Here we go again! Welcome to the 26th year of CAMP Rehoboth and the 26th season of this magazine—Letters from CAMP Rehoboth! After our amazing 25th Anniversary celebration throughout 2015, the new year is a great time to focus on the future, and we look forward to the continued success of CAMP Rehoboth for another 25 years. For those of you who especially enjoyed our 25th Anniversary Block Party last October, I’m very pleased to announce that the second annual CAMP Rehoboth Block Party has been added to our list of events for 2016. Our thanks to the City of Rehoboth Beach for allowing us to make this very festive occasion more than just a one-time happening!
A new year never arrives without its own set of challenges, and one of the biggest ones facing CAMP Rehoboth in 2016 is the closing of the Convention Center during the year-long City Hall expansion. The Rehoboth Beach Convention Center has been the home of countless CAMP Rehoboth events over the years, and we are making adjustments throughout the year. Already this season, there have been changes: first, there was no Starburst Gala on New Year’s Eve, and second, Women’s FEST has relocated its center of operation to the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center (more about the CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST in a moment). As to the production of major concerts (like Well-Strung in 2015), our strategy at this point is to provide a variety of entertainment at smaller venues, like the three recent sold-out, performances of The S* Show at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. As to Sundance, stay tuned, we should have plans finalized by the end of March.
As is our custom here at CAMP Rehoboth, the first quarter of every year has been designated as our annual Membership Drive. In the years since the creation of the CAMP Rehoboth Membership Program, the income it provides has grown to almost 20 percent of our annual budget. Members are making our many CAMP programs and services possible—including operation of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, and all the support groups, activities, and events that happen in it. As we begin our Membership 2016 campaign, please consider renewing or upgrading existing membership levels, or if not a member, please consider becoming one. As this year’s Membership Drive begins, I’d like to say thank you to the Membership Committee, and especially to its chair, and member of the CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors Jane Blue, as well as the office staff, and our volunteer CAMP-cierges who keep things running smoothly in the office.
One of the benefits of being a CAMP Rehoboth member is advance notice of ticket sales for CAMP Rehoboth produced events, so beginning on February 1, CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST tickets went on sale to members only. This issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth comes out of February 12, and about the same time, FEST tickets will be available to the public, as well. It is worth noting, I think, that all ticket sale notifications occur by email. Anyone, members and non-members alike, who have ever unsubscribed from our Constant Contact email list, will not receive a notification of any kind. To re-subscribe, call the CAMP Rehoboth office for instructions.
Back to Women’s FEST! Yes, as I said, by the time this magazine is in the hands of most of our readers, ticket sales to Women’s FEST will be open to all—and going fast I’m sure. All the information about Women’s FEST and how to order tickets or purchase a FEST Pass is available on the CAMP Rehoboth website. Don’t miss our exciting line-up of performers, including Indigo Girl Emily Saliers. A CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST Pass is the best way to enjoy Women’s FEST and all that it has to offer. Also, get in line now to buy raffle tickets for Women’s FEST Presenting Sponsor Olivia Travel’s amazing South Pacific Cruise to Tahiti, sailing August 20-27, 2016.