Meet CAMP Rehoboth’s New Staff
New Youth Coordinator
Hyde Nichols (they/them) joined CAMP Rehoboth’s staff as the new Youth Coordinator in October. They came from Portland, Oregon, where for five years they were an advocate and mentor for youth experiencing sexual exploitation, houselessness, and foster care. Now a resident of Rehoboth, Hyde is excited to continue their work as an advocate for local LGBTQ+ youth and continue the great work of former Youth Coordinator Barbara Antlitz, who spearheaded the YOUTH Up program at CAMP Rehoboth.
Hyde’s penchant for mentoring youth comes from a personal place. “I didn’t know I was trans/non-binary when I was young,” Hyde said. “The language we have today and examples of trans adults weren’t there for me.” Hyde also points to a common thread that’s present for a lot of trans and gender-nonconforming youth: they often do not see a future for themselves. “I never saw myself living past 25—I just thought I’d turn into a pumpkin or not be here.” Now just over 30, Hyde is excited “to show parents and youth that there is a future, and we have to create it for each other. It happens through community, mentorship, and open communication.” Please join us in welcoming Hyde!
New HIV Testing Staff
Amber Lee (she/her/hers) has lived in Sussex County since 2009. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she’s currently working on her master’s degree in human services at Wilmington University. As a Certified Nursing Assistant since 2003, Amber has previously worked with patients living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, and has specialized in working with veterans.
Previously, Amber volunteered with CAMP Rehoboth’s Young Professionals Group and as a mentor in CAMP Rehoboth’s YOUTH Up program. As a new HIV Testing Counselor, Amber is excited to be “supporting the community and helping to reduce the stigma of HIV.” On what that stigma may look like nowadays, from Amber’s perspective, “the younger generation don’t necessarily understand what the older generation went through with this virus,” noting how CAMPSafe’s prevention and education programs are crucial for the community at large.
Deborah Bosse (she/her/hers) is a nurse educator, with experience in public health, peri-operative services, and everything OR (operating room). Deborah earned her master’s in nursing education and moved to Lewes from northern Virginia two months before the lockdown. Now, she says, she’s “finally excited to get out into the community!”
In her new role as an HIV Testing Counselor, Deborah is excited at the opportunity to create a safe space for people to get tested and to make people feel comfortable about getting tested. Deborah looks forward to creating spaces for folks to feel safe asking questions, and to give them the care they need. On the importance of a program like CAMPsafe, Deborah hopes others understand that “HIV education and prevention is important—you have to have it. It’s important to give folks the tools they need to make well-informed choices about their sexual health and avoid risk factors.”
Join us in welcoming Amber and Deborah! ▼
Rapid-fire Questions for New Staff
Biggest passions
Hyde: I’m passionate about social justice and empowering our most marginalized/oppressed. Black Lives Matter means a lot, and Indigenous rights and sovereignty, too.
Amber: I love advocating for the LGBTQ community and creating safe spaces. Other than that, hiking, gardening, and traveling anywhere for a day or week.
Deborah: It’s the nurse within me; treating people with dignity and respect and making them feel comfortable is paramount. Also, using pronouns and addressing people how they’d prefer is important.
Most recent binge
Hyde: The L Word: Generation Q.
Amber: The Zoo on Animal Planet about the Bronx Zoo.
Deborah: On Amazon, I love specials by Eddie Izzard, an English trans comic and actor. Plus, You on Netflix is a good psychological spellbinder.
Latest music obsession
Hyde: Megan Thee Stallion is my main celebrity crush. Princess Nokia, too—I saw her in Philly.
Amber: Adele’s “Easy on Me”—it has such a universal message.
Deborah: I love Elton John—I have tickets to his farewell tour in September 2022!
Most irrational fear
Hyde: The ocean. I can slip my feet in, though!
Amber: Spiders!
Deborah: I’m not going to tell you that!
Favorite dish
Hyde: Enchiladas and breakfast sandwiches. Don’t get me started about when they can combine the two!
Amber: Shrimp or crab, and especially shrimp tacos.
Deborah: Anything seafood—lobster, crab, shrimp. ▼
Music & Memory Program Set to Come to a Library Near You
Music & Memory, a partnership between the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, Friends Music & Memory Project, and Sussex County Public Libraries, is a free program designed to use personalized music for enjoyment and to improve the quality of life for people with memory issues. Supported by scientific research and anecdotal evidence, it can be used any time throughout the day to calm as well as uplift and bring individuals into the present. Music & Memory can be used for those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, chronic pain, in dialysis, and in hospice.
To participate, contact info@camprehoboth.com to fill out an application. A certified volunteer will meet with you to develop a personalized playlist and load music onto an MP3 player. Participants will be able to check out completed Music & Memory kits with a Delaware library card and can keep the kits as long as needed. Kits are available at libraries in Georgetown, Lewes, Milford, and Seaford. ▼
CROP at the Food Bank
It was another great day at the Food Bank on November 2! The CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program (CROP) team of nine filled over five pallets—388 boxes of nutritious food items provided by the US Department of Agriculture. That’s 388 families who will receive a much-needed boost to their kitchen pantries. CROP’s next outing to the Food Bank will be Tuesday, January 4. ▼
Holiday Handmade Market
’Tis the season! Shop for this year’s stocking stuffers from a variety of local artists and makers at CAMP Rehoboth for the Holiday Handmade Market Extravaganza on December 10 from 4-8 p.m. With no entry fee, support local artists and vendors who offer one-of-a-kind items. Stay tuned to CAMP Rehoboth’s socials and camprehoboth.com for more info. ▼
Introducing the Lesbian Widow Social Network
You’re invited to join us for a networking meeting for all LGBTQ women who are widows. The first meeting will be on January 5, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at CAMP Rehoboth. The group will tentatively meet on the first Wednesday of every month thereafter. At the first meeting the group will brainstorm about social events and activities they would like to participate in together. Join us! ▼