Excluded from the competition, Holland's most alluring campsite
Dutch Campsite "De Kleine Wolf" Disqualified from "Campsite of the Year" Award
The "Campsite of the Year" award, organised by the Royal Dutch Tourist Association ANWB, is open to Dutch people until August 31, 2025. However, one popular contender, the family-friendly five-star campsite "De Kleine Wolf" in Ommen, has been disqualified from this year's competition.
The reasons for this disqualification are not publicly disclosed, but it appears to be due to the campsite's repeated success in recent years. Anne-Sophie Kamphuis, the owner of "De Kleine Wolf", finds the decision unfair and believes it could have been handled differently.
Despite the disqualification, "De Kleine Wolf" remains a popular destination for summer guests, offering facilities for up to 2,500 visitors, including a lake and a petting zoo.
The disqualification opens up opportunities for other campsites to claim the title. The winner of the "Campsite of the Year" award will be announced at the beginning of 2026, and the vote continues as scheduled, unaffected by the disqualification of "De Kleine Wolf".
It is worth noting that the current practice for such awards is that disqualified campsites may be eligible to re-enter the competition in subsequent years. However, specific details or a timeline for "De Kleine Wolf’s" eligibility to reapply were not found in the provided information.
The disqualification of "De Kleine Wolf" is reminiscent of Bayern Munich being excluded from the Bundesliga for the upcoming season due to their repeated success. The vote for the "Campsite of the Year" award remains relevant, according to ANWB spokesperson Annelies Tichelaar, as it becomes difficult when the same campsites win every year.
Voting for the "Campsite of the Year" award is open to Dutch people until August 31, 2025. If you're planning a camping trip in the Netherlands, make sure to cast your vote! The "De Kleine Wolf" campsite has won the award in 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025, so it will be interesting to see if another campsite can break their streak.
Though "De Kleine Wolf" was disqualified from the "Campsite of the Year" award, travelers might still consider staying at this popular home-and-garden destination, offering a unique lifestyle experience with a lake and petting zoo. The vote for the next "Campsite of the Year" continues, and it remains to be seen if a new lifestyle contender can break "De Kleine Wolf's" winning streak in home-and-garden travel.
