According to our GPS we were in the middle of nowhere,  with Easter eggs in one hand and oversize knitting needles in the other.  Our feet were dancing to the music pumping from someone's car and we were singing songs that made no sense at all.  This could only mean one thing ... the NSW Olave Program Team had arrived at Dragon Skin!

Dragon Skin is the biggest annual event for  Venturers in New South Wales, running over the Easter long weekend.  Teams are dropped into the forest and then have to navigate their way through the terrain to their campsites, participating in various activities along the way.  Senior Guides are invited to attend every year.

Over 60 teams came through our site and gave their best and worst to the challenge, which was to ‘knit’ a blanket to keep Ayers Rock from getting cold  without whispering a word.  Ha – some teams actually completed the challenge in silence, others yelled, and one team even sang their way through.  Some knitted, wove and tied knots  while others went for a metaphorical interpretation of the challenging - dancing around to warm the spirits of the Rock.

For those willing to make the trek to our activity site, the menu offered Guide biscuits, hot chocolate, bananas, roasted marshmallows and even fairy bread.   Many Rover Crews placed phone orders, which we enthusiastically filled.

Meanwhile  Sarah was building a shelter (not just any shelter, may I add).  This was a super-size shelter, built completely from sticks and logs found at the site.  Meels topped it off with a reclining chair and foot rest just for Oscar.

After each fun filled and busy day , we were greeted at our Venturer Overnight Campsite by nights of fun and entertainment. Whether it was crowding by the fire trying to dry off, playing noughts and crosses with our salt and pepper shakers, listening to the HQ radio communications, dancing in the gigantic space-like disco dome or screaming our way down the flying fox, our   nights were just as jam packed as the days.  One question remains ... who allowed those Rovers to start up the music at 5am?

Huge congratulations go out to all the Senior Guides who participated this year – you guys rock, and looked great in your colourful uniforms.

Everyone put in an enormous effort over the weekend and it was a fascinating experience to be part of.  We are already starting to plan our activity for 2008 – so make sure you mark next Easter in your diary for another adventure in the great outdoors with the wild and adventurous OP team!

Michelle Dunn

Activity Leader

The Bayside Bunnies from East Met Region,
having a ball at Dragon Skin

Meels putting the finishing touches on her chair