Lakeview Oaks: Building a Camp Home for the Next Generation
Watch Video: Intro, Camp History, Property Tour + 3-Phase Vision
Help Build a Camp Home for Everyone
After renting eight different camp properties over 20+ years, I am purchasing four acres of terraced land with breathtaking views, just steps from the lake and county park, 2 hours north of San Francisco.
Together, we’re building Lakeview Oaks—a 3-phase vision to transform this land into a permanent home for the next generation of camps, retreats, and gatherings of all kinds.
Lakeview Oaks will be a safe, inclusive, nature-centered property, where youth, families, and groups come together through outdoor adventure, creativity, wellness, and shared human connection.
This development project will create jobs and support the local economy in Lake County, Ca. Your contribution (time and money) helps turn this long-held dream into a magical place, providing transformational experiences and lifelong memories for generations to come. Thank you for believing in what we’re building.
Our Goal
We are raising $75,000 in 30 days (by March 1) to complete Phase 1, which includes:
• Securing the property with fencing, gates, lighting, and cameras
• Cleaning and beautifying the land (tree work, trash removal, painting, etc.)
• Installing the first furnished glamping tent = tent platform and front porch
• Preparing the site for small, safe, pilot events in late Spring, 2026
How You Can Help
If this vision resonates with you, there are a few simple ways to support:
• Donate (any amount truly helps)
• Share this campaign with people who believe in kids, community, and the outdoors
• Reach out directly if you’re interested in volunteering, partnering, or investing in future phases
Every contribution brings us closer to building a permanent place where connection, creativity, health and acceptance can thrive—for this generation and the next.
Legacy & The Next Generation
For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of creating camp and retreat experiences centered on acceptance, community, creativity, environmental awareness, and real human connection. What started as a day camp, in 2003, grew into a program that served thousands of families from around the world—bringing people together through the arts, the outdoors, adventure, and friendship.
Campers who once arrived at age 12 are now in their 30s… many with children of their own. The next generation is here and it's time to give the entire community a permanent location to call home.
Blake "Tiny" (37), a 3 year camper ('04-'06) & 10 year staff, his wife, Lizzie, and future camper, Juniper. :)
Lizzie "Sushi", a 3 year camper ('04-'06) & 7 year camp staff, with her son, and future camper, James! :)
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
The Story
Since 2005, I have been researching and dreaming of owning a camp property. I've toured nearly 40 camps and have been in escrow 3 times. Each time, however, it simply wasn't the right fit.
For 2 decades, we rented properties, packed everything into trailers at the start and end of camp, only to start over every year. It worked—but it was never permanent. Now, for the first time, we have the opportunity to build something lasting: a forever home for camps, retreats, youth programs, families, and community gatherings.
Now, after all that time, I found the perfect spot for our programs.
That place is Lakeview Oaks — a beautiful, terraced 4-acre property directly across the street from the lake, and Keeling County Park, with swimming, fishing, boating, playground, bathrooms and open sky. My wife, Amy and I made Lake County our home during COVID, and this project represents both a personal and professional next chapter. Only 12 minutes from where we own a house and 6 minutes from where I teach, this land will suit our needs perfectly.
What We’re Building:
Lakeview Oaks is a multi-phase camp, retreat, and event property focused primarily on:
• Youth and teen programs
• Families and community groups
• Arts, the outdoors, mental health, physical fitness & personal growth
Activities will include: hiking, kayaking, swimming, fishing, boating, yoga, meditation, acting, music, video production, journaling, photography, arts & crafts, performances, team sports, and plenty of face-to-face connection—something the world needs now more than ever.
Over time, the property will support up to 98 overnight guests, with proper utilities, showers, restrooms, and infrastructure built in phases. In the early stages, we will responsibly use incinerating toilets, composting toilets, and outhouses, solar power banks, and strict sanitation practices—always in compliance with county regulations.
Watch the Full 10 Min Video: Intro, Camp History, Tour + 3-Phase Vision
Why This Matters
There is currently nothing like this for kids and teens in Lake County.
Lakeview Oaks will:
• Create local jobs
• Bring visitors and revenue from outside the county
• Support local businesses
• Offer enriching, affordable experiences to local youth
• Build pride, culture, and community connection
This is about more than land—it’s about belonging.
Why I’m Doing This
The single most important value we’ve always promoted at camps is acceptance—of self and of others. Camp has always been a place where people feel safe being exactly who they are.
After years of teaching, mentoring, creating, hiking long trails, working in the arts, and building community, I believe deeply in this work. I believe in fresh air, shared meals, physical activity, creativity, laughter, the power of shooting stars and time away from screens. I believe that community is built face-to-face. This project is my way of investing in that belief—long term.
PHASE 1 in Detail: This GoFundMe is in Support of Phase 1
Secure, Protect, Clean, Beautify, Glamping, Open
Our Goal is $75,000 in 30 Days (by March 1).
What the Money Pays For:
County Compliance ($15k-$20k)
permits, application fees, required tests, hiring a civil engineering firm to create a comprehensive site plan (topography, plan for sewer, water, electric, map detailing where buildings will eventually exist, etc.)
Securing/Protecting the Land ($18k-$30k)
Safety First - ALWAYS!! Fencing - Install a barbed wire fence around the entire 4 acre perimeter of the property. Gates - Install 2 Industrial strength (campground-like) metal gates at the main entrance and at the emergency exit on highway 20 (Emergency vehicles only…extra key kept by fire dept who I hope will split the cost of the emergency exit gate). Lights, Cameras, Signage - Install security cameras, solar powered motion lights and signage “Please Keep Out”, and “Children At Play”.
Beautification ($10k-$15k) - Tree & dirt work, cinder block retaining wall, litter removal (including disposal fees), pressure washing, and painting.
Glamping ($17k-$25k) - Water hook up on the property, drinking water dispensers, hot shower system, towels and linens, glamping tent with furnishings (bed, dresser, end tables, lamps, rugs, deck chairs, tables), lumber and hardware for benches, tent platform, front porch and privacy fencing. In addition, all donation will go toward the purchase of a picnic table, pots, pans, barbecue, utensils, kitchenware, spices, coffee, cleaning supplies, paper goods, binoculars, etc., as well as an incinerating toilet and/or composting toilet and/or rent for an outhouse.
If there’s any money left over at the end of phase one…. It would be nice to add a second and a third tent to allow for an entire family to camp together, or have 2-3 couples together for a weekend of fun in the outdoors, on a private mountain, with an amazing view, very close to all amenities and not too far from home!
Future phases will expand infrastructure, utilities, RV sites, and full camp programming—but this first step is critical.
Watch the Full 10 Min Video: Intro, Camp History, Tour + 3-Phase Vision
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for watching our video.
Thank you for spreading the word.
Thank you for believing.
And thank you for being part of what comes next.
I am so grateful for your support.
— Doug Cembellin
Founder, Lakeview Oaks
Organizer
