By now I think all of our members are aware that the Camping Club has been closed since March 18th when the Shelter in Place order went into effect in Sonoma County. When the order went into effect initially Campgrounds were listed as being able to remain open as essential businesses. I inquired immediately with the County to get a definition of what essential meant. I was told that those campgrounds who hosted people who lived in their RVs were considered essential and needed to remain open to serve those type of RV owners.

As a recreational Camping Club I was told that DMCC needed to shut down. At this same time all State and County campgrounds were shut down and remain shut down. Some local campgrounds remained open initially and even allowed recreational camping to occur on their properties. They were all informed however that this was wrong and have not been allowed to have recreational camping with the Shelter in Place order in effect.

I monitor the actions of the County every day to keep abreast of when there are any changes to the Shelter in Place order. As of today 5/4/20 Campgrounds are still being told not to allow recreational camping along with our residents being told not to travel more than 5 miles from home. I have reached out to our County Supervisor Linda Hopkins to inform her of my wish for DMCC to be allowed to open to our members with proper Health and Safety guidelines for Camping. I have not heard from Linda Hopkins yet but am hopeful that we may be allowed to open very soon.

The club has kept staff onsite to keep it secure while we are closed. Staff have been maintaining and improving the club during the entire time of the Shelter in Place order. We want to have the club ready to open ASAP once the Shelter in Place order is lifted. This of course is a cost to the club. The only cost that is less than normal in operating the club at this time is the electric bill. Our only revenue stream at this time are the annual fees that members pay to the club.

The annual member fees are critical right now to assist with the costs of operating the club. DMCC needs to generate new member sales and other revenue from guest camping each year to make up the operating budget deficit. Currently we have no revenue from either of those generators. I am very motivated to get the club up and running again as the future of the Club relies on it.

I understand that many members are also experiencing financial difficulties of their own right now. Some have reached out regarding their inability to pay their fees at this time. I have put a few members in suspension with the ability to reinstate their membership with no loss of time once their situation changes. Some members have asked if I will prorate their annual member fees which for the obvious reasons stated above we cannot do. I will work with anyone who needs to discuss their membership; they can email me at: [email protected]

We hope to be able to mass email every member once we hear that we can open the club again. I will post here, on our Facebook page, on our voicemail at the club too. The staff and myself are eager to welcome all of our members back as soon as possible to enjoy safe and healthy camping.  – Brian Bevak, DMCC