The Schlemmer Family
“We love the rich culture, the beautiful landscapes and beaches. It’s paradise for every outdoor person and music lover,” says Daniel.
A campground drew them here. The people made them stay. For the Schlemmer family, an opportunity to run the newly-purchased campground his parents bought offered a chance for a new life. Originally from Germany, the family fell in love with the beauty of Cape Breton and never considered leaving.
Daniel says they have travelled all over Canada, and the people of this Island are outstandingly friendly and welcoming. “We love the rich culture, the beautiful landscapes and beaches. It’s paradise for every outdoor person and music lover,” says Daniel.
Daniel says they benefitted from a lot of helpful tips and knowledge from people who have been here for decades. “At first you don’t know who to contact when you need something done, but we met a lot of great people who were always happy to help,” says Daniel.
For those thinking of making a move, Daniel recommends getting to know the area where you want to settle, and the programs available to help you do so. He says that one of the most challenging things about moving here was obtaining permanent residency. The process took five years, with a lot of planning, preparation and paperwork.
Daniel and his family began running the campground in 2009. At the time, the economy was suffering, particularly in the tourism sector. However, things improved. And then COVID hit. Running a small family business in a pandemic, in the tourism sector, is tough. Daniel says they could not have survived without the locals and those who travelled from the mainland of Nova Scotia to support their business. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This is something we won’t forget. Thanks for the kindness and unbelievable support during these challenging times. If you want to move to Cape Breton, just go for it. It is a truly amazing place to live and explore,” says Daniel.
We’re so glad they decided to pitch their tent here!
In February 2022, the Schlemmer family’s story was featured on CBC Cape Breton’s Information Morning. Click here to listen!
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