Camping Klapwijk

In 1990, Fred and Petra Klapwijk bought their place on Meeldijk. Much has changed since then. Fred: "We had a flower nursery, and that's what we started with here, on two hectares. Even back then, there were already eight camping spots. There was a lot to do, but we knew what we wanted to do with it." The campground was expanded to fifteen spots and later to twenty-five. Most of the guests have seasonal spots. Throughout this time, Fred and Petra also had the flower trade and later a fishing business. "If I wasn't driving to Aalsmeer for flowers, I was going to IJmuiden for fish," Petra explains. It was all fun, but not if it wasn't profitable. Eventually, the couple decided to stop the flowers and fishing. They wouldn't want to miss the campground. Petra: "We don't know what it's like to not have people here. There's always someone. By the way, our guests are mostly older people and couples. People who choose tranquility. We like that too." They do organize various things together. "We have Easter breakfasts, barbecues, and we celebrate our birthdays with the guests. Sometimes something spontaneous happens. It's nice when people get to know each other a little better that way." The couple is truly part of the campground; they definitely don't want to be Mr. and Mrs. Klapwijk. Just Fred and Petra. "Basically, we're just here on the campground, having a good time together. You can join in everywhere, but you don't have to. We look forward to seeing people come at the beginning of the year. It warms our hearts to wave them goodbye at the end of the season, knowing they had such a good time that they'll be back next year."