The Van with a Plan
As an independent occupational and sensory therapist, Lien has over 17 years of experience in disability care. Together with her sister Lotte, an avid adventurer, and their partner Sigrid, they founded The Van with a Plan. Lien loves to share how their idea became a reality.
What if holidays could really happen?
Holidays. For many families, that means sun, relaxation, and unwinding.
But for families with sensory-sensitive children, it often means the opposite: unpredictability, stress, sensory overload, and constantly having to explain, adjust, or compensate.
I saw it time and again with the families I worked with. And then an idea started bubbling up. What if I could help? What if holidays were possible? What if your child could feel safe, even when traveling somewhere new?
What if, as a parent, you could truly exhale for a moment? Those were the questions that started it all.
And so The Van with a Plan was born: a specially adapted camper van, complete with a tailored travel plan and routes, making holidays possible for your family too.
A camper that doesn’t add stress, but actually brings calm. A home on wheels where children can decompress, a safe haven to return to after a day of exploring. A place with structure, visual supports, sensory comfort, and at the same time the adventure of the open road.
A camper that thinks along with you
Together with two passionate women who have personal ties to this target group, we developed a unique combination: a fully equipped camper van, with a plan tailored to both sensory avoiders and seekers.
We started with lots of dreams and ideas, but also needed someone to think along with us — because honestly, none of us had ever driven a camper before. Niels from Vanomobil became our guy.
We’ll admit, we really tested his patience with all our questions, tweaks, and wishes that didn’t fit the usual boxes. But he always stood by us, offering advice and out-of-the-box solutions. After much weighing of options, the Dreamer Family campervan turned out to be the perfect match.
Vanomobil is fully behind our project, and we feel that in everything: their involvement, their open mindset, and their willingness to help when we had rather odd questions during the purchase like: does the fridge truly make no noise? what if a child breaks something in sensory overload? can we see if a wobble cushion fits on the seats? where would the projector go?…
What families experience
We’ve already welcomed several test families, including one with three boys aged 9, 6, and 2. They took our camper out for a one-night trip and later shared their experience. What touched me most? That they truly felt heard.
“Lien really understood what we needed. Our kids are very sensitive to sound, but also love movement. The plan we received matched perfectly.”
They stayed overnight at our partner location with a large sensory garden, rode their little bikes, jumped on the trampoline, explored the woods. But they also found peace inside the camper: the sensory corner became a favorite, the visual plan board gave structure, and the drawing table came in handy right from loading up.
“For just one night it was maybe a bit much. Next time we’ll definitely book several days. But what a valuable experience to be able to get away in such an adapted way!”
What makes our camper different
We start from safety. From the reality of families where sensory processing isn’t straightforward.
Our goal is to give them a chance to breathe, to have fun, to connect — in their own time.
For some children, a camper trip is a leap into the unknown. For others, it’s an oasis of freedom. By tailoring our offering, we’re able to help both kinds of children and their parents truly thrive.
- A cozy sensory nook to unwind
- A visual planning board where families can hang their own icons
- A whiteboard table for drawing or planning
- Sensory tools, weighted stuffed animals, and fidgets included as standard
- Activities for good and bad weather
- A customized plan, adapted to your needs
I see the wonder every single time.
I see it when children find their own little spot in the camper.
When parents say, for the first time in years: “This is truly a holiday.”
When families discover that yes, they can travel — when the circumstances are right.
That’s why we do this.
That’s why The Van with a Plan exists.
And that’s why we’re so grateful for people like Niels and a dealer like Vanomobil, who helped us take that first, crucial step: buying the right campervan to fit our vision.
Want to know if this might be something for your family? Feel free to get in touch.
Lien, Lotte, and Sigrid will explore with you what you need for a safe, warm, and sensory-friendly travel experience.
For more information, visit: www.thevanwithaplan.com
