With the release of the March issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, we always know that springtime is not far away! Fortunately, at least here in Rehoboth Beach, this winter has not been a severe one—especially compared to the artic temperatures we endured in the previous two. Here at CAMP Rehoboth we are all looking forward to warmer weather. Already the town is waking up after the winter hiatus, and so is life in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard—Lori’s Café should be open by Easter weekend, and the new Brick and Mortar will open March 25. Community Pride Financial, rSquared, and CAMP Rehoboth are open all year. Beginning this month (with the exception of Easter weekend), the CAMP Rehoboth office will return to its regular seven day a week schedule—no longer closed on Sunday.
The approaching springtime also means that the CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST will be here before we know it. Now celebrating its 16th year as a Rehoboth Women’s event, Women’s FEST is four days of entertainment, workshops, dances, sporting events, and activities—April 7-10. Olivia Travel, FEST Presenting Sponsor, has donated an amazing, all inclusive, cruise to Tahiti for two, valued at more than $13,000. This extraordinary adventure will be raffled during Women’s FEST. Tickets are $20, or six for $100 and no more than 600 will be sold. Raffle tickets, along with FEST Passes, event tickets, and event descriptions are available on the CAMP Rehoboth website. In the absence of the RB Convention Center this year, the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center will be home to many of the 2016 FEST events. It is also the official Host Hotel for Women’s FEST. To reserve a room at the discounted Women’s FEST rate, call 800-422-0600 and mention Women’s FEST.
Thanks to Jenn Harpel and Tracy Kirby of Morgan Stanley, the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center has been able to offer An Evening with Kristin Beck as a free event on March 24. Born Christopher Beck, the 20 year Navy Seal retired from the military in 2011 and began to transition to her true self. That transition has been documented in the film Lady Valor. Tickets to the event sold out quickly, and we have a waiting list—so please, ticket holders, let us know if you will not be able to attend. We are grateful to Jenn, Tracy and Morgan Stanley for making this programming possible.
In addition to AA and NA support groups, and our men’s and women’s (Coffee Talk) discussion groups, CAMP Rehoboth is currently offering a variety of other groups, including: LGBT Bereavement, Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, Silver Pride (for age 50 and above), and Trans-Talk (open to transgender men and women and their partners). For information, call our Health Services Director Sal Seeley.
With so many LGBT couples becoming parents, CAMP Rehoboth launched the first CAMP Rehoboth Family Pride Weekend in the summer of 2015. This year, the event returns for a second season with an expanded schedule and family friendly activities for kids and adults. CAMP Family Pride 2016 will take place on June 24-26, and will include: a welcome party at CAMP Rehoboth, beach events at Gordon’s Pond and Poodle Beach, an adult dinner, a bounce party at Shell We Bounce, and much more. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 per child, with a family max of $90. Registration begins March 23 on the CAMP Rehoboth website.
Already, 2016 seems as if it is going to be a memorable year—whether for good or bad reasons remains to be seen. Certainly the 2016 election will have analysts confused for months. In his CAMPmatters column, Murray touches on everything from race to politics, and in the process reminds us that, depending on which way this election goes, we could still be facing backlash on some of our newly given rights—including marriage equality.