On the edge of the football fields of sports association Advendo in Breda-North, it is teeming with children running around this weekend. In the shade of large trees they make exuberant use of the bouncy castles or they sit together in front of their tents. This entire weekend the site has been transformed into a neighborhood camping site and it distinguishes itself from any other campsite in one important way: almost all children have their first camping experience here. “Especially in the beginning it was very exciting,” admits Taleb (10).
On Friday evening, after the live music and the campfire, they crawled into their tents full of excitement. Diego (10)’s army green is very special, he thinks. “It belonged to a soldier.” They bought it at a thrift store. Diego slept there with his brother Max and his stepfather Leon. “We are very happy with this campsite”, says Leon. Everything is free, there are plenty of activities and children can visit each other. It’s their only vacation getaway. “There is nothing more to it. Life has ups and downs and we are currently in a difficult period,” says Leon.
“This is a neighborhood with a lot of cultures.”
Their neighbors at this campsite are Djino and Djulien, both nine years old. The boys share a bowl of grapes and tomatoes and talk a lot. “We have slept in a tent before,” says Djulien. That was in the backyard at his house. But this is different. If only because of the bouncy castles they can enjoy themselves on.
The neighborhood campsite is being organized for the second year by a group of volunteers led by Lenard Schouten (32). “We don’t just do it for the kids in the neighborhood, everyone is welcome.” He sees that there is a need. “There are also elderly people who live alone and have company from the neighbourhood.” Lenard sees friendships developing and above all, he says, growing understanding for each other. “This is a neighborhood with many different cultures that have little contact with each other. But here it arises very easily.”
Already after the first year he saw that more neighbors were coming to the campsite. But not everyone stays asleep. Most of the 120 visitors go home in the evening. “Not everyone is used to sleeping in a tent because of their own culture”, he now knows.
“I think it’s wonderful when new contacts arise.”
Amena did spend the night at the campsite with her husband, nephew Taleb and sister-in-law Rimass, age 12. “It’s very safe, the gates are closed and there are security guards around all night.” She thinks it is special that neighbors here get along so easily. “It feels like one big family”. Taleb adds that he makes friends very easily here.
“I think it’s wonderful when I see that new contacts are created,” says Lenard Schouten, beaming. The only fight is the final water fight on Sunday, he says with a laugh. “And then we’ll clean up again.”
