Lots of change for CAMP’s Letters

With more than 90 years of content contributions among them, Murray Archibald, Fay Jacobs and Tony Burns are stepping away from Letters, CAMP Rehoboth’s news publication. 

Letters has been documenting and telling the stories of LBGTQ life in Rehoboth Beach for 30 years. For almost that entire time, the trio of Archibald, Jacobs and Burns has been contributing content – Archibald did a lot of everything, including his column CAMP Matters; Jacobs had her column CAMPOut, was features editor for nearly two decades and was the editor for the past few years; and Burns’ CAMPShots might have been the most looked-over pages of any edition.

Letters began its 31st year in February. Inside, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director David Mariner tells readers Murray, Jacobs and Burns’ normal contributions will not be found. He goes on to explain how much each of them meant to Letters.

“Even in a non-pandemic year, adequately celebrating Murray, Fay and Tony would be a difficult task,” said Mariner. “I look forward to the day we can all be together to celebrate in person. I have no doubt that when we are all able to celebrate together again, it will be quite a party!”

Archibald, Jacobs and Burns recently gathered at CAMP Rehoboth’s Baltimore Avenue office. All three said the timing was right for them to step away.

“It’s time for other people to get some ink,” said Jacobs, who admitted this past year has been tough for her writing. 

Archibald, who still lives in an apartment at CAMP, said he’s focusing on his art. He shook his head in disbelief thinking about how Letters grew from a four-page newsletter to a publication that regularly has more than 100 pages in its summer issues.

Archibald said he always considered Letters a part of CAMP’s mission to provide an LBGTQ voice in the community. It’s impossible to separate the two, he said, noting the publication’s ad revenue provided funding for CAMP’s other initiatives.

Burns said he approached CAMP about contributing photos after reading the first few issues.

“I was out in the community anyway and it’s what I like to do,” said Burns, who has tens of thousands of photos in a digital and physical library at CAMP.

In addition to the fun, Burns said his photos showed the LBGTQ community participating in all aspects of the community. Sometimes there would be 10 to 12 pages of pictures in an issue, he said.

In addition to the change in editorial content, Mariner also announced CAMP’s main gathering room had been named the Elkins-Archibald Atrium, and that there will be an LBGTQ youth writing scholarship created in Jacobs’ name.

Archibald and his husband Steve Elkins founded CAMP Rehoboth in 1991. Elkins died in March 2018 after battling lymphoma. Archibald was humble about the honor and swore he didn’t have anything to do with it.

“I really have stepped back,” he said.

Jacobs was also honored. She said something like this scholarship is still needed just as much today as it was when she was navigating her youth. It’s an awesome way to pass along the joy of writing, said Jacobs.

To contribute to the Fay Jacobs LGBTQ Youth Journalism Scholarship Fund, go to camprehoboth.com/fayjacobs.