SunFestival Returns
Summer is just around the corner and CAMP Rehoboth is excited to announce that SunFestival will return Labor Day weekend!
We are working on finalizing the details and will share them in the Memorial Day issue of Letters but here is a teaser...get ready to dance the night away once again at the Convention Center! In addition to the dance, we are exploring other activities during the week and on Saturday night at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.
As most of you know, pulling off a week-long series of events is not possible without support from volunteers, sponsors, and of course those who purchase tickets. As they say, it takes a village—especially during this time of transition at CAMP Rehoboth.
If you miss the excitement of planning and executing details while having fun with other volunteers—then we’re looking for you!
If you’ve got what it takes to be a committee chair or committee volunteer for Decor, Marketing/Advertising, Sponsorships, and Entertainment leading up to the event, as well as other tasks outside of these committees, and tasks at events such as ticket takers, VIP Room monitors, and more—we want to hear from you!
With your help we can revel in the fun of years past, dancing to tunes throughout the time from disco to today and celebrating the end of summer—together—at SunFestival 2022.
To indicate your interest in volunteering, please email SunFestival@camprehoboth.com. ▼
Handmade Markets Set to Return May 13
The Handmade Markets are back! Join LGBTQ/ally artists and makers in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard on Friday, May 13, from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. and shop local for art, trinkets, tchotchkes, and more. Don’t let superstitions surrounding the “Friday the 13th” date scare you—this market will usher in the summer season with great fun and high spirits. Plus, this will be the only Handmade Market for the next several months to enjoy free, meter-less parking—so come out and support local vendors! ▼
CAMP Rehoboth Says Good-bye to David Mariner
The Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth announced April 13 that Executive Director David Mariner will be leaving the organization effective May 31, 2022 and wishes to thank David for his contributions to our mission. Over the next several months, David will work with the Board to help ensure a smooth transition.
Beginning in 2019, David helped CAMP Rehoboth strengthen its organizational processes and improve operational efficiency through the use of technology. These advances helped CAMP Rehoboth navigate through COVID by developing a comprehensive approach to maintain day-to-day operations. David’s public policy and advocacy skills also helped CAMP Rehoboth understand and address the challenges facing the most marginalized members of our community.
The Board also announces the start of a strategic planning process to carry this storied 32-year-old community service organization into its next chapter. CAMP is delivering critically important and impactful free programming to promote community well-being on all levels; to foster the development of community groups; to develop community space; to promote human and civil rights; to work against prejudice and discrimination; to lessen tensions among the community at large; and to help foster economic growth.
The Board recognizes that the pandemic has fundamentally altered the needs of our community and how we effectively deliver services. We are embracing this period of transition as an opportunity to proactively chart a course that ensures CAMP will meet the needs of today as well as the future. As part of this process, the Board will be launching a search for an Interim Executive Director to help assess the current and emerging needs of CAMP in this rapidly changing world. We will be guided through this transition process with support from partners such as the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement.
As a part of the commitment of CAMP Rehoboth’s Board of Directors to keep its members and donors fully informed, we would like to let you know that we took the first step in implementing our solid leadership transition plan by onboarding Lisa Evans as Acting Manager. Lisa brings more than 40 years of nonprofit and government experience including most recently serving as Executive Director of the Baltimore nonprofit One House at a Time. She and her spouse have had a home in Rehoboth for 25 years, moving here fulltime in 2020, and Lisa has a history with CAMP as a volunteer including working at many iterations of Sundance.
Lisa is here to serve as an additional resource to our valued staff members and to our community until we onboard an Interim Executive Director. Please feel free to drop in or call to welcome her to our home—Lisa would love to connect with you! You can also reach her at actingmanager@camprehoboth.com.
As always, CAMP Rehoboth is strong because of you, our members, supporters, and friends. We look forward to working with you during this time of opportunity. ▼
— On the Cover —
Yoga on the Beach!
Gracing the cover of this issue is Nate Metz (natemetz.com), who has been a yoga instructor for the past eight years. Nate has taught occasional classes at CAMP Rehoboth’s Yoga for Men program.
What do you like about teaching yoga?
I like how you get to make a difference in people’s lives. You get to see it in front of you.
How did you first get introduced to yoga?
My first introduction to yoga was part of a mental health intervention. I received private instruction on things I can be doing on my own at home to help my emotional and mental health.
Has yoga helped your mental health?
Certainly, in terms of accountability and consistency with self-care and taking care of myself and showing up for myself.
Do you enjoy yoga outdoors?
Yoga on the beach is one of the most magical places to practice. You’re just out in the elements. I like being in the sand. The outdoors is nice because you have nature around you. Those are much softer, more natural inspirations. Healing is around you, versus inside. ▼
Women’s FEST Celebrates
Seven Women’s FEST founders and long-time CAMP staff supporters were honored at this year’s FEST weekend. Lisa Soens, a co-chair of Women’s FEST 2022, said, “I felt it important to honor not only the women who first created Women’s FEST in 2000, but also the women I would see in CAMP Rehoboth’s office each time I was in there. They seemed always to be talking about what the plans were for Women’s FEST!”
Soens continued, “I wanted to honor these women who are our teachers and mentors. We are following what they brought to the women’s community and creating a Women’s FEST that offers a place for everyone. We open a space where women can create, be a part of, participate in, and lead—as well as follow—others for a weekend of sports and entertainment, and making new friends and memories. We thank those who have come before us!”
Presented with awards were (left to right) Nancy Hewish, Kathy Wiz, Dottie Cirelli, Fay Jacobs, Natalie Moss, and Monica Parr. Not pictured is awardee Barb Ralph. ▼
TransLiance Says “Bon Voyage!” to David Mariner
Come out to CAMP Rehoboth on Friday, May 28, at 7:00 p.m. and help TransLiance send David off on his good voyage forward. Find out where his ship is going and how you can help fill its sails.
David recently posted on Facebook, “I’m looking forward to sharing my next adventure with you in the coming months! I’ve met some truly amazing people at CAMP Rehoboth and hope to stay connected. You can email me at david@davidmariner.com.”
Says Kathy Carpenter Brown, TransLiance co-founder, “May 28 will not be a typical TransLiance meeting. Rather, it’ll be a celebration. If you have been touched by David Mariner, come out and wish him safe voyage. If you’re new to the community and want to know where we go from here, come say hi. We love you, David. Bon voyage!”
Kathy adds, “If you are a marginalized person or group that David has helped, please join us. If you are a community member or ally who David has touched, please join us. If you want to help Create A More Positive community, come out and support Mr. Mariner on his journey.”
TransLiance is a group for those on the gender spectrum as well as friends and family of trans folk. This is a group for open discussion and information on trans care and resources.
At its typical monthly meetings, all topics are on the table. Meetings are a time—and place—to bring questions and concerns. Meetings are open to all LGBTQI+ people as well as their allies, friends, and family. They’re a great time to share stories, get feedback and advice from other members, and explore gender and sexuality. Newcomers are welcome and anyone wishing to meet prior to the meeting can do so by contacting TransLiance@gmail.com.
For more information about TransLiance, go to transliance.com or meetup.com/Rehoboth-TransLiance/ or follow TransLiance on Facebook. TransLiance currently has groups in Salisbury and Havre de Grace, Maryland, and in Dover and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The Rehoboth group meets the last Saturday of every month at CAMP Rehoboth at 7:00 p.m. ▼