Pearl of De Langstraat: The Schaapskooi Drunen

My coffee is ready this time at De Schaapskooi campsite in Drunen. The dew is still on the grass, but the sun is already shining over the campsite where the guests are quietly waking up. I am greeted by Karin (33) and her husband Niels (40) also looks around the corner of the door as we sit at the kitchen table. Their two children are not at home. Since March, Karin and Niels have been the owners of the campsite with pitches, vacation homes and a group accommodation.

My first question is, "Where are the sheep? You expect those at a sheep pen, but I haven't come across them?" Karin explains that they went with the old owners, but that in the future they would like some farm animals on the lawn. They still have a chicken, which scurries around and does its own thing.

From an ordinary residential area in Waalwijk, they had long dreamed of living closer to the dunes and perhaps running a park with some vacation homes. But a campsite was not the first thing on their minds. They both did used to go camping with their parents and made several faraway trips together, so the adventurousness is in them. Karin actually wanted an office job and Niels likes entrepreneurship, so they looked at the possibilities anyway.

They love to be in contact with people, love the dunes with the special heather, the sand flats and the area where there is so much to discover. And that is exactly what this place brings. Karin says she likes the small scale : "We like to stay personal, to be seen on the campsite. So we try to make a daily tour around the campsite, have a chat if desired and so be very approachable."

Karin: "The ambition is to maybe add some vacation homes in the future where you can receive guests a little more spread out. That is good for the occupancy rate, but will also take some doing. We especially want to be that nice place, in the middle of these beautiful surroundings, where we let people enjoy themselves."

We walk around the campground some more, have a chat with one of the guests. Karin shows me how close those special dunes are, just a path away and you are already in the middle of nature.

Good luck Karin and Niels! You are not starting with the wind at your back shall we say because of COVID-19. But what a beautiful place. I am curious if I get to come back for coffee next year how it will be then..... I would love to come back again!

Want to know more about The Sheepfold? Then click here!