If you have paid your membership fee then you should be entitled to participate in any of the rallies with the Caravan Club. If it's a booked meet then you need to get it booked as soon as possible to guarantee a pitch. That's the idea of joining a club so get the full use of your membership plus it's a good way of joining in and making new friends.
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Book, go, make yourselves known as 'newbies' when you arrive, join in with what you want to join in with and have a great time! They are only 'established groups' because they camp together often and get involved with activities. You won't be imposing - just adding some extra 'fuel' to their 'social fire'.
We went to a CC rally for one of their big events which they hold each year in our area. Although we had a formal welcome by the chairman and his wife as this was our first rally we did not feel comfortable in the hall for the evening ceremonies etc. Everybody was in established groups and we did not manage to speak to anyone even during the day.
I would recommend that you attend a few rallies beforehand to get to know a few people so that you don't feel left out.
Your first rally can be a bit daunting. People will try to make you feel welcome, but you do need to make an effort too.If you hide away, then people may think you want to be left alone and will respect your privacy.
We have been on two rallies. One small with our local centre the second was much bigger, the northern centres rally, which we attended with a neighbouring centre(my mistake when booking!)
On both occasions we were made to feel very welcome and were included in most things.
There are groups of people and at times we felt a little left out, but this is always going to be the case in whatever situation.
We would reccomend trying a rally with some organised activities arranged so it will be easier to mix in and enjoy it. Some are very simple weekends away and naturally people who already know each other will arrange to BBQ together etc.
Give it a go.
If there is a sit down meal it will be easier to get to know people on NYE. It can be difficult, as you say, when there are friendship groups within a centre. We always find it amazing that there are introductions for new ralliers just before you go home on Sunday morning!
After our second rally with CC and as per homebird, we decided to give them a wide berth in future. We have attended other rallies including a ukcampsite one and on each occasion had an enjoyable time.
To us club rallies seem dominated by a few people who like to be in cliques, but that may have only been the centre that we used so good luck with yours!