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Countdown: the British hosts for the 35th International Summer Camp, the Order of Malta Volunteers (OMV), are at final preparations stage

500 guests and volunteers from 23 countries descend on the camp on 11 August

London, 3 August 2018

Checking supplies as they arrive: Louisa Grew is on the caseAround 200 guests and 300 carers who represent 23 nationalities will arrive in a week’s time. The full complement is: 407 volunteers and guests, plus 100 staff, 13 priests, 10 medics, 28 team leaders, 101 wheel chairs.

The OMV and international volunteers are in teams of responsibility: for food, transport, medical needs, activities, spiritual – and a ‘dream team’ (who are expected to fill a range of roles when called upon!).

The project has been over three years in the planning. Tasks have included finding a suitable venue, agreeing the arrangements, checking that everywhere has wheelchair access; the venue (Treloar College, Hampshire) is home to disabled students and so the facilities are already impressive – all refectory tables are adjustable, the walls have rubber bumpers, all doors open automatically and there are ramps everywhere. The OMV team have added a marquee and caterers.

Louisa Grew, who is in charge of activities, includes in her responsibilities checking that all activities are wheel chair accessible – including the boats for the sailing day and the pontoon at the water front, a hot air balloon and indoor sky diving. As well, she is currently overseeing the arrival of all supplies.