One of the best things about owning a caravan isn’t just having so many holidays, it’s having a wonderful community of like minded friends in your caravan park. When you buy a caravan you don’t just buy a holiday home, you buy into this community of people who are likely to become lifelong friends.
You meet up most weekends and throughout the holidays and your caravan community become like neighbours….only better. These are neighbours you’re on holiday with so you’re always in a good mood together!
The simplest was to create a community is to use the community spaces available to you.
You don’t just pass your caravan neighbours on your way to work or when you’re putting the bins out! You pass them as you walk to the beach or head off on a bike ride. You see them as you soak up the sun on your decking or read a book in the shade. You may even have a chat over your morning coffee as you water your plants in your dressing gowns!
I spend many weekends and most of my children’s school holidays at our caravan, so it’s unsurprising some of my closest friends are the other families in surrounding caravans. But it wasn’t always like this and it took a while to create my own community within the caravan site. It can be easier if you have dogs or children as there becomes an easy community around dog fields and play parks, but there are lots of other ways to meet people too.
Today I’d like to share some tips to foster a community feel or create a community if it doesn’t feel like there is one. Some of these ideas may involve speaking to your site owner to make small adjustments to make the whole park happier.
Make the most of community spaces
The simplest way to create a community is to use the community spaces available to you. Whether it’s a bar, a gym, a kid’s playpark or a dog-walking field, this is where people come together. If it’s a basic caravan park then garden areas, laundry rooms and bulletin boards can still be places to bring people together. Don’t forget that a lot of communities have been formed with nithing more thsn a gazebo on the grass.
A WhatsApp group is the perfect place to create a sense of community
Plant some flowers
You’d be amazed at what a difference having a few flowers around your caravan can make. Not only do they look pretty but they welcome passers-by to stop and chat. I was lucky enough to inherit a flower garden with my caravan plot and I’ve added to it by planting sunflowers and sweetpeas each season.
I’ve made so many friends on my caravan site because I’m often outside tending to my flowers. Other people have been encouraged to do the same and we help each other out by watering each other’s plants when we’re away (another reason why that WhatsApp group is handy!)
I’ve made so many friends on my caravan site because I’m often outside tending to my flowers
Create a WhatsApp Group or Facebook Page (and keep it positive!)
A WhatApp group is the perfect place to create a sense of community, whether you’re at your caravan or at home. People will introduce themselves as they join the group so you’ll begin to learn everyone’s names. People can suggest get-togethers and ask for advice or share recommendations, whether it’s about their caravans or things to do in the local area. It can become a really valuable resource as you discover hidden gems and local businesses through these recommendations!
Community WhatsApp groups have a tendency to get a little negative when they become a space to moan about site rules, noisy neighbours or recycling (we’re still moaning about the mystery man who puts cans in the glass bin!) so try to keep things positive.
WhatsApp is good for smaller caravan parks but a Facebook Page is better for a big park to avoid being swamped with notifications and chatter.
Start a book swap
My caravan site has a book swap in the laundry room and there’s a lovely community feel around sharing and swapping our favourite books. You’ll often find a couple of bookworms perusing the shelves and there’s an instant connection when you find someone with a shared love of books.
Create a BBQ area
Nothing brings people together like a BBQ so, if your site doesn’t have one already, try to arrange having one installed.
Create a club
Whether it’s a Running Club, a Knitting Club, a Cards Club or a Wine Club, creating a club is definitely the best way to create a community at your caravan site.
It may feel a little forced and many people don’t want to be the instigator but if you’re looking for someone to share your hobby with then other people probably are too.
Exercise clubs are always a great idea because most people need the group encouragement to stay motivated.
Organise events
Organising events during popular times in a caravan park, such as bank holiday weekends, is a great way to bring the community together. For we Brits a BBQ is usually a winner! If you’ve got access to a projector screen then an outdoor cinema night would be amazing or show a popular sporting event to pull in the crowds.
Arrange a community picnic
If an event is too much to organise then why not arrange a community picnic? Announce the time and location and everyone can bring their own food, drinks, camping chairs and picnic blankets. It’s a fuss-free way to get everyone together over food and drinks.
A big community game of cricket, rounders or football is always an extra bonus to bring people together.
Make sure there’s a bulletin board
This might be simple but a bulletin board becomes an area to gather, chat and share information. How else would people know about the WhatsApp group or the event you’re organising?
Create a community, not a clique
And finally, it’s really important to create a community rather than a clique. Smaller friendship groups are inevitable but the overall community should feel inclusive and welcoming for everyone involved.
