I can’t believe that we’re already halfway through the summer season! I don’t know if it’s my age or our intense Letters from CAMP Rehoboth summertime publishing schedule, but the days seem to be slipping away faster than ever this summer. Labor Day will be here in no time, and that means Sundance 2017. Celebrating its 30th year, Sundance is our biggest event of the year and our biggest fundraiser. Every year I’m amazed by the support we receive from Hosts, Supporters, Sponsors, auction donors, and volunteers. The month of July is all about signing up support for Sundance, so please, if you have not done so, sign-up today at camprehoboth.com or call CAMP Rehoboth at 302-227-5620. Sundance 2017—Rainbow XXX: Solar NRG is a two-night event at the Rehoboth Mall, Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3. See page 14 for more about Sundance 2017.
By the time this issue of Letters comes out it will be too late to register to vote in this year’s City election, but if already registered, don’t forget to head to the Rehoboth Beach Fire Department on August 12 to vote. Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the race, current City Commissioner Paul Kuhns is challenging incumbent Mayor Sam Cooper. In the City Commissioner race, incumbent Kathy McGuiness, Susan Gay, and Lisa Schlosser are running to fill the two available seats. The July 28 issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth will contain our annual Candidate Forum, with all five candidates participating. Also, join all the candidates at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center on Friday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. for the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners and CAMP Rehoboth Candidate Forum. I will again be moderating that event.
Before the Delaware State Legislature wrapped up the first year of its two year session, legislators passed HB281 that makes appropriations for Grant in Aid in 2018. Though total funding for next year was cut 20%, CAMP Rehoboth, we’re happy to say, will still receive a grant from the State for CAMP Rehoboth programs including our Senior Services Program. Unfortunately, however, the last minute, and longer than expected, budget debate caused the postponement of the vote banning Conversion Therapy for young people in Delaware. That bill (SB65), had been expected to pass but will now have to wait until the legislators reconvene in January 2018.
Sunday, July 23 from 6-9 p.m., Aqua Grill will once again host a benefit for the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company. The important word in that last sentence is volunteer! We depend on these volunteers to be ready at whatever time and place we need them, so please, come out and support their efforts at Aqua. Also coming up at Aqua this summer is the annual CAMP Rehoboth Bachelor Auction on August 13. Last year’s Bachelor Auction was a big success, raising a record amount for CAMP Rehoboth. Let’s do it again! Come out and join us for Bachelor Auction 2017.
Every year CAMP Rehoboth depends on more than 400 volunteers to help us do our work, and we are grateful to them all. Volunteers play a huge roll in our organization, filling positions that range from full time staff level to stuffing envelopes for event mailings. On Saturday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m., CAMP Rehoboth will host our next Volunteer Orientation—this one with a focus on volunteering for Sundance. As our biggest and most elaborate event, volunteer opportunities are many and varied. Some of the Sundance 2017 Team Captains will be present to share details and needs. Anyone interested in learning about volunteer opportunities at CAMP Rehoboth is welcome to attend. We ask folks to RSVP for the Volunteer Orientation, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Stop by the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center to check out our current art exhibit, to find out what’s going on at the beach, to pick up a new copy of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth—or just to say hello!