What is Camp Heumensoord?

Camp Heumensoord is the temporary military camp built exclusively for the military participants of the 4Daagse, and it is dismantled after the march. Heumensoord is a wooded area that has also served as a refugee camp. It also features a shooting range, a sports airfield, and the remnants of a Roman watchtower.

During the march week, approximately 7,000 people reside at Camp Heumensoord, of whom about 5,000 are participants and the rest belong to the staff of the various delegations.

All buildings in the area are constructed from tents with plastic walls, which, besides being practical, also allows them to function like refrigerators at night. So, remember to bring your sleeping bag.

There is basically everything you need there. In addition to the sleeping tents, there is a medical station, dining hall, beer tent, kiosk, and café, among other things. Some of the delegation countries also have their own bars where they sell various drinks and similar items.

The Beer Tent

At the beer tent, as the name suggests, you can buy beer, but they also have wine and soft drinks. There is also the possibility to buy late-night food, such as pizza or French fries, if you feel hungry in the evening.

You cannot pay with cash at the beer tent (this applies to the entire area); instead, you must exchange cash for tokens (polletter) which you then use as currency.

Especially in the days leading up to the march, the beer tent is in full swing, but once the march has started, it usually calms down a bit for understandable reasons. We usually do not spend too much time at the beer tent but try to end the days with some pizza and a couple of beers.

The Sleeping Tents

There isn’t really much to say about the sleeping tents. Those who have completed their military service will recognize the environment. You either sleep in a shared tent with your team or in an individual tent if you are marching individually.

There is no electricity, and space is limited. With 16 people sleeping per tent, it usually gets a bit messy.

The Food

The food is perfectly acceptable, and you manage excellently by just eating what is offered. Of course, there are some things one will never understand, like white bread with chocolate sprinkles for breakfast, but it is what it is.

Lunch is usually very simple, and during the march days, lunch is eaten at one of the rest stops. Dinner, however, tends to be a bit more elaborate.

The image above shows a typical dinner at the camp.

During the march days, breakfast is important, but it is often not so easy to eat properly at 2:30 AM. You do your best and take a banana with you that you probably won’t eat anyway.

Other

Only participants are allowed into Camp Heumensoord, meaning you cannot have guests there. The area is guarded, and security is taken seriously. So, if you want to meet an acquaintance who does not live there, you must take the bus into town. The bus starts next to the beer tent and runs regularly until quite late in the evening.

I finish with a picture of the legendary boots and helmet, which is something you look forward to seeing when you return home in the evenings.