Our flight of 8 hours and 25 minutes went fairly fast with many boys so excited that they did not sleep much. And instead choose to watch multiple movies. We had a dinner choice of chicken or beef with drink. For breakfast, we had a cake muffin with a choice of drink – nothing special.
We arrived safely in Rome to a partly sunny day and a temperature of 10 degrees C and climbing. We disembarked from the plane and boarded a bus to go through customs and baggage claim. After 90 minutes we were ready to take our 2-hour train ride north to Oreto. Oreto is a small close to the home base for the Italian national camp near Soriano. During the train ride many of boys and leaders took the opportunity to catch up on their sleep.
The boys were transported to “Bornwsea camp” in two waves with the second wave waiting at the train station till the vehicles returned (especially given the volume of luggage). The boys waiting at the train station enjoyed a refreshing drink in between playing cards, tag, their own version of slap hands game and making plans as to how perhaps they could win a game of soccer against their Italian bothers.
The Italian skies opened up with heavy rain upon the second wave of boys just like we experienced in 2007!
Many hands make light work as we removed the luggage into the hall while we awaited the arrival of the Italian explorer at 7 pm. At 7 pm sharp six patrols of explorers arrive on time (in the rain) and our boys marveled at their stamina, organizational discipline, true patrol unity and working as a team as they walked up the hill an into the hall without any real concern for the rain that fell.
By 7:30 pm, our Explorers (watched by their younger Timber wolf brothers) joined for the first time the larger FSE/FNE explorer family and suddenly saw that what we have been teaching them in Canada really mattered as the patrols came together to shout out their gathering call, to respond to the gathering whistle, to pray together and to proudly represent their patrol troop an country. It was a real special feeling knowing that we are truly part of a larger family; a family that has gone of its way to make everyone of our Explorers feels welcome and a member of our FSE family.
In spite of the rain, the Explorers operating in three mixed troop of two Canadian patrol and on Canadian patrol was up and running..and we do mean running to set up their large tents. As leaders (and parents) it was a real joy to see every Explorer run and work hard whiling paying little heed to the pestering rain in order to “get the job done”.
The Timber wolves enjoyed a 45-minute nap while only one or two of them actually closed their eyes as they were having such a great time. After their nap, Akela Paul took all of the Timber Wolves for a little adventure to visit a man-made cave on the camp ground. In the past this cave was chiseled out of volcanic rock to house farm animals. Now this cave is used as a chapel for prayer and reflection.
At 9 pm, we gather altogether for a skit (a representation) of St Francis of Assisi and one of his brothers to share with the boys of giving, helping other and even to make a personal sacrifice from time to time. From there we shared a simple “Franciscan” home-made meal complete with Italian olives that “most” of our Timber wolves and Explorers ate as they were quite hungry.
Then by 9:45 pm we started to drag our tired selves off to bed for a well deserved night of sleep..with the Explorers heading off to their tents. By 10:05 pm, not a sound was heard except for a few boys who gradually increased the sound of their snoring.
Facebook stored photos:
Link to Day2 photos
Map of Route:
map of route from the airport to the camp
Thank you very much for the update.
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