On March 22 and 23, 2025, the very first combined edition of Camp & Carve and Houtmoeting (rough translation: Wood Gathering) took place – a unique gathering of spoon carvers, greenwood enthusiasts, and campers at Camping Twilhaar. With around 30 participants from both the Netherlands and abroad, it turned into an inspiring weekend where spoon carving took center stage, but relaxed togetherness was just as important.
A weekend full of wood, spoons, and connection
Spoon carving, sharing knowledge, and being together
Under a lovely spring sun, we gathered around a big pile of fresh wood, provided by Camping Twilhaar, to carve together, exchange techniques, and simply enjoy each other’s company. We had created a relaxed schedule where nothing was required and everything was possible. So there was plenty of room to do your own thing, but a few presentations were on the program:
- The Norwegian woodcarver Jeppe Nordmann Garly (@rockjeppe) took us through the story of a replica of a unique Viking spoon from Hedebo, Denmark.
- Jan van Mierlo (@frumingelo) shared his experiences carving replicas of the late medieval short-handled spoon.
- I (Carolina) gave an interactive ‘spoon lecture’ on the spoon as a symbol – a topic that sparked a lot of reflection and led to some beautiful conversations.
An unexpected twist: forest fire nearby
There was a tense moment: just three minutes from the campsite, a forest fire broke out. The wind was blowing toward the site, so we briefly had to consider whether evacuation would be necessary. Fortunately, the relieving news came quickly: fire under control. Thanks to the swift response of the Twente Fire Brigade, we were able to breathe easy and enjoy the rest of the weekend. No campfires due to the drought, but the oil lamps still created a lovely atmosphere in the evening.
Thank you!
An event like this can only exist thanks to the effort and presence of many people. A special thanks goes out to:
- Our speakers: Jeppe Nordmann Garly and Jan van Mierlo
- Our campfire chef Martijn Dikken (@martijndikken) and his team
- Egbert and Kirsten Torenbeek from Camping Twilhaar
- Nico de Wispelaere (@handgemaakt.geluk) for the beautiful logo
- Andy Vercruysse (@boshout.eu) for trusting us to organize Houtmoeting above the rivers
- And of course: all participants, for your enthusiasm, energy, and good vibes
And not to forget: big kudos to the forest fire squad of the Twente Fire Brigade
Looking ahead to 2026
I had been toying with the idea of organizing a camping weekend for spoon carvers for some time, so this Houtmoeting combined with Camp & Carve was a big experiment. The experiment turned out to be a great success, and that’s why we’re excited to announce the next edition of Camp & Carve!
You can already mark the date in your calendar: on March 21 and 22, 2026 we’ll be back at Camping Twilhaar! The ingredients stay the same: woodcarving, camping, sharing knowledge, and above all lots of fun. And hopefully a campfire again!
