Our new home, EcoCamp Berryessa, on the shores of Lake Berryessa.
I was looking for the perfect place to hold the 2017 Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay, May 31 – June 4, and as soon as I pulled through the gate of the EcoCamp at Lake Berryessa, I knew I had found it.
Keep in mind that some of these photos were taken last fall when I did the original site survey. But just imagine the oak trees in full leaf and the lake (now full to the brim) practically lapping at the base of the cabins in late May – early June. You’ll be able to bring your canoes and kayaks or inner-tubes and play in the water to your heart’s content. Or you can just sit in the shade of one of the oaks, strumming your ‘ukulele with friends.
EcoCamp Berryessa is a practically brand-new, environmental education camp located on the peaceful northern shoreline of Lake Berryessa, just north of the Putah Creek Bridge in Napa County, California, and operated by the Napa Open Space District.
There are nearly 10 acres of blue oak woodlands, open grassland, and chamise and several pair of osprey nest at or near the camp, and it is not unusual to see bald eagles, river otter, the resident grey fox…..and now, an ‘ukulele player or two….. or three…..or four….
The camp was just completed in 2015 and was designed with an eye to energy-efficiency, use of natural and/or recycled materials, and resource conservation. It has solar solar power, hot showers that feed into a gray-water system, composting toilets, permanent tent cabins, a stone amphitheater (with electrical power and a movie screen), a canoe/kayak launch, a beach, and countless paths and trails showcasing the the beauty of the lake, which surrounds the camp on three sides.
I can’t think of a better place for Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay to call “home.”
The tent cabins (many of which are ADA accessible) sleep up to 8, but there is nearly unlimited space to pitch your tent or park your trailer or motor home! There are two huge, covered ramadas with lights and electricity and, when I was last there, a home made pizza oven! And, the best part is, the entire facility will be ours, all ours, for the duration of Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay.
The only thing missing, is you!
Registration will be open soon and if you are following this blog, you will be one of the first to know. In the meantime, look who is going to be on the staff this year, teaching classes and workshops and making sure you have “the most fun you can have with your ‘ukulele on!”
Hope you can join us! It’s going to be a blast.
