The Campsite

We ended up deciding to camp at Bracciano - a decision we were delighted with - in particular after we arrived.

For some background on booking the site, let me digress.  The Italian people are among the most wonderful people I have ever dealt with.  They're friendly, cheerful and good natured.  They will very much go out of their way to help however they can - many experiences during our camp were testimony to this.  They sometimes get labelled loud & awkward by people.  They're not - though they are thorough and organised.  Paperwork is very important to them

To obtain permission to camp at Bracciano, you do not contact the campsite.  You contact the AGESCI head office in Rome.  We did this - sending off a nice letter to them, requesting to hold our summer camp in Bracciano.  We presumed, that we'd get a simple yes or no answer but that was not to be.   Eventually, after many phone calls, we got a 5 page document of rules & regulations from them regarding Bracciano! 

Once we had translated them, these sheets were informative, telling us about camp rules & regulations, water points etc etc.

The Base at Bracciano is a training centre.  It is used throughout the year for various courses for P.L's, Leaders, Regional & District personnel etc.   There are 5 chalet's on site, each sleeping 12.  There is a lot of nice green grass in front of the chalet's.  Please remember that this area is not available to 'outside' groups on camp.  Exceptions to this rule may be possible.  As an example, we didn't arrive on site on our 1st night until about 10:30pm due to flight delays.  We were allowed use of the chalet's.  We used them on two other occasions - once after a bad rain storm and also on the night before we left Rome.  These exceptions were only possible because the Scuola or training camp was not in use on these occasions.

Next to the Base itself is the Bosco (Italian for Woods).  This is the area available for groups to camp in.  We were somewhat apprehensive of camping in a Woods.  It turned out to be fantastic.  There were many water (tap) points throughout our site.  The toilet block was literally at the edge of our site with telephones next to the toilet blocks.  The woods allowed us shelter from the heat.   In the middle of the day in Rome, it gets very very hot.  We were able to keep activities going on site all day, once we stayed within the woods.  Outside of it was just too hot.

The stated rules for Bracciano appear strict.  It was our experience, that once there was a good respect for the rules, then any reasonable request was possible.  We were allowed use the altar area for Mass, we used the campfire circle on the Base on numerous occasions.  (A curious note.  Before using the campfire circle, the Vigili de Fuoco (Fire Department) have to be notified as they keep a watch out on the area for smoke!  Salvatore will advise them for you on request).  The bottom line is - if you're fair with the authorities in Bracciano - they'll be more than fair with you.

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