The NSW Wildfires were invited to join in with the ACT Blue Sparks camping trip and what a fantastic weekend it was! With nearly 60 people along, including 6 families from NSW this was a big increase in the numbers from last year's camp. Clearly the word is getting around about the fun to be had together on this annual camp run by Toni Brown and David Poland.
Starting out with a training session on Saturday morning with Jock Davis (Big Foot) on the Snow Hills maps the under 12's from both States learnt about how to read complex mine diggings. Older orienteers also took advantage of the session; Australian Internationals Mace Neve and Lachlan Dow, Australian Junior International Ollie Poland and NZ International Lizzie Ingham as well as some of the NSW Junior Squad were out enjoying the training too.
Lunch was back at the private bush block owned by the Polands followed by a dip in their pristine but chilly waterhole. David Poland had set up a series of training exercises around the main site to practice map thumbing skills, how to understand map legends and IOF descriptions, and even how to draw a map where a series of unusual objects were masquerading as map symbols. A BBQ supper and a thrilling night 'O' event with roaming controls and flashlight spotters finished up the day with the children happy to crawl into their tents early, ready for a 7am start the next day.
Sunday was more technical training followed by an extensive hour long rogaine set by Noah Poland and the Miller brothers, Patrick and Tristan around the bush block. The adults were as keen to get out into the field for a run as the children, and careful planning was needed to make sure that some of the younger teams didn't show up the more experienced orienteers and rogainers. Matt Hill and Ian Jones showed the way picking up all the controls in the hour, with NSW team consisting of future champions, Ewan Shingler, Sophie Jones, Callum Davis and Georgia Jones getting all but three in a stunning display of wily planning and pure speed. Everyone's score was evened up at the finish with the final control, set right in the middle of the waterhole, which scored a massive 10,000 points for all those hot and dusty runners who fancied a dip. Toni magically produced icecreams for all - yes, adults as well!
Many thanks to the Poland family for their generous invitation, to Jock Davis for his training session and to all the ACT youngsters (special mention Zac Needham) who helped to lead the individual training activities over the weekend. The date has already been set for next year 23/24 November 2013 - put it in your diary and don't miss out next time!
