Walking in Space
Back in 1991 when CAMP Rehoboth was first conceived, the idea was that its site could include a gallery, a coffee shop, and a book store, so Steve and I opened a gallery called CAMP that we hoped would exist alongside the newly established organization CAMP Rehoboth. It quickly became apparent that the name was too confusing, and so we kept the word “CAMP” for the organization and changed the name of the gallery to Space. To this day, the Space sign from that short-lived endeavor, hangs on the wall of my studio. CAMP Rehoboth, fortunately, has survived and now provides space for a wide variety of activities and events.
Included in the CAMP Rehoboth Mission and Purpose (which appears on page two of every issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth), is the phrase: “We seek to…develop community space….” That was a goal all the way back at the founding of CAMP Rehoboth, and it became an even more important part of the conversation when members of our community gathered in the late 90s and early 2000s to begin the discussions for what would eventually grow into the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center of today.
Those early discussions and workshops focused on the need to provide a space that would serve as a hub for the LGBT community—and our families, friends, allies, and neighbors. It was out of this effort, that we developed our vision: “to be the heart of the community.” The goal was to create, in the words of our vision statement, “an inclusive space…that nurtures a focal point for connecting people, activities, and resources….”
Though our vision is about more than just a building, our physical presence on Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach, has been vital to our success as a connector and resource for our community, and we are proud of the many public spaces we are able to offer for use to the community around us: The CAMP Library; upstairs Conference Room; Gallery Rooms, downstairs Conference Room; the main hall (or simply The Big Room as we call it); and, of course, the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard.
CAMP Library
The CAMP Rehoboth Library is located on the second floor of the original building that also houses the CAMP Rehoboth offices. The library is open during regular office hours, and its resources may be borrowed by anyone. All of its books and DVDs have been donated to the Community Center by supporters of CAMP Rehoboth. The CAMP Library also contains an amazing collection of Rehoboth photographs by Letter’s from CAMP Rehoboth photographer Tony Burns.
The Library is available to outside groups as a small conference and meeting room, with seating for up to eight people.
Upstairs Conference Room
Adjacent to the CAMP Rehoboth Library and slightly larger (the room will comfortably hold up to 12 people), the Upstairs Conference Room works well for board meetings, small classes, workshops, or counseling sessions.
Gallery Rooms
The two main rooms in the original CAMP Rehoboth building double during office hours as both a reception area and an art gallery space. With a full schedule of community art exhibits and events planned for each season, the rooms are always bright and welcoming and provide a way for CAMP Rehoboth to provide space for local artist to show and sell their work.
The Big Room
The Big Room of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center was built in 2009 as a multi-purpose space serving the needs of CAMP Rehoboth and the community around us. The beautiful space is filled with light and contains the award winning, rainbow colored, Founders’ Circle wall that represents all the donors who made the building possible.
Since its construction, the Big Room has served a multitude of functions that include: workshops, meetings, theater, debates, private parties, civil unions and weddings, charity events, art events, and much more. In its first year, Delaware Governor Jack Markell even signed anti-discrimination legislation in it.
Theater style, the room seats 90; for cocktail parties, it holds close to 180, plus it has access to the gorgeous CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, a small kitchen, and a small auxiliary conference room.
Downstairs Conference Room
While often used as a break-out room in conjunction with the Big Room, the downstairs Conference Room is also available on its own. With space for 8-10 people, it provides another room for small meetings, workshops, classes, and more.
CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard
Perhaps the most well known CAMP Rehoboth space, certainly the most visible, the CAMP Courtyard has been continually operated as a free community space since CAMP Rehoboth begin back in the early 90s. During the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center construction in 2009, the CAMP Courtyard was completely redesigned and rebuilt, and now provides a welcome respite to shoppers, beachgoers, tourists and locals alike.
From breakfast and lunch at the iconic Lori’s Café, to an evening art opening at Ward Ellinger Gallery, the dog-friendly CAMP Courtyard welcomes everyone with its bright umbrellas, friendly atmosphere, and free Wi-Fi.
I have to confess I get a little kick out of the fact that the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center has become very much like its original concept. Twenty-two years ago, our space was just a dream, now it’s real—thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, donors, and members.
For information about reserving a space in the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, call 302-227-5620 or visit our website.
Murray Archibald, Founder and President of the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth, is an artist in Rehoboth Beach.