This is issue three of the 2019 volume of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth and celebrates CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST—now in its 19th season. The first Women’s FEST grew out of the CAMP Rehoboth Women’s Project begun about the same time as plans got off the ground to expand CAMP Rehoboth to a full-service community center in the late 1990s. The first Women’s FEST (though it wasn’t called that at the time) was a modest affair, but it set the stage for what was to become an annual, highly anticipated event. Women’s FEST 2019 features two dance events (a welcome party and a tea-dance from our sisters at Ladies 2000), sporting events, concerts and comics, speakers, an art exhibit, readings, and much more. Check out this issue and the CAMP Rehoboth website for details.▽
At some point in the many years of Women’s FEST, Steve and I acquired the title of “honorary lesbians” for our continuing work with women’s activities in our community. We both were, and I still am, grateful for the gifts, talents, support, leadership, and friendship that comes to me and to CAMP Rehoboth from the women in our community. I am awed by the hours of hard work and the dedication that goes into making Women’s FEST a success. I am especially thankful for the CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST Committee and its tireless co-chairs, Dottie Cirelli, Nancy Hewish, and Fay Jacobs.▽
Shortly before this issue of Letters went into final production, 41 CAMP Rehoboth travelers returned from the CAMP Out in Africa trip, tired but oh so happy from two weeks of “camping” our way through South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The trip included two safaris (one in South Africa, one in Botswana), time at Victoria Falls, and several days in Cape Town. It was an extraordinary adventure, and I have great hope of returning at a future date for more exploration of that continent. We had an abundance of photographers on the trip, so watch for continuing photographs from that trip on Facebook, in these pages, and in the CAMP Rehoboth gallery. I alone have close to 2,000 photos, so it is taking some time to process and select the best to share. Upcoming CAMP Rehoboth trips include a 2020 riverboat cruise in Portugal and an amazing Australia/New Zealand adventure in 2021. Our continued thanks to CAMP Rehoboth Premier Sponsor Accent on Travel for making this trip possible and for their support of CAMP Rehoboth.▽
March 15 was the one-year anniversary of Steve’s death. The day was marked at CAMP Rehoboth with a time of remembrance. I was not present, but I thank CAMP Rehoboth Board President Chris Beagle for organizing it. As the day dawned, I was somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean on my way to Africa—a trip that Steve and I planned together. Sometime in the wee hours on that morning, I awoke in the quiet of the sleeping plane and felt his presence and the memory of that day etched forever in my heart. There was also recollection of the year that followed, and the amazing amount of work put into assuring that the work and mission of CAMP Rehoboth will continue in other hands long after both of its founders are gone. Sondra Arkin and I had just completed a report on the past year’s work before departure. That report assures me that we are taking all the right steps to secure the future for CAMP Rehoboth. We have accomplished so much.▽
In recent months, the CAMP Rehoboth Monday morning email has become a popular way to keep up with the many activities and events going on at CAMP Rehoboth. Last week’s email included almost 25 ways to participate, and included support and discussion groups, entertainment, trips, activities, and more. Details about these activities and groups are also available in each issue of Letters. To receive the weekly email blast, sign up on our homepage.▽