New to CC and interested in Rallies

Hi,

We have camped and caravanned for the last 4 years with an ever improving set up but the majority of our friends own tents so really dont tend to do a lot over the Autumn, Winter or Spring months and having just bought ourselves a beautiful new Elddis Avante we are raring to go, make the most of our money and give some out of season holidaying a go! We have two girls of 8 and 13 and the thought of us dragging them off with just us parents to hang out with doesnt exactly fill them with excitement  - haha! I think its time we perhaps try some rallies, So we've just joined the CC and want to hear what the thoughts are about rallies with families and how they work really...we live on Essex / Suffolk border so am looking at North Essex or Suffolk I imagine...are we limited to who we can join with? Complete newbie to it all so Thankyou