Utrecht, 29 September 2026 – A sleeping bag lying unused in the loft or a sleeping mat that hasn’t been taken on holiday for years. During the Camping & Caravan Jaarbeurs , visitors can donate these items to the Salvation Army. Under the slogan ‘How many kilos of warmth will you donate?’, the fair is collecting clean and usable camping and outdoor gear to give it a valuable new lease of life. All donations are collected and weighed.
Willeke de Bruin, business market relations manager at the Salvation Army: “At the Salvation Army, we are committed every day to a society in which no one has to sleep on the streets. Unfortunately, that is not yet the reality. That’s why a sleeping bag or sleeping mat is often invaluable to people without a home. Through this campaign, visitors are not only giving their camping gear a new lease of life, but they are also providing warmth, shelter and comfort to people who desperately need it.”
Outdoor gear with an impact
A lot of camping and outdoor gear ends up in the loft over time, even though it is still perfectly usable. With this campaign, the organisers aim to inspire visitors to give items they no longer use a valuable new lease of life. At the same time, Kampeer & Caravan Jaarbeurs and its visitors are supporting the work of the Salvation Army, which works daily to help people in vulnerable situations. Rachel Jankowsky, exhibition manager at Kampeer & Caravan Jaarbeurs: “Campers know better than anyone how important a warm sleeping bag or comfortable sleeping mat can be. Through this initiative, visitors are giving items lying unused at home a new purpose. This reflects the sense of community we so often see within the camping world. We are proud that, together with our visitors, we can contribute to the important work of the Salvation Army.” During the fair, visitors can hand in clean and usable sleeping bags and sleeping mats at a special collection point. Afterwards, the donations will be handed over to the Salvation Army, which will use the items in its outreach work.
About Kampeer & Caravan Jaarbeurs
The Camping & Caravan Jaarbeurs has been the go-to meeting place for camping enthusiasts from across the Netherlands for decades. From 30 September to 4 October 2026, thousands of visitors will flock to Utrecht for inspiration, advice and the latest developments in camping and the outdoor lifestyle. As well as caravans, motorhomes, tents and accessories, this year’s fair will feature, amongst other things, the new Utrecht Camping Village, where visitors can experience the atmosphere and lifestyle of camping.
