Starting a campsite in Sweden
“If something feels right, we go for it”
In the summer of 2019, Harold Kelderhuis moved to Sweden with his wife and two children. There, they took over a campsite and began a new chapter in their lives. A monologue by Harold about the motivation, the move, and life in Sweden.
Choosing Scandinavia
“Together with my wife Mariska and our two youngest children, Wisse and Rune, we moved to Sweden in 2019. Before that, we lived in Nijeveen. Our two oldest children, Myrthe and Gijs, stayed behind in the Netherlands. Through our eldest children, we got the idea to make a long journey. In 2017, they were traveling the world themselves, which inspired us to travel through Scandinavia by camper van.
Sweden is truly a beautiful country to travel through. Denmark and Norway as well, of course, but Sweden appealed to us the most. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and the nature is incredible. That’s when you really realize how busy and rushed life in the Netherlands is. During the trip, the thought arose that one day we might take the definitive step and move to Sweden. We took that feeling back home with us, and it continued to simmer in our minds. After resuming our old lives, we eventually started searching online for possible emigration options.”
Living and working in Sweden
“In November 2018, we found an online listing: ‘Living and working in beautiful Värmland,’ where a campsite was for sale. After a brief discussion, we decided to go there a few days later to see if it would suit us. We hadn’t visited that area during our 2017 trip. I honestly have to say that I find the area where we are now even more beautiful than the places we had already seen. Once we arrived, we immediately felt that this was exactly what we were looking for.
We drove back, and after five or six kilometers, we looked at each other and said, ‘Shall we just do it?’ That was truly the moment to say yes to emigration. If something feels right, we go for it. In December 2018, we bought the campsite from the previous owners, who were also Dutch. We agreed that we would officially take over the campsite after the summer of 2019.”
Still in touch
“Emigrating involves a lot. Personal identification numbers, business registration numbers, resigning from work—it’s just the tip of the iceberg. So much comes your way. That also includes finding a moving company. Through the internet, we came across De Jong Removals. I saw they were based in Woudsend, and I’m originally from that area myself, which was a nice coincidence.
The move itself went smoothly. It was a truck and a trailer completely full—a massive load. It’s impressive how every corner of such a truck is used. Everything was packed with care and done very neatly. Three weeks after our emigration to Sweden, our household goods arrived. To this day, I’m still in contact with De Jong Removals. Every now and then, I help out with a moving job in Sweden—just a few times a year. It’s nice that these kinds of connections are formed and remain even after a move.”
Camping Lagom
“From September 1 onward, we officially took over the campsite. That allowed us to learn the trade and still enjoy a bit of the late season. After that, we renovated the thirteen buildings here according to our own taste, creating a cozy, Dutch-style atmosphere. We also created a small restaurant where you can, for example, enjoy a coffee with a piece of cake. Before, it felt rather cold and impersonal; now, in our opinion, it has a warm and welcoming vibe.
Our campsite is called “Lagom” We chose this name deliberately because it’s a typical Swedish word. It literally means ‘not too little, not too much, but just right.’ That’s what we want to stand for as well: the idea that everyday life is truly enough. It should be well cared for and done with attention, but not over the top or overly luxurious. We also want to be sustainable and show that you can take care of yourself, others, and the world.”
COVID-19 times
“We were very enthusiastic about the start of the 2020 season—until COVID-19 happened. Many bookings were ready to go, but not many of them remained. Especially foreign guests canceled, for understandable reasons. At first, we were afraid that no one would come at all, but in the end, it wasn’t that bad. For this year as well (2021), there are some bookings here and there, but it’s nothing spectacular yet. Still, it’s nice to see that guests come from different countries. Most are from the Netherlands, but we also welcome guests from Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Denmark.”
Overwhelmingly enthusiastic
“It’s really great to hear that people leave overwhelmingly enthusiastic—about the location, the campsite itself, and the hospitality. I’m not saying that to brag, but it simply gives a very good feeling. At the moment, our campsite has between 80 and 100 pitches, ranging from caravans to tents. We also have two hostels, six cottages, and two wooden tipis. Altogether, that’s more than 80 beds. There are many possibilities, and we chose that deliberately. Not a simple campsite, but one we can truly make a living from.
Because of our growth, young people from the Netherlands will come to help us at the campsite next summer. At first, we did everything together as a couple, but it’s too much work to sustain that. The young helpers receive room and board, and special accommodation is arranged for them. That way, they can work alongside us and experience a great time in Sweden.”
The simplicity of life
“It’s not that everything here is perfect, but we certainly don’t want to return to the Netherlands anytime soon. We’ve only just settled here, and as far as we’re concerned, we’ll be staying in Sweden for a long time. We love the nature, as well as the Swedes themselves, who are much calmer and more relaxed than the Dutch.
In the Netherlands, everything had to be done quickly; there was constant rushing back and forth, and you never had enough time. Here, it’s different. It’s especially the simplicity of life that appeals to us. You come across things here that you had almost forgotten existed. I’m not a completely different person, haha, but the environment and the atmosphere definitely change you.”
