2009 Dutch (NL4) Summer Tour

NL 4 organized by: RC Loon op Zand / RC Oisterwijk and RC Schiedam / RC Vlaardingen / RC Maassluis.

Period: Saturday 27 June until Saturday 11 July 2009.

Age: 17 - 19 year; so at arrival in Holland not younger than 17 and not older than 19

Conditions: be able to swim and bike and be sportive

Group size: max.16 participants

Theme: ”Holland Outdoor”, “Water and wind”

Theme First Week: “Holland Outdoor”.

In the middle of Brabant you’ll find the two villages Loon op Zand (Kaatsheuvel) and Oisterwijk “The pearl of Brabant”. They are surrounded by a great deal of natural beauty, of which the forests and fens enjoy national recognition. It is a beautiful area that offers a lot of possibilities to develop all kinds of outdoor activities. Besides this the town of Kaatsheuvel is also known for its family park. Each year more than 3 million people visit this beautiful family park with unique fairytale surroundings called the Efteling.

– – Loon op Zand – – Efteling – – Oisterwijk – – Loonse en – – Drunense Duinen – –

Loon op Zand and Oisterwijk are also situated close to one of the Dutch National Parks “De Loonse en Drunense Duinen”. Giving us plenty of freedom to plan for a variety of outdoor activities in the program. Biking- and swimming activities and a survival day will be combined with a one day visit to the Efteling. Because in the past the area around Oisterwijk and Loon op Zand was famous for its textile-, leather- and shoes industry some outdoor activities can be combined with cultural aspects like visiting a museum. All activities are assisted by Rotary members or their family relations. Some evenings and overnight you will stay with Dutch families at their homes and have much opportunity to meet the Dutch culture and exchange your own culture. We will also give you the opportunity to meet young people from our region during evening sessions like Barbeque and other social events.

Theme second week: “Water and Wind”.

Schiedam

Vlaardingen

Maassluis

After your stay in Loon op Zand/ Oisterwijk, the second week (from 4/7 – 11/7), you are welcome in Schiedam/Vlaardingen/Maassluis. Cities located direct west of Rotterdam and very close to each other on the north border of the Waterway who leads to the Northsea.

Schiedam is an old city (1260) and known mainly for its gin industry, her 6 tallest windmills in the world and the characteristic buildings alongside the canals.

Vlaardingen was granted privileges by Count Floris the fifth in 1273. But the oldest remains found go back to about 2900 BC. It has a famous Fishing Museum because the fishing industrie was the main source of income in the fifteenth century. The five centuries of fishery have decided the outlook of the inner city.

Maassluis meanes “Lock at the estuary of the river Maas” and came to existence in 1343. For centuries the sea had been the main source of life for the inhabitants, since everything evolved around the fishing industry. Later on Maassluis became the most imported homeport of Dutch towage.

For all this, the theme of the camp will be: “Water and Wind”.

During the week you will participate in all kind of activities , like visiting the windmills, musea, making boat trips going to the beach shopping and possible trip to Amsterdam etc..

For more info look at www.waterweg-westland.nl/welcome.html

Transport – if you travel:

Transport - if you travel:

By air -arrival at and departure from Amsterdam/Schiphol Airport ;

By train – arrival and departure at Amsterdam or Utrecht Central Station

By bus – arrival and departure at Amsterdam or Utrecht Central station

or Rotarians will meet you where you will arrive and bring you from where you will depart