Eurocamp - any advice?

[Mum2BenjyElizaNel]

We're eurocamping in southwest france for the first time this summer. Any tips out there from anyone more experienced? 'We' is me, my husband, my 8 year old son, and my 4 year old and nearly 2 year old daughters. Any inside info gratefully received!

[MintChocChippyMinton]

OOh lovely - tent or mobile home? We're off this week, i've lost count of how many times we've done it.
Plan your route using viamichelin and allow extra time for stops.
Take snacks/drinks/story tapes etc for the journey.
If you havn't booked linen, you will need to take sheets, pillowcases and towels. Bedding for travel cot too.
teatowels
clothespegs
CD player/LW radio
swimming gear & towels. The site may insist on speedo type trunks.
Ask me anything you like. I should be packing!!

[KTWhoMustNotBeNamed]

ooh I was going to start a similar thread!

How well equipped are the mobile homes in terms of kitchen equipment?

I see to remember someone recommending taking a spare towel to use as a shower mat....

[KTWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Just found this on the website we booked through....

Things to take:

Sheets, pillow cases, or better still sleeping bags. Also kitchen towels, dishcloth, plug adaptor which is vital, matches, toilet paper. Also food favourites such as Marmite, peanut butter or your particular brand of tea. Baked beans are very hard to find but otherwise the local super/hypermarket will provide most things especially salad, fruit, bread and those croissants.

[MintChocChippyMinton]

I always take a bath mat
Some companies are wired for 3 pin plugs, but better to take one just in case.
We tend to do a huge shop in the hypermarket when we get there for stuff like tinfoil to line the grill pan and barbeque, washing up gloves and the holy grail - a sharp knife!

[Mum2BenjyElizaNel]

o great, thanks. WE're staying in a tent. We have booked everything possible to be there - linen etc, as we are going by train and want to minimise luggage. I cannot wait! how comfy is the double bed in the tent? This is VERY important to me! Also what's the atmosphere like - is it quite communally with people chatting and being nice, or is it quite London,with everyone avoiding eye contact at all times! Or maybe it varies from camp to camp?

[MintChocChippyMinton]

Not stayed ina tent yet, waiting till the DC are a bit older, so no idea about the beds. I find you can be as friendly or as private as you like. The children play together and that's the opener to invite your neighbours for a glass of wine.
Travel light - there will be a launderette with dryers & irons on site. Something easy to slip on for early morning trips to the shower block, and a nice big toilet bag that you can hang up to contain everything.

[Tortington]

we laways stay in tents - it much depends on the camp as to the atmosphere - the double beds are economical in their width so means much closeness to dh.

open up the bedroom compartments so that its more spacious.
dont forget a t-towel - wahing upwith a bathtowel isn't the done thing.

[Tortington]

if you take hangers with you there is a place to hang clothes in the tent - however we always leave stuff int he suitcase.

[SpiritualKnot]

I used to work for Eurocamp as a Courier and slept in the tents for around 2 months. The beds are real comfy with proper mattresses. Didn't sleep on a double though. Think they were around 4'6", so like a normal double. Warm at nights, even if it rains, so just need lightweight sleeping bags and pillows. I went there with just a rucksack on foot. There's everything you need for cooking and eating for 8 people. Everyone's very friendly and you don't need many clothes etc as they dry out pretty quick.
There'll be a shop on site for food. Most people there will be British, there's be some Germans and Dutch there as well. They usually tend to have young kids as well, so yours will have others to play with. If I was going on foot I'd just take lightweight clothes, swimwear, hats and suncream, a few towels, pyjamas and a torch.
I worked there about 15 years ago..can't believe it's that long! Things may have changed, but it'll still be great!
SK