Well here we are, summer has passed once again, and we are back to publishing on a monthly basis, and life returns to a more normal pace for all of us at CAMP Rehoboth. While we celebrate the passage of another successful summer season in Rehoboth Beach, our hearts and prayers go out to all of those struggling to recover from the devastating effects of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria—including the many CAMP Rehoboth friends who have moved south in recent years.
Irma had not yet hit over labor day weekend when we announced at the Sundance auction, that 10% of the money raised during the Sundance live auction would be sent to the Montrose LGBT Community Center in Houston to help with recovery efforts from Harvey. Anyone wishing to add to that fund can send contributions to CAMP Rehoboth.
CAMP Rehoboth welcomes the Rehoboth Beach Bears for Bear Weekend, September 19-22, 2017, and we’re proud to serve as host for many of the Bear Weekend events including the Bear Meet and Greet Party, the Bear Art Show, and the Bear Comedy Show with Matteo Lane. CAMP Rehoboth is also one of the beneficiaries of Bear Weekend, and we are grateful to the RB Bears for supporting our mission and programs. First time Bear visitors to Rehoboth are invited to stop by CAMP Rehoboth anytime during the weekend for information and assistance.
Sundance 2017 was another great success, thanks to an amazing line up of support from the hundreds of Sponsors, Supporters, Hosts, auction donors, and volunteers listed in this issue. Though we have not quite finished all the accounting for the event, based on the numbers I’ve seen so far, I’m certain that the event will clear over $100K. After doing Sundance for two years at the Rehoboth Mall we all seem to have gotten attached to that space, and we will miss it. Construction in the mall space was slated to start the day after we vacated the premises, so it will not be available to us again. We are, however, looking forward to being back home in the Rehoboth Convention Center next year. We remain deeply grateful to The Cordish Companies for providing the mall to us free of charge for the past two years.
On October 15, one of the most exciting of our new events returns when CAMP Rehoboth spills out onto Baltimore Avenue for the third annual CAMP Rehoboth Block Party. Baltimore Avenue favorite Anna Rexia will again host a lineup of entertainment beginning at noon and including the Clear Space theater cast of The Fantasticks, the Girlfriends, the Blue Moon entertainers, Matthew Kenworthy, John Flynn, Holly Lane, and members of the CAMP Chorus. At this time there are still a few vendor spaces open, but they are filling fast, so sign up quickly, A Block Party 3 vendor form is available for download on the CAMP Rehoboth website or call the CAMP Rehoboth office for information or to sign up.
In our continuing efforts to address issues of homophobia in our local schools, community members have been participating on the Cape Henlopen LGBTQ Outreach Committee, and our new Council of Elders is planning a meeting in early fall at CAMP Rehoboth to update everyone involved and to discuss future options. For information about the Council contact me or Rabbi Beth Cohen or Rev. Ray Michener.
For many of us, autumn is one of the best times to be in Rehoboth Beach. With great events like the Autumn Jazz Festival, the Sea Witch Festival, and the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, there is always something to do at the beach. The CAMP Rehoboth Community Center is open throughout the year (except for the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day), so stop by for information about upcoming events, activities, and programs, or visit our website at camprehoboth.com.