a database that will be used to help determine future recipients. Email Nomination
Josh Levie: Beach House Challenge and Life in Rehoboth
Born and raised in Washington DC, Josh earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Dickinson College in 2006 (Carlisle, PA). He returned to DC upon graduation and resides in his hometown, where his father is a judge, and his mother was an art educator.
An entrepreneur by nature, Josh is President/Owner of JEL Creative, Inc., a boutique graphic and web design/ development agency he established in 2009. He has conducted online business in more than a dozen countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, and specializes in human rights, technology, communications, consulting, and hospitality. Among many others, current clients include George Washington University and Capital Pride.
Prior to launching JEL, he was a Project Manager at TIG Global (TIGG) and in 2003 he became the first Website Intern at the Human Rights Campaign. Interests include photography, skiing, spending quality time with friends and family, lying on the beach, and enjoying culinary experiences out.
When/why did you start volunteering for CAMP Rehoboth?
I started volunteering in May 2010 with you (Chris Beagle), working to establish the Summer CAMP Beach House Challenge. I wanted to get involved with CAMP to help maintain Rehoboth as a safe and fun place where LGBT individuals and couples come to vacation, live and work. I also wanted to help ensure that people (especially those in house shares) don’t take for granted all that CAMP has done, and continues to do, to help make Rehoboth Beach what it is today. All of us need to continue to work to improve and progress upon it in the future.
What’s been your best memory volunteering here?
Setting up the House Challenge and getting other friends of mine involved. I was very pleased to hear several local business owners and other friends approach me about it again this year. It’s such a pleasure to be able to be involved with this effort.
What does CAMP Rehoboth mean to you?
A wonderful organization with dedicated staff and volunteers who are all working to maintain and improve a town that we all love for so many different reasons.
If you had an extra hour in the day, what would you do?
Be even more involved in the communities that I live in and love.
If you could spend a full day with one person, who would it be? Why?
It would be my older sister who by virtue of our age difference half raised me. She’s always been a best friend for me that I can laugh and cry with at anytime. I would love to have the opportunity at some point to bring her to Rehoboth so she can see where and what my life is like now and not just hear about it over the phone.
“Wouldn’t you like to be a CAMPer too?” How would you encourage someone to get involved with us?
I like to tell people about what Rehoboth was like before CAMP and what has changed since. I don’t want people to forget or take that for granted.
More self-disclosure…please provide a little known fact about you, until now that is.
I tear up at some of the smallest emotional moments in movies or TV shows, especially Brothers & Sisters. (That makes two of us, Josh!)
First thought that comes to mind when you hear the word “Rehoboth.”
Standing outside in the sand with good friends at Aqua.
Assuming you have any, what else do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to catch up on industry (design/web development) blogs and articles.
Cher’s not the only one who’d like to turn back time. If you could, what age/period would you return too? Why?
I would belt out in Cheresque style that I would like to turn back time to junior year abroad in Bologna, Italy—I miss the pace of life, beautiful Italian culture, and of course the amazing food and wine.
We know you already love Rehoboth, where’s your next favorite get-away? Why?
Going to my sister’s Lake House with family and friends in Eagle’s Mere, PA. It’s a small quaint lake vacation town in PA— with only one restaurant and a few antique stores.
Someone reading this wants to buy you a “thank you” beverage for your efforts here at CAMP Rehoboth. What would it be?
My new favorite summer drink—Skinny Margarita.
Friends are coming over for a dinner party? What’s your signature dish?
Pasta with sauce that I make from scratch.
We’ve seen many iconic entertainers over the years. Who’s your favorite? Why?
Certainly, Kylie. One of the times I realized I was gay was when I got the Fever album and hid it from my straight friends when I was coming out.
Entertainment: Favorite TV show? Movie? Entertainer?
Current favorites: Brothers & Sister’s, Modern Family, Sex and the City, and West Wing. Favorite movie is certainly The American President. Entertainers—they are typical gay icons: Kylie, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Robyn.
Sustenance: Favorite food? Beverage?
Favorite food: Tex-Mex—I can most certainly be found at least once a week at Lauriol Plaza in DC, or Dos Locos here in RB. Favorite drinks would be margaritas and nearly anything with vodka.
Special thanks to you, Josh. I’m proud to have worked with you to establish the House Challenge program here at CAMP Rehoboth, but am more proud to be your friend. It’s your generation that will someday be handed the torch to continue the important work we do here and I’m very confident you will be among them.