An expedition, in honour of
Mateo
Saturday, 17 April 2027
The Glass Garden, Pasig City, Metro Manila
Expedition departs in
--
days
--
hours
--
minutes
--
seconds
“The world is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.”
Pinned above Mateo's bed
The briefing
Watch this before you come
Twenty seconds. Mateo insisted on it, storyboarded it himself, and has notes for anyone who skips it.
The plan
Three hours, in order
Cake is at 4:30 rather than at the end, because seven-year-olds are unreliable after five.
3:00
Camp opens
Check in at the ranger desk
3:20
The hunt begins
Teams of four, badges issued
4:15
Snack stop
4:30
Cake and candles
5:00
Games and face paint
6:00
Pick-up
Loot bags at the gate
Where
The Glass Garden
The Glass Garden has its own car park off Ortigas Avenue Extension. Say you are with the Reyes party at the gate.
The Glass Garden, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Pasig City
Parking
Free on-site, roughly 40 slots. Grab drop-offs use the side gate.
Staying or dropping off
Either is fine. There is a shaded parents' area with proper coffee.
Rain plan
The whole thing moves indoors to the pavilion. Nothing gets cancelled.
What to wear
Come dressed to get muddy
Khaki, olive and rust if you feel like joining in. Closed shoes either way, because there is a rope bridge and it is exactly as popular as you would expect.
- Khakic2a878
- Olive6f7f47
- Rusta85a32
- Canvase6dcc4
There are spare bandanas and paper hats at the ranger desk for anyone who turns up in school uniform.
For the parents
The bits the invitation usually leaves out
Allergies
The cake is nut-free and there is a dairy-free tray beside it. Tell us in the RSVP and we will label a plate with your child's name on it.
Do I stay?
Only if you want to. There will be six adults on the floor plus two staff from the venue, and we will have your number.
Siblings
Bring them. Count them in the RSVP so there are enough badges and loot bags to go round.
Presents
Please, nothing large. Mateo is saving for a telescope and there is a jar for it, or a book is always right.
RSVP
Are you coming?
By 5 April so we can print the right number of badges. Replies go to Mateo's parents.
Well wishes
Say something to Mateo
He can read now and he will read every one of these out loud, several times, to anyone in the room.
Ate Sam
2 days ago
Seven! You were a potato four years ago. Happy birthday, explorer.
Tito Jun
4 days ago
I am bringing the good binoculars. Do not tell your mother what they cost.
Ms. Beltran
6 days ago
From your Grade 1 class. We recorded this at recess and it took nine takes.
Lolo Ben
1 week ago
Happy birthday, apo. The compass was mine at your age. Do not lose it.
Photographs
The camp album
Add whatever you take. Everything lands in one place and we will send the set round afterwards.
One last thing
If your child is nervous about the rope bridge, tell us at the desk and we will pair them with a ranger. Nobody is made to cross anything.