It started with a gut feeling and a map. For Tanya Calver and her business partners, what began as a casual real estate search blossomed into a life-changing journey, one driven by a shared desire to build something meaningful off the beaten path. Now, just a few years later, All Points East Campground in Prince Edward Island is more than just a place to pitch a tent – it’s a piece of paradise, a testament to bold decisions and building a business with soul.
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Tanya didn’t set out to run a campground in Prince Edward Island. But when she and her business partners stumbled across the listing for what would become All Points East Campground, something clicked. “We’d been looking for a little while, just exploring options,” Tanya recalls. “We were open – Nova Scotia, P.E.I., New Brunswick – but when we saw this place, we all had the same gut feeling. It was a yes!”
The property was remote, nestled between the shores of North Lake and the Atlantic Ocean. It had history, potential, and a promise of adventure. It also needed work. But for Tanya and her partners – friends with a shared background in hospitality and customer service – it felt like the right kind of challenge. “There was something special here,” she says. “The rawness, the beauty of it, the sense of space. It wasn’t polished, but we didn’t want it polished. We wanted authentic.”
Getting from idea to launch was a journey that took roughly a year from the time they found the property. “We moved fast,” Tanya says. “It was a leap. But sometimes, leaps are what you need.”
They did much of the work themselves – clearing land, designing structures, figuring out water systems. Friends and new neighbours helped, and above all – the team leaned on their trust in one another. “There were so many unknowns. But we believed in the vision. That carried us through.”
This hands-on approach is evident in the campground’s design and offerings. All Points East is not your typical campground. Set on a serene lakeside property with easy access to two beautiful beaches, it offers a range of amenities, including an inground pool, a playground, and a convenient laundry room. The campground features a mix of tent sites and community spaces, thoughtfully designed with intention. Guests can enjoy a shared gathering area for bbqing and campfires, an on-site ice cream and art shop, showers and peaceful spots to relax. The trio transformed the property into an eco-conscious destination that respects the land and enhances the camping experience.
“We built it around what we ourselves would want,” says Tanya. “Clean, beautiful and welcoming, but not overdone. We wanted it to feel like an extension of the land, not something imposed on it.”
Tanya and her partners are all design lovers. That influence shows. Every element of All Points East campground feels considered yet rustic and natural at the same time, including the soon to be available upcoming glamping units. “We didn’t want it to be just functional. We wanted it to be beautiful. Beauty matters,” she says. “It changes how people feel when they arrive, when they cook a meal, when they look around.”
But it’s not about being fancy. It’s about creating an experience that feels elevated and intentional, even in the wilderness. None of the partners had run a campground before, and they quickly learned that operations, design, and guest experience are different challenges when you’re in a remote location. “We learned a ton on the fly,” Tanya admits. “You figure out what works, what doesn’t, and you stay flexible.”
That learning curve hasn’t stopped them from dreaming bigger. Each season, they tweak, build, and refine. “We’re always thinking: How can we improve this? How can we make it even more welcoming, even more aligned with our values?”
While the setting may feel remote, the connection to the community is strong. Tanya emphasizes how supportive the local people have been – from offering help during early renovations to recommending the campground to friends and family. “There’s a generosity here,” she says. “People want to see us do well. We try to return that by supporting local makers, sourcing locally, and being good neighbours.”
The on-site shop carries goods from local artisans, including family members (one of Tanya’s sisters is a textile artist) and friends (one of their seasonal guests is a potter). They highlight regional attractions and partner with local businesses when they can. “We don’t want to just exist here – we want to be part of the fabric.”
The team isn’t done yet. They’re expanding their offerings, adding more spaces for guests, and thinking about off-season possibilities. “There’s so much more we want to do,” Tanya says. “But we also want to grow in a way that feels right. We’re not in a rush. We want to protect what makes this place special.”
For others dreaming about starting a business in a rural place, Tanya has some real talk. “Be prepared to work hard, but be open,” she says. “You’ll need to listen to the land, your gut and the people around you.” She encourages would-be entrepreneurs not to be discouraged by a lack of experience. “You figure it out. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and who want you to succeed. And trust your instincts. If something keeps calling you – listen.”
While success for many businesses is measured in numbers, Tanya sees things a little differently. “For us, it’s about impact. When guests say they feel different after staying here – that’s success. When someone tells us this place helped them slow down or reconnect – that’s the win.”
One of the best surprises for Tanya? Are how many guests extend their stay. “We hear it all the time: people come for a night and end up staying three or four,” she says. “They come down the road, and it just opens up – this view, this quiet. They realize they want to pause.” Tanya continues, “Another reason people stay long and come back each season is the people – ourselves and our guests – are a big part of who we are as a brand and the All Points East Campground experience.
It’s a reminder that some of the most inspiring business stories don’t happen in boardrooms. They can happen by the firelight, under open skies, with friends who decide to take a chance. Or as Tanya puts it: “We wanted to create something that feels like a deep breath. And I think we have!”
by Lauren Reid