About Us

With heart, hands and creativity

Almost 20 years ago we moved from the Netherlands to the Mecklenburg Lake District with Coralie's parents and took over this campsite. Step by step, a place has emerged that today reflects what is close to our hearts. For the past 5 years we - Douwe and Coralie - have been managing the campsite alone, always close to the place, to the people and to everything that is created here.

Douwe and Coralie from the Ellbogensee campsite

Creating things connects us. Wood, boats, beautiful objects, good espresso, and good conversation are simply part of who we are — they are part of how we live and fill this place with heart.

Douwe is a carpenter, boat builder and barista. He prefers to work with his hands. He builds, repairs and rethinks things made of wood - much of what happens on the site comes into being step by step. In addition, he is a passionate coffee geek: espresso machines are taken apart, understood and reassembled ;-) For him (and for us), a good espresso is simply essential - as a craft, as a quality and as a meeting point for conversations.

Coralie is a boat builder and artist. Creative expression is not an add-on for her, but part of daily life. She looks closely, connects people, places and ideas, and gives form to things that feel harmonious. She loves art and dreams of one day organizing Buitenkunst at the campsite - art outdoors, open to all, as part of the shared life here.

Laughing, working, eating - our team

Without our team, this campsite would just be a beautiful meadow. Here, people with very different backgrounds, languages, and favorite dishes work together. Permanently employed, seasonal, local and from far away – everyone brings something and takes something home.

We believe: Those who work well together should also eat together. That’s why the café, store and reception close briefly every day. Not out of laziness, but for recharging. Lunch break for everyone. Afterwards we are back – friendlier, more organized and in a much better mood.

In the evenings, we often cook together. Recipes, spices and stories from all over the world come together. Sometimes chaotic, mostly delicious – and quite connecting. This transforms work into a summer you won't forget so quickly.

Sandra

Reception / Berry Collector

Marti

Organic Store & Café / World Explorer

Nancy

Cleaning / Indispensable

Bene

Technical / Responsible for the rest

Noortje

Organic Store & Café / Always in motion

Valentin

Cleaning / Cleans, marvels, invents

Elisabeth

Summer Program / Yoga, Massage, Well-being

Silke & Pauline

Kitchen / Sweets, Burgers, Beats & Teamwork

What Matters to Us

We appreciate things with edges and corners.
Not everything has to be the same. Or perfect. Originality sticks, brings joy and opens new perspectives. Our place can be unique - just like the people who arrive here.

Perfect is boring.
We like traces of wear, patina, and things that are allowed to change. What has grown organically often feels more right to us than something new.

A little humor never hurts.
Lightness, spontaneity, and a wink help to not take everyday life too seriously. And make being together simply better.

Curiosity is our engine.
We experiment, learn, and remain open. To people, ideas and little adventures. And we invite our guests to rediscover the outdoors - playfully, without a plan.

Slow is good.
We believe in slow travel. Having time. Taking breaks. Looking closely. Those who go more slowly see more - and take more home with them.

Conscious, but relaxed.
We choose sustainability without dogma. Not perfect, but honest. With joy, attitude - and sometimes a little friction.

Between Idea & Everyday Life

Sanitary Building

With the construction of our sanitary buildings, sustainability was the focus from start to finish - from the design to the choice of materials to use. The small sanitary building was built as a wooden post structure from regional pine wood, insulated with foam glass gravel made from recycled glass and wood chippings clay, supplemented by clay plaster for a healthy indoor climate.

Already in the design, the focus was on sustainable design. Therefore, we opted for robust, yet timeless materials such as Cradle-to-Cradle gold-certified tiles from Mosa and refurbished old wooden doors. Things you love are not thrown away: They age well, feel right even after years and invite care, repair and preservation - this is where we see an important aspect of sustainability.

The large sanitary building also tells our story: we built the first one ourselves almost entirely, except for the technology and the foundation slab. For the second one, we lacked the strength and time - therefore, we opted for a prefabricated Finnish log cabin from Polarlifehaus based on our design, a 100% natural product made of solid wood.

Regional, Organic Supply

Our store and café stand for conscious enjoyment with provenance. We offer exclusively organic and fair-trade products - from fresh rolls and homemade cakes to seasonal vegetables, spreads, juices, wine, and cider. A diverse vegan selection is a matter of course for us.

Regional producers are an essential part of our product range: Twice a week, local meat producers sell their products directly on site. This keeps transport routes short, quality traceable and added value in the region.

This approach strengthens sustainable agriculture and small farms in rural areas. The store and café invite you to pause, discover and consciously enjoy regional diversity.

Cycles Instead of Waste

Our infrastructure is designed so that resources are consciously used and kept in circulation. Our drinking water comes from our own wells, is purified through a filtration system, and is tested annually by the environmental laboratory. We use electricity from renewable sources, the hot water preparation is done via heat pumps, and we operate an in-house wastewater treatment system. Thus, we take responsibility for water, energy, and the environment - and consistently rely on sustainable solutions instead of waste.

Campingplatz