Registration Open for Annual Block Party

On Sunday, October 15, CAMP Rehoboth’s annual Block Party returns to the second block of Baltimore Avenue. From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join local restaurants, caterers, businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations! Vendor registration and sponsorship opportunities are now available at camprehoboth.com/blockparty.

The event is CAMP Rehoboth’s largest annual outreach event. All ages are welcome. Admission is free but donations to benefit the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center are encouraged. An array of entertainment will take the stage in front of the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard.  

CAMP Rehoboth is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all participants. If you plan on joining us for Block Party and have needs related to accessibility, please contact Hope@camprehoboth.com. ▼

Thank You, Businesses, for Supporting CAMP Rehoboth!

CAMP Rehoboth extends its gratitude to the many businesses that this summer supported its mission to create a more positive environment for all sexual orientations and gender identities in Rehoboth Beach and beyond. 

Big Chill Restaurant Group donated $1,000 to CAMP Rehoboth from Pride fundraisers that included drag shows at Big Chill Surf Cantina and a Dine & Donate night with Mama’s Black Sheep at Big Chill Beach Club. Pictured: Laurie Thompson, Tori Dalton, and Tara Sheldon. 

Urban Float donated $500 to CAMP Rehoboth from new memberships acquired in June. Pictured: Amy Casas, Derrick Johnson, Laurie Thompson, Diane Winiarczy, and Alyssa Aswell. 

Bin 66 held a wine tasting featuring a wine from Stolpman Vineyards in California called Crunchie Roastie. All profits throughout June for Crunchie Roastie benefited CAMP Rehoboth. Pictured: Riley Quinn, Derrick Kelley, Matty Brown, Laurie Thompson. ▼

CAMP Rehoboth Awarded Grant

In July, CAMP Rehoboth Community Center was awarded a $300,000 grant from the state of Delaware. The award is part of the General Assembly’s allocation within the bond bill’s Community Reinvestment Fund, a capital grant program for local and community-based nonprofit organizations.

The grant will allow CAMP Rehoboth to invest in high-priority capital repair projects at the center. The projects will allow CAMP Rehoboth to expand accessibility, enhance safety, increase sustainability, and improve efficiencies, all resulting in cost savings. Additionally, the award will enhance space used for the delivery of vital CAMP Rehoboth services, and include several other renovations aimed at preserving the integrity of the property.

Projected renovations include the installation of solar panels, automatic doors, a lift, and a high-grade security system. Further, several repairs/upgrades are planned for the CAMPus, including new kitchens and bathrooms, and improved siding and awnings.

“CAMP Rehoboth is grateful for the State’s decision to invest in us and see us as a valuable resource in the community,” said Lisa Evans, Interim Deputy Director at CAMP Rehoboth. Kim Leisey, Executive Director at CAMP Rehoboth, said, “We are appreciative of the State’s support and look forward to the improvements which will allow us to continue serving others of all age ranges.”

Watch the CAMP Rehoboth website and social media to stay informed about how these projects will impact the center’s hours of operation. ▼

Imago Workshops Coming to CAMP Rehoboth

CAMP Rehoboth is excited to host first-time workshops with Maya Kollman, Master Imago Coach, the last weekend of September. First up, a singles workshop, “Keeping the Love You Find,” on Friday, September 28; next, a couples’ weekend workshop, “Getting the Love You Want,” on Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, October 1. To register, visit mayakollman.com. For more on Maya and her workshops, see Tara Sheldon’s piece on page 50. ▼ 

Passion Pride with Dogfish Head    

Throughout the summer, Dogfish Head’s Beer and Benevolence program has been showing support for CAMP Rehoboth. First, in June, a portion of sales on the Pride t-shirts in the merch store (the aptly-named Off-Centered EmPOURium) benefited CAMP Rehoboth. 

On August 4, Dogfish Head Brew Master, Brian Selders, and Head Brewer, Jake Leaf, invited CAMP Rehoboth Board member Teri Seaton, and Laurie Thompson, CAMP Rehoboth Development Manager, to participate in brewing the Passion Pride beer. “It was fascinating to see that brewing is a combination of high tech and manual processes,” said Laurie. 

Two Beer and Benevolence nights have been planned at Dogfish Head restaurant in Rehoboth Beach: the first was on Wednesday, August 9, and the second will be on Wednesday, August 23, from 4:00 p.m. to close (11:00 p.m.). For the latter, Passion Pride will be officially launched and available for purchase. A portion of the beer’s proceeds will be donated to CAMP Rehoboth. ▼  Pictured, L-R: Teri, Laurie, Jake

Bear Weekend Fun Ahead

Rehoboth Beach Bear Weekend is almost here! From Wednesday, September 13, through Sunday, September 17, many activities are planned. Among them are the CAMP Rehoboth Bear Art Show, with a reception and happy hour planned for September 16, 3:00-7:00 p.m., at CAMP Rehoboth. Check out rehobothbeachbears.com for more information on premier events on Friday and Saturday nights. ▼

Join CAMP Rehoboth’s AIDS Walk Team

On Saturday, September 16, AIDS Walk Delaware returns to both Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach, and Brandywine Park, Wilmington, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Reignite the Community.” The event is one of the biggest fundraisers for AIDS Delaware and the Delaware HIV Consortium, and CAMP Rehoboth is proud to once again be a sponsor. 
Visit camprehoboth.com for more information, including how to join the CAMP Rehoboth team. ▼

Presenting The Bell in the Fog

CAMP Rehoboth is excited to once again partner with the History Book Festival. This year, CAMP Rehoboth will partner on Lev AC Rosen’s The Bell in the Fog, with a presentation planned for September 30. While Rosen’s first book, Lavender House, is available for purchase now, The Bell in the Fog will not hit stores until October 10. That marks Rosen’s presentation as an exclusive first look!

The festival runs September 29 through October 1 across various venues in Lewes. Stay tuned to historybookfestival.org for the lineup. ▼

SpeakOUT

Dear CAMP Rehoboth Community,

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to CAMP Rehoboth for the lovely tribute to Natalie Moss, and to the entire CAMP Rehoboth Community for the outpouring of love and support. 

Natalie was a dedicated proponent of CAMP since its founding by Steve Elkins and Murray Archibald over 30 years ago. She served as Treasurer and Board member until December 2022. She handled all the financial aspects of CAMP Rehoboth, including bookkeeping and tax preparation, and was instrumental in securing CAMP buildings, mortgages, and grants. 

In addition, Natalie volunteered for numerous CAMP Rehoboth events, particularly Sundance (now SUNFESTIVAL). Working in the back room of the Rehoboth Convention Center with her capable team of volunteers, each year she tallied the results of the silent auction.

Contributing to the success of CAMP Rehoboth was truly a labor of love for Natalie.

I know her legacy will live on in the hearts of all, for which I will be forever grateful.

– Evelyn Maurmeyer

Send letters to the editor (up to 300 words) to editor@camprehoboth.com