Very popular was a really dirty event, full of slimy mud and water. We took our teams over the muddy assault course and then rinsed them off in the lake.

For safety reasons, to avoid cuts and bruises, everybody had to be fully clothed for this game. We were told to dress in tee-shirt, long sleeve top and long bottoms, like hoodie and jogging pants. The tee-shirt was to be tucked in and the waist band properly tied. Robust socks and shoes were needed too. Waterproofs were not allowed as they could get damaged on the course.

First we crossed a rope bridge near Joey and his water pipe. Some showed up in jeans and shirt only. They were promptly hosed down from top to bottom and then issued with mud brown hoodies.

Anyway, everybody starting with this obstacle course was briefly sprayed with the hose pipe, just to get them damp. That way they were not so shy near the wet obstacles.

Into the mud

We team leaders had to go over each obstacle first, followed by our teams. That caused great amusement among them. They loved the sight of their team leaders getting into a wet mess. Being good sports we obliged.

The first obstacle was the metal beam across a mud pit. That gave everyone the chance to get wet and muddy right from the start, which many did.

My first task was to show them how to get across. What I didn't know was that near the end they've put soap on the bar to make it very slippery. Sure enough I lost hold and fell right into the deep part of the mud pit. My team cheered with delight as I climbed out, slimy mud dripping off my hoodie and jogging pants.

The first student climbed across, balancing on top of the beam. Half way through he slipped and disappeared in the mud. When he resurfaced we could just about see a big smile on his mud covered face.

I asked him if he had done anything like this before. "No, this is the first time," he replied, "but is is fantastic fun. I often wear clothes in the water, but this mud is all different."

All but one team member fell in. We then grabbed the dry guy took him right into the middle of the pit, making sure he was in neck deep. Then we filled up his hood with mud and put it up. He was laughing his head off, mud streaming down his face.

Muddy Ditch

Some students from other teams were still dry after the first obstacle. That was going to change now.

One of the more exciting obstacles was the muddy ditch. We had to walk through a water-filled ditch and help each other climb through truck tires that were suspended above. The recommended method was to climb through head first, roll forward and land back in the ditch.

In our soaking wet heavy clothes that was quite a challenge. Wading through waist deep water with a muddy bottom was hard. We often fell in, so our clothes were soaked to the max. Then we had to lift ourselves out and get through the ring. It all worked out well with a bit of help from each other.

The ditch led into a muddy pond where we could relax a moment. My team felt it was the right time to really splash about and wrestle each other into the mud.

Mud Pit with Net

Next we went into the mud pit with the net on top. Joey was spraying it with a water hose to make sure it was slippery enough to get through.

As it was our turn now I had to go in first. Being a staff member I good hosed down real good. "You're too muddy for my nice obstacle!" shouted Joey as he hosed me down.

Dripping wet I got down on my knees and crawled into the mud pit underneath the net. "Ey, you're getting dirty again," shouted Joey and blasted me with more water. I felt liquid mud seeping into my clothes.

Eventually I got through and sat down on the grass, covered in thick mud. I watched my team get through one by one. They huddled around me waiting for all to pass this obstacle.

Into the Lake

Joey gave everybody a good hose down. "Don't you dare get my lake dirty!" he shouted like a drill sergeant. The lake was the final part were we all went for a swim to get most of the mud out of our clothes. Finally we've rinsed all the dirt off one more time in the pool showers.