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Owl Patrol - 2nd UK Night Camp
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The 2nd Owl Patrol Camp took place on Friday 14th February to Monday 17th
February 2003 at St Katharine�s, Parmoor. We welcomed families from all over
the UK as well as the US, France and Cuba.
Owl Patrol Camp We are once again delighted that Miriam Berry, one of our
volunteers has written up the Camp Diary:
Friday 14 February 2003
After another year�s planning and fund raising had come together, Ollie the
Owl was released from his box, where he had remained for the past year. His sign
was put at the bottom of the drive and St Katherine�s prepared itself for its
noisiest engagement of the year. As the volunteers unpacked the toys and games,
we were all reminded of the kindness and generosity of our local supporters. The
previously elegant rooms were filled to bursting with all the equipment we have
amassed, and again the dining room was transformed, this time into Hedwig�s
School of Owlology. Stars dangling from the ceiling grazed the heads of the
taller guests while Tory�s beautiful sign attracted many compliments.
Guests started to arrive from mid afternoon onwards. It was wonderful to
welcome back so many dear and familiar faces, as well as to meet others for the
first time; we were delighted to see the Serie Family who had driven all the way
from France, �Bama Boy Kevin from the US, the Cairneys from Scotland
(including the birthday boy himself) and Kira-Nerys & Kelsey from
Oxfordshire. We also had the last minute good news that Yuni, Idania and Bexy
were joining us from Cuba, this time accompanied by Bexy�s ophthalmologist Dr
Miguel Mokey Castellanos. It was not long before the old house was ringing with
the excited voices of our Owlology students; Albus Dumblewebb would have his
hands full keeping them in line!
After the first of many amazing meals, Sandra officially opened the second
Owl Patrol, taking the time to thank everyone who had worked so hard to make it
happen (though typically not acknowledging her hours and hours and hours of hard
work). It was then time for Professor Dumblewebb (resplendent in purple velvet
robes) to sort the students into their houses: Tawny, Snowy, Barn and Eagle. The
Sorting Hat was well aware which friendships needed to be preserved (as well as
which Alexes to keep well apart!). Then it was straight to work as the teams had
to make their hats and design their house emblems. Nor would the evening have
been complete without a game or twelve of �Witch, Witch Wizard�, the rules
of which were rather similar to those of �Duck, Duck Goose� and �Fish,
Fish Shark�. Meanwhile the parents were getting to know each other over a
glass of butterbeer and once again enjoying the company of others in such a
uniquely difficult situation. As their chatter got louder, the older students
set out on a ghost walk. Rebecca was spotted in the library shortly before the
wailing witch was heard, yet denied all involvement. Scores of glow in the dark
spiders were crawling around the top floor of the house, eliciting screams and
yelps from all who came across them. We returned downstairs after hearing that
Robbie Williams was making a guest appearance, although it turned out to be
Saicha and Dale wowing the crowds with their karaoke. Then Idania, Bexy and Yuni
led us all in La Bamba. The evening continued with singing, dancing and that Owl
Patrol atmosphere that is so special to us all.
Saturday 15th February 2003
The day began leisurely to say the least. The arts and crafts activities were
up and running thanks to Gill and her helpers. As last year, soon the drying
racks and tables were laden with paintings, T-shirts and decorated boxes. Ally
and Lesley were busy choreographing the Earthworm Jamboree dance, and the puppet
show scriptwriters were hard at work. At the same time, there was a busy
programme of lectures and discussion for the adults. The Owl Patrol is very
fortunate to have such an experienced and approachable number of experts among
its friends; we were delighted that Professor Lehmann (not resplendent in purple
velvet robes), Dr George and others could join us. The visit from the European
Space Agency team was a particular highlight. There was a stampede when Bethan
opened the tuck shop. If only sleep could be replaced by chocolate� Shortly
afterwards the animals arrived, including everyone�s favourites, the Shetland
ponies. Yuni was soon doing his best to gallop off into the sunset, and everyone
enjoyed an experience that is otherwise not an option for them. We again have
Janis to thank for organizing the pool party at Marlow Sports Centre. It was not
long before everyone was seeing who could create the biggest splash jumping in.
James reaffirmed his amazing ability to transfer half of the pool into someone�s
face while maintaining a face as innocent as a lamb. The Cahills, as usual,
seemed to make more noise than everyone else put together. It was a hungry group
of people who made their way to Caf� Fresco where a feast of pizza and pasta
awaited us. It was debatable whether Holly or Sarah ate the most ice cream.
Betty was too busy chatting to the male members of the party to eat much; she
was obviously disappointed by the lack of baseball players in tight trousers but
hid it well.
Some used the ride back to St Katherine�s as an excuse to rest before the
rest of the evening�s activities, while Alex astounded everyone with the range
of animals on Old MacDonald�s Farm. It was interesting after all these years
of wondering to finally hear what noise a porcupine makes!
On our return we donned hats, gloves and scarves and ran outside where the
children took on the adults at football. Despite the adults breaking most rules
and lifting their opponents out of reach of the ball, youth shone through and
shamed their elders. The baseball, volleyball and giant Connect 4 were all
popular until the cold proved too much and we ran inside to warm up, dance and
chat until well into Owl hours.
Sunday 16th February 2003
Pauline led a charming service in the chapel for those who had gone to bed
more wisely than others the night before. Breakfast was a quiet affair, but
slowly everybody made their way downstairs (even, surprisingly including the jet
lagged Cubans) which was just as well as there was a lot to be done. The final
dance preparations took place and then the presentation of the Earthworm
Jamboree happened to popular acclaim. Afterwards the dance was repeated, this
time with everybody standing up and joining in, one of those memorable moments
to treasure. Meanwhile, the set for the puppet show was frantically being
painted, led by Tania, and the character dolls were having the finishing touches
added. The theatre itself provided the best hiding place for a game of sardines,
not perhaps its intended use but very useful all the same! There were more
meetings for the adults which everyone agreed were excellent, and then we had
our last delicious dinner in the chapel.
Afterwards everyone crowded into the dining room for �The Wizard of Oz�.
Everyone�s hard work had paid off and the show was much enjoyed. It involved
so many different people, from the set designers and puppeteers to lighting and
sound technicians. And Charlotte has well and truly established her role as
programme distributor. There were a few more announcements, and then the formal
programme was finished, leaving everybody with time to wind down from a great
weekend. Soon it was only the women left standing, and led by Sonia they crowded
into the parlour and began to karaoke the night away. We adopted �Lean On Me�
as the Camp song, a gesture both fitting and moving. It was with sadness, but
with more wonderful memories and experiences, that we packed Ollie back into his
box to recuperate before our next Owl Patrol. Thank you to everyone who helped,
gave time and made the effort to come, making the Owl Patrol a firm and much
anticipated date in the XP calendar.
The next camp will take place at St Katharine�s from 13-17 February 2004.
Please make a note in your diary.
