For the volunteers and staff of CAMP Rehoboth, this time of year is all about the approaching CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST on April 7-10. Though the name has been changed slightly over the years (it used to be Women’s Weekend), this will be the 11th time that CAMP Rehoboth has celebrated the women of our community with this amazing event. To get the most out of this year’s Women’s FEST, we encourage everyone to buy a FEST Pass. It includes a breakfast by Mixx, a choice of three workshops (called Feminars), four days of food and drink discounts at many of Rehoboth’s most popular places, and much more. A FEST Pass is required for participation in the Women’s Conference portion of the weekend. For a Women’s FEST event schedule, or information on this year’s Feminars, great entertainment, and parties, check out the Women's FEST Brochure.
Thanks to all who attended the recent Equality Delaware Town Hall meetings at CAMP Rehoboth and at the First and Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. Equality Delaware was formed from the coalition of individuals and organizations who have advocated for equal rights in Delaware over the last two decades. As we presented at the Town Hall meetings, the first initiative of the group is to work for the passage of a civil union bill in Delaware. The bill has been drafted and has sponsors in both the Delaware House and Senate, and we expect that it will be introduced sometime in March. For more information, go to equalitydelaware.com.
With this issue, we are pleased to welcome Deb Griffin to our line-up of Letters’ contributors. Deb writes a local blog called The Local Buzz, and a special CAMP Rehoboth version of that blog will now be included in every issue. The column (called Buzzworthy) will focus on the local business community, and feature new and exciting (and yes, buzzworthy) items of interest.
As we head into our 21st season at CAMP Rehoboth, i’m excited about all the opportunities that are available for participation in our organization. Our membership program provides important financial support for CAMP Rehoboth as well as special benefits to the members. The Business Partnership provides a link for businesses on the Beach Guide portion of our website, and coming soon, those business partners will have the option to purchase advertising space on our website as well. Volunteers, as always, remain crucial to our success, and volunteering is a great way to make new friends. We’re particularly excited about our Volunteer on Vacation (VOV) program, which provides volunteer opportunities throughout the community, and our new volunteer orientation program. From discussion and support groups for men and women, to art projects and the CAMP Chorus, there are many ways to get involved in the life and work of CAMP Rehoboth. Look for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center on Facebook To receive email updates (CAMP-enotes) fill out the mailing list form on our website.
No matter how hard we try to avoid them, mistakes happen from time to time. In the previous issue of Letters we somehow managed to omit the names of five of our volunteers from the Volunteer Thank You on page 15 (Letters, Volume 21: Issue 1). All five of them play an important role in the work of CAMP Rehoboth, and I’d like to say a personal word of apology and thanks to Laura Simon, Roni Posner, Barb Ralph, Mike Kelly, and Charlie Lee.
One last thing, I’m very pleased to announce that after a long absence, a new chapter of PFLAG is opening in our area. For more information or to get involved with the new organization contact Linda Gregory at PFLAGrehobothbeach@gmail.com. I’ll continue to post updates in Letters and online as I know more details.