Camping de Lakens Internship: Stage Stories with Gioia and Life in the Dunes
Looking for an internship where you gain real guest-facing experience, receive close mentoring, and live just one dune from the beach? A Camping de Lakens internship places you in the heart of a unique coastal campsite set in Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland—about 100 steps from the sea. In this Stage Stories feature, meet Gioia and discover what day-to-day life looks like for interns who work, learn, and live among the dunes.
Meet Gioia: A Reception Stage in the Dunes
At 17, Gioia chose a reception internship at Camping de Lakens as part of her Tourism & Recreation studies at MBO College Airport. From July through November she served as a first point of contact at reception—helping guests from arrival to departure.
What stood out most to her? The guest contact. Every guest brings different questions, so no two days feel the same. She learned how much a warm welcome and a smile can shape someone’s experience and made it her mission to ensure guests felt seen and heard the moment they reached her desk.
Beyond reception, Gioia also explored her interest in communications. She contributed to social content by brainstorming ideas, helping build a content calendar, creating posts, filming reels, and even writing her own blog. For a hospitality intern, this kind of hands-on mix—guest care plus creative content—builds a versatile skills set that is highly valued across tourism.
Living the Dune Life with Fellow Interns
One of the hallmarks of a stage at De Lakens is the on-site living option. If you choose to live internally, you share accommodation with other interns just a stone’s throw from reception and the beach, with lively beach bars nearby. That proximity means you start and end shifts in the middle of the dunes—an energizing setting that keeps you connected to the sea and nature.
The work floor has a cozy, informal atmosphere where friendships easily form. Gioia’s stage supervisor offered support and motivation whenever needed, creating a safe space to grow. That combination—tight-knit team culture, supportive guidance, and beachside living—helps interns settle in quickly and focus on their learning goals.
Real Responsibilities: Reception, Content, and Festival Vibes
Interns at Camping de Lakens experience real responsibility:
- Reception tasks as the guest’s first point of contact
- Active listening, problem-solving, and service recovery
- Clear, friendly communication across channels (face-to-face and digital)
- Opportunities to assist with social media content and planning
Festival energy comes with the territory too. Gioia welcomed guests arriving for the Surfana Festival held at the campsite—scanning tickets, putting on wristbands, and soaking up the event atmosphere. And the best part for her: interns could also attend the festival.
From a learning perspective, events sharpen crowd-handling, communication, and teamwork under live conditions—core competencies for any tourism career.
Events You’ll Experience: Surfana Festival and Dune Fest
- Surfana Festival: For a long weekend, Camping de Lakens transforms into a creative playground of music, nature, art, workshops, and easygoing energy. In 2025 the dates ran from 12–14 September. Families and friends enjoy daytime workshops and kids’ activities, then dance under the stars at night.
- Dune Fest: A festive evening right at the Gestrand playground on the campsite, typically running 17:00–21:00. Kids dive into organized activities with the recreation team while adults relax with live music. A food truck and outdoor bar keep the good vibes flowing.
As an intern, you’ll be immersed in the seasonal rhythm—welcoming festival-goers, seeing how recreation and entertainment come together, and understanding how different teams (reception, hospitality, activities) collaborate to deliver memorable experiences.
Why This Environment Accelerates Your Growth
Camping de Lakens combines coastal adventure with a full-service hospitality operation—ideal for interns eager to learn by doing.
- One dune from the beach: You’re working where guests come for sea, sand, and nature—learning beach-campsite dynamics first-hand.
- Located in Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland: Operating in a protected dune landscape sharpens your awareness of responsible tourism.
- Surf culture on site: Surfana Surfschool runs directly from its camp at the campsite and offers lessons for all levels, contributing to the vibrant surf vibe guests love.
- Wellness and energy: The site features a Wellness Dome with sauna, massage, beauty, and yoga sessions, plus an on-site gym. Guests enjoy free access to the gym and sauna during their stay.
- Food & convenience: Restaurant Gestrand sits amid the dunes with a big playground next door, and the on-site SPAR Supermarket bakes fresh bread each morning.
- Easy exploring: The "Behind the Beach" bicycle-rental shop next to Restaurant Gestrand makes it simple for guests to discover the area—knowledge you’ll use when guiding them at reception.
- Unique activities: Dunegolf blends minigolf with playful dune challenges, and the Plastic Soup Walk offers a self-guided beach clean-up with free kits from reception—great examples of active, eco-minded leisure.
- Recognized quality: The campsite holds quality labels from ANWB, PiNCAMP, ACSI, and HISWA-RECRON, as well as the Green Key Gold sustainability certification.
Together, these elements make the campsite a living classroom where you can connect service excellence with nature-centered hospitality.
Quick Answers for Future Interns
What does a Camping de Lakens internship involve?
You’ll act as a first point of contact at reception—welcoming guests, answering questions, and supporting their stay. Depending on your interests, you can also contribute to social media content and other projects under a supportive stage supervisor.
Where do interns live?
If you choose an internal internship, you’ll live on-site with fellow interns—a short walk from reception and the beach, close to vibrant beach bars.
How close is the beach?
The beach is just one dune away—about 100 steps—so guests (and the team) can be on the sand in minutes.
What is Surfana Festival?
A once-a-year weekend where the campsite becomes a hub of music, nature, art, workshops, and easygoing vibes. In 2025 the festival took place on 12–14 September.
What is Dune Fest?
An evening event at the Gestrand playground, running from 17:00 to 21:00 with kids’ entertainment, live music, and open food truck and bar.
What facilities should I know about when helping guests?
- Restaurant Gestrand with a large playground
- SPAR Supermarket baking fresh bread daily
- Wellness Dome (sauna, massage, beauty, yoga) and gym; gym/sauna are free for overnight guests
- "Behind the Beach" bicycle rental next to Gestrand
- Dunegolf and the Plastic Soup Walk (cleanup kits available free at reception)
What’s special about the location?
Camping de Lakens is set in Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland, so operations balance guest enjoyment with nature protection—a valuable perspective for modern tourism professionals.
Practical Takeaways for a Standout Stage
- Lead with warmth: A sincere smile and friendly welcome shape the entire guest journey.
- Ask for stretch projects: If social media or content creation excites you, raise your hand—Gioia’s stage included content ideation, calendars, posts, and reels.
- Learn during events: Volunteer for tasks at busy moments (like festival check-ins) to sharpen communication and crowd-flow skills.
- Know the site by heart: Walk the routes guests ask about—beach access, Restaurant Gestrand, SPAR, bicycle rental, Wellness Dome—so your directions are confident and clear.
- Embrace eco-minded activities: Recommend the Plastic Soup Walk to guests, and notice how small acts reinforce a greener stay.
- Stay guest-ready: Short shifts near the beach are energizing—use the dunes to reset, then return focused and helpful.
- Reflect daily: Note challenges, wins, and guest feedback; it accelerates learning and builds professional confidence.
Conclusion: Grow Your Tourism Career by the Sea
A Camping de Lakens internship offers more than a role—it’s a lived experience in the dunes. You’ll hone service skills at reception, explore communications projects, and feel the buzz of events like Surfana Festival and Dune Fest. Add supportive mentoring, on-site living with fellow interns, and the beach steps away, and you have a launchpad for a meaningful career in hospitality and tourism.
Ready to learn, grow, and enjoy the dune life? Check our careers page for open internships and jobs across Kennemer Duincampings: De Lakens, Geversduin, and Bakkum.