Meet the Calves: A Close-Up Look at Our 1,350-Head Farm

If you love authentic countryside breaks where nature, animals, and family time come together, you’ll feel right at home here. Meet the Calves: A Close-Up Look at Our 1,350-Head Farm invites you behind the scenes of the working farm right next to Camping De Reebok in Garderen. In this guide, you’ll discover how we care for around 1,350 calves with twice-daily automated feeding, how our sustainable energy setup powers the experience, and how families can combine a farm tour with a fun, carefree stay on the Veluwe.

By the end, you’ll know exactly what you can see on the farm, how the petting zoo works, and which on-site facilities make it easy to relax between adventures. You’ll also find quick answers to common questions and practical tips to plan a smooth, memorable visit.

Inside our 1,350-head calf farm

Step into a modern, animal-friendly operation at our farm, where approximately 1,350 calves are cared for in three barns located close to the farmhouse. We’re always happy to provide a tour, so guests can understand the routines that keep young animals healthy and calm.

Key facts at a glance:

• Around 1,350 calves on site
• Twice-daily automated feeding
• Early-life nutrition with milk, followed by muesli, pellets, and chopped straw
• Three barns near the farmhouse
• Farm tours available on request

What “automated feeding twice a day” really means

• Calves are fed consistently at set times, reducing stress and ensuring balanced intake.
• Early stages focus on milk. As calves grow, their diet is expanded to include a cereal-style muesli, pellets, and chopped straw.
• Automated systems help deliver precise portions, supporting steady development.

This careful progression from milk to solid feed reflects a widely used approach in calf rearing: start with easily digestible nutrition, then add textures and fiber as the digestive system matures. The result is a calm, predictable routine that supports animal well-being.

How we care for the calves: routines rooted in animal welfare

Our feeding program is designed “to make the life of the calves as animal-friendly as possible.” That principle shows up in the details:

• Predictable schedules help reduce anxiety and make handling easier.
• Gradual diet transition supports healthy growth and rumen development.
• Clean, dedicated barn spaces simplify hygiene and daily care.

On tours, you can learn how milk meals and later feeds differ, why chopped straw matters, and how consistent routines contribute to calmer, healthier calves.

From farm discovery to petting zoo fun

You don’t need to be a farmer to enjoy time with animals. Right by the entrance to the campsite you’ll find our petting zoo, home to animals you can feed and observe up close. It’s an easy way for children (and the young at heart) to connect with nature.

At the petting zoo you’ll find:

• Fallow deer
• Sheep
• Goats
• Chickens
• Peacocks

Each year around June, little ones are born at the petting zoo and can be seen growing into healthy adults—an unforgettable sight for families. It’s a gentle, hands-on counterpoint to the working calf barns, giving you two distinct animal experiences in one place.

The campsite next door: easy, family-friendly, and close to everything

Our farm is directly adjacent to Camping De Reebok, so you can balance barn tours and animal time with all the simple comforts that make a holiday truly relaxing.

Here’s what to expect on the campsite:

• One spacious, open grass field with clear sightlines, so it’s easy to keep an eye on children while they play.
• Play facilities on the field for carefree family time.
• Modern sanitary building with separate ladies’ and gents’ areas, multiple toilets and showers, two private wash cabins, an accessible toilet, two enlarged showers (for people with reduced mobility or for children), and a urinal.
• Baby facilities available in both sanitary areas.
• Underfloor heating throughout the sanitary building for added comfort.
• Information room between the sanitary sections with cycling and walking routes and local tips.
• Laundry and utilities: washing machine, dryer, fridge with freezer, and a spinner.
• Covered dishwashing area at the front with six washing stations.
• Renewed power supply: 10 amp electricity with modern power pedestals including a water tap and drain at every pitch.
• Separate entrance for the campsite alongside the petting zoo, and a car park next to the campsite for convenient access.

You’re also perfectly placed to explore the Veluwe. The campsite sits about 800 meters from the village of Garderen, a beloved holiday destination in the heart of this green region. For inspiration, see our surroundings guide.

Sustainability in action: energy for the farm and campsite

Our approach to care extends to the environment. As part of our commitment to sustainable operations:

• 264 solar panels on the barn roofs make the farm and campsite self-sufficient in electricity.
• No gas usage: all required heat is generated by a wood-fired pellet heater.

This clean-energy setup reduces reliance on fossil fuels and underscores our goal to operate in a more environmentally friendly way. Learn more about our setup at Sustainable Energy.

A day at De Reebok: how to combine farm life and leisure

Make the most of your time with a simple plan that blends farm discovery, outdoor play, and local exploration:

1. Start with a guided look at the calf barns to see how automated feeding works and how the young animals develop from milk to solid feed.
2. Visit the petting zoo to feed the animals and meet the fallow deer, sheep, goats, chickens, and peacocks.
3. Head back to the field for playtime and a relaxed lunch.
4. In the afternoon, explore nearby walking and cycling routes (pick them up in the information room) or enjoy a game on the Jeu de Boules court.
5. Round off the day with a family walk on the Veluwe heathlands or a short trip to one of the area’s attractions highlighted in our surroundings.

Practical campsite extras that come in handy:

• Covered bike parking with charging points
• Site map to choose your ideal spot on the open field
• Option for artificial grass under the awning

Note: The campsite opens on 1 April. For current rates and any seasonal offers, see our Rates and Offers.

Quick answers: Meet the Calves — A Close-Up Look at Our 1,350-Head Farm

Where is the farm?

The farm sits directly next to Camping De Reebok at Sleedoornweg 29 in Garderen, in the middle of the Veluwe.

Do you offer farm tours?

Yes. We’re always ready to give a tour so you can learn about the barns, the automated feeding routine, and the calves’ diet progression.

How are the calves fed?

• Automatically, twice a day
• Early diet: milk
• Later diet: muesli, pellets, and chopped straw

Can children feed animals?

Yes—at the petting zoo, where feeding is allowed. You’ll find fallow deer, sheep, goats, chickens, and peacocks there.

When can we see baby animals?

At the petting zoo, little ones are typically born around June and can be seen growing through the season.

What on-site facilities make family stays easy?

A large, open grass field with play areas, modern sanitary facilities (including baby amenities and accessible options), laundry and dishwashing stations, an information room with cycling and walking routes, renewed 10-amp power with water and drainage at each pitch, and convenient parking next to the campsite.

Is the campsite powered sustainably?

Yes. With 264 solar panels and a wood-fired pellet heater, the farm and campsite are self-sufficient in electricity and operate without gas.

Practical tips for your visit

• Dress for the farm: wear closed, sturdy shoes when visiting the barns.
• Supervise young children around animals and equipment.
• Approach animals calmly and quietly; let them come to you.
• Wash hands after animal contact and before eating.
• Check the Rates and Offers pages to plan your stay and budget.
• Use the on-site information room to pick up cycling and walking routes for the day.
• If you’re bringing bikes, park them at the covered bike parking with charging.

Why this farm experience belongs on your family holiday

Combining a working calf farm with a family-friendly campsite creates a rare kind of break: peaceful, practical, and full of real-life learning. Seeing how calves are fed twice a day, understanding why their diet changes as they grow, and watching gentle animals at the petting zoo can spark curiosity and connection that last far beyond your stay.

Add in the space of a single, open grass field, thoughtful sanitary facilities (from baby care to underfloor heating), and the clean energy that powers it all—and you have a holiday base that feels both down-to-earth and forward-looking.

Conclusion: Ready to meet the calves?

From the barns to the petting zoo and the open field beyond, De Reebok brings the Veluwe’s rural charm to life. Meet the Calves: A Close-Up Look at Our 1,350-Head Farm is your invitation to learn, play, and unwind—all in one place.

• Explore the farm: Boerderij
• Say hello to the animals: Kinderboerderij
• Plan your stay: Camping, Rates, Offers
• Discover the area: Surroundings

Ready to experience it yourself? Book your pitch now via Online Booking or reach out on our Contact page. We look forward to welcoming you on the Veluwe!