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Groundbreaking held for Jane Clifton Ashford Center

Camp Arrowhead’s new $5.5 million dining hall, retreat facility slated for June 2022 opening
Camp Arrowhead officials and donors celebrated the camp’s new Jane Clifton Ashford Center, a $5.5 million dining hall and retreat, with a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 15. Pictured are (l-r) Ring the Bell Campaign Co-chair Paul Hurdle, Bishop Kevin Brown, Ring the Bell Honorary Co-chair Rev. Calhoun Wick, Tim Ashford, Ted Ashford Sr., Ted Ashford III, Ring the Bell Campaign Co-chair Dominic DiFebo, Erik Hirsch and Camp Arrowhead Executive Director Walt Lafontaine. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
August 19, 2021

Story Location:
Camp Arrowhead
35268 Homestead Way
Lewes, DE 19958
United States

Friends, donors, local elected officials and camp counselors gathered Aug. 15 for Camp Arrowhead’s Ring the Bell groundbreaking ceremony.

The event was to celebrate the soon-to-be-under-construction Jane Clifton Ashford Center, a new dining hall and retreat facility that will replace the camp’s 60-year-old dining hall. The $5.5 million dining hall will nearly double the size of the facility – from 5,800 square feet to 10,000 – and include a new kitchen, rainwater collection tank, kitchen garden, outdoor classroom, reception area, gathering and dining terrace, welcome plaza and butterfly garden. The center will have a fireplace with three separate dining areas.

The capital campaign, Ring the Bell, is named after longtime cook Delma Batson. There’s an existing bell tower with her name onsite, which will be moved to the building’s new terrace.

Demolition of the old building started Aug. 16. Construction is expected to be completed by the first week of June 2022, just in time for summer camp.

When completed, the new dining hall will be called the Jane Clifton Ashford Center. Her husband Ted Ashford Sr. struggles to talk about the significance of the name while sons Ted Ashford III, left, and Tim Ashford, right, console him.
Camp Arrowhead teaches attendees the basics of camping, but also how to be respectful while eating.
It was the first visit to Camp Arrowhead for Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, but she said it was clear the camp’s legacy would only strengthen with the new facility.
Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, share a smile as Lopez recounts his daughter’s experience at Camp Arrowhead – one that was so engaging, her friend forgot to change his underwear for three days.
The Welfare Foundation presented a check for $150,000 the night of the groundbreaking. Foundation Executive Director Chris Grunder shakes the hand of campaign Co-chair Dominic DiFebo, while campaign Co-chair Paul Hurdle holds up the other end of the check.
Camp Arrowhead is located on land that used to belong to the Nanticoke Indians. Tribe member Herbert Jackson burns sage, while tribe member Ragghi Rain says a prayer during the ceremony.
Attendees bow their heads as Bishop Kevin Brown says a prayer before the groundbreaking.
With the old Camp Arrowhead sign behind him, the Rev. Calhoun Wick gets the ceremony started.
The bell tower is named after longtime camp cook Delma Batson. The bell calls camp attendees to meals three times a day, and will continue to do so in the future.
The new $5.5 million dining hall will be named after Jane Clifton Ashford, who was well known as a faith-filled, community-minded Delawarean.
Former camper and staff member Irving Carty talks about how important Camp Arrowhead was in the forming of his life as an adult.
Banners announcing the name of the soon-to-be-built dining hall greet event attendees.

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