What tent pegs and Lauterbrunnen have in common

Kevin Schulz, Manager of Camping Jungfrau Lauterbrunnen

Welcome to Camping Jungfrau

In Lauterbrunnen, my day begins at home with my family and ends when all the bikes are parked at the campsite. In between, there are briefings, bookings, repairs, lots of conversations and little decisions to make. In peak season, up to 850 people spend their holidays with us at any one time. But how do you keep such a small camping town running?

At the breakfast table with my wife and daughters

The morning atmosphere at the entrance to our campground

Starting the day with a packed lunch

In the morning, my attention is focused on my family. My wife Caro and I get our two daughters ready, make their packed lunches and sort out which of us will head to the campsite first. Our younger daughter spends the day with her childminder, whilst the older one goes to school. In the past, work often came first for me. These days, I make a conscious effort to balance family and work. As soon as the children have left, our working day begins too..

Checking the keys against the transactions is part of my morning routine

I'll set out some fresh fruit from the store for the bungalows

Before the doors open

At the campsite, we start by getting an overview of the situation. For example, I check which guests didn’t arrive the night before, what’s left to do and what’s on the agenda for today. During the brief morning briefing, I go over the key points with the reception team. After that, the shop opens. From that moment on, the day takes on a life of its own. If day-to-day business is quiet, I spend the morning dealing with emails, projects and administrative tasks. Whilst the current season is still in full swing, budget and staff planning for next year is already underway. We also have to prepare the folklore evenings that will take place on our site. You don’t see much of this from the outside. But to ensure that everything runs smoothly for our guests later on, a great deal has to be organised behind the scenes.

Overview of the camping shop with the reception desk in the background

Shelf with wines from around the world

A crowd of guests at the front desk shortly after it opened around 9:00 a.m.

Packages containing kitchen accessories will be opened at the event venue at the campground

When the campsite comes to life

As the morning progresses, things start to get busy. Guests check out, motorhomes roll in, and little holiday homes spring up in front of the tents. In peak season, we accommodate around 800 to 850 people. With 265 pitches, including around 100 tent pitches, 45 accommodation units and about 75 pitches for long-stay guests, we’re almost like a small town at times. I particularly like the international mix. Guests from the UK and the Netherlands are well represented, and many travellers from the USA stay in our accommodation. In the low season, we see more people from Germany and Switzerland. So, when I’m out and about, I often hear several languages being spoken. The campsite also features a clubhouse and an event venue available for hire by groups, as well as the Weidstübli restaurant. For our younger guests, there’s a treasure hunt on the grounds and a playground. Various barbecue areas and a kitchen with a cooking island and fridge are also available. Encounters in places like this are what bring the site to life.

Manager, Jungfrau Lauterbrunnen Campsite

Kevin Schulz

«In summer, it’s a really special feeling to walk around the campsite and see all the activity going on here.»

Stepping in wherever I’m needed

Our business employs around 25 staff members. A large part of my work therefore involves coordination and problem-solving. At the same time, I enjoy getting stuck in with the practical side of things. We have a field team and an office team. The field team’s main tasks are allocating pitches to guests, providing information and maintaining the campsite. At reception and in the shop, the focus is more on bookings. If, for example, there’s a shortage of staff at reception, I step in there. If the shop needs a hand, I help out with sales. If a technical problem arises in one of the accommodation units or out on the site, I look into it together with the outdoor team. The rest is hands-on work, helping out wherever it’s needed at the time. That can mean all sorts of things. I’ve even replaced a heater in one of the accommodation units before. Sometimes a quick fix is all it takes; sometimes we need outside help.

Going on an inspection tour by bike

Orientation and Gathering Information from Guests on the Course

Every guest sees the place with different eyes

Every day is very different. What I find amusing is that the same pitch can be perceived completely differently by two people. One guest is unhappy because he doesn’t like the pitch. Five minutes later, the next one arrives, hammers in his tent pegs and says it’s the best pitch he’s ever had. That shows me just how personal holidays are. Then it’s all about listening, explaining things clearly and finding a solution together. Most guests, however, arrive happy. They get out of their vehicles, look up at the rock faces and marvel at the surroundings in Lauterbrunnen. For me, the guests are the absolute highlight. They’re impressed and amazed by our surroundings. Their enthusiasm reminds me every day just what a special place we work in.

Overview of the Campground During the Tour

A new life in three days

Before I came to Lauterbrunnen, I worked at the Zurich Marriott Hotel for almost nine years. As head chef, I led a team of around 27 chefs there. That was also when I met Caro. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I realised that I wanted to strike a different balance between family and work in future. Whilst visiting the campsite, the idea – rather half-jokingly – came up that I could take over as technical manager. Three days later, we’d handed in our notices in Zurich. With a young child, it was a risk, but it felt like the right thing to do. We worked as deputy managers for five years. When our predecessors moved on, we took over the reins ourselves. Today, we feel at home in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Among other things, I’m involved with the fire brigade and the local trade association. Caro co-founded the family association. What started out as a new place of work has become a home for us.

That's exactly where we spent our first night at the campground back then

Every gear meshes with the next

From the outside, a campsite often seems relaxed. Our guests sit outside their tents, cook together and enjoy their holidays. However, for their stay to feel so carefree, a great deal has to run smoothly behind the scenes. With our high occupancy rates, every cog must mesh perfectly. If something goes wrong, the team works together to find a solution. In the evening, the paths gradually empty. Guests sit together outside their tents and caravans, making plans for the next day. Then, sometimes, there’s a moment to look out over the site and up at the imposing rock faces. Quite a few people have pitched their tents here in Lauterbrunnen. But hopefully they’ll remember the place not just for the Staubbach Falls and the church, but also for those iconic nights spent surrounded by nature. Rumour even has it that some have stayed here for good and never left.