This is the sixth issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth in our 29th season, and its theme is “go outside.” I go outside several times a day to walk my dog Pete, but our morning walk is the longest. Rain or shine we head up Baltimore Avenue toward what is now Steve Elkins Way and then cut over to Rehoboth Avenue and stroll toward the beach. This time of year the Boardwalk is off limits to dogs, but Rehoboth Avenue is in its prime. Pete is not—in his prime, that is—and yet, at 15 and somewhat blind from his cataracts, he still manages an impressive strut. He may sleep the rest of the day (with a few snack breaks along the way), but he does love to be outside.▽
I grew up spending time in the outdoors. My dad was a Boy Scoutmaster, and loved to take me with him on Boy Scout camping trips long before I was old enough to be anything more than a Cub Scout—a rank, I confess, that was the pinnacle of my scouting career. One of my favorite photos from those long gone days shows 30 boys posed with their camping gear in front of a bus waiting to transport them to a campground in the Smoky Mountains. I am perched right in the middle of all those boy scouts with my arms spread wide in the gayest of poses and a huge grin on my face. Yes, I loved camping in the great outdoors!▽
On May 17, the US House of Representatives passed the Equality Act with tremendous support. It is the first time that comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people passed in Congress. A strong majority of Americans support protections for our community. I suspect that many people just assume that we already have them. The fight now moves on to the Senate. Anyone interested in working on a local team to make that happen should contact me at CAMP Rehoboth.▽
On Sunday, May 19, CAMP Rehoboth honored the members of its Founders’ Circle at a Brunch at G Rehoboth restaurant. The Founders’ Circle was the capital campaign created to make the dream of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center project a reality. The names of all Founders’ Circle members have a permanent place on the memorable, rainbow-colored Founders’ Circle wall in the “big room” of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. These days CAMP Rehoboth depends on its membership for sustaining funds. Back then, however, the membership program did not exist. The Founders’ Circle members were the first ones to step up and support our young organization. We would never have made it this far without them.▽
The countdown to Sundance 2019 is now officially underway. All Host, Supporter, and Sponsor level ticket packages are available online—as well as individual tickets and ticket packages. I am quite happy to announce that Studio 54 DJ legend Robbie Leslie will once again kick off the dance night with three hours of pure disco, followed at 10 p.m. by superstar Sundance DJ Joe Gauthreaux. This will be Rainbow XXXII—Ultraviolet Disco Day-Glo Sunrise, so start looking for those day-glo colors, and “let the sunshine in” on a new day in Rehoboth Beach!▽
I’m quite sure I’ve mentioned it before, but our extended Rehoboth family has a tradition of riding the Sea Dragon at Funland at the beginning of every summer. The tradition got started when all the nieces and nephews were young. Nowadays, they seem to have all gone their separate ways, but those of us who remain still carry on. There are rules, of course. Always go out for a nice dinner first. Always get in the line for the rear seats. Ride with both hands in the air for as long as possible. And most assuredly, laugh out-loud for the entire duration of the ride. Our 20-somethings, I guess, are too self-conscious. The rest of us don’t care what anyone thinks, and as originators of the tradition, we have a blast.▽
Have a safe and happy summer season.▽