“So…” Mum asked as I closed the car door. “Was it really as BIG and as FUN as Mark promised?”
“Yes!” I said, still buzzing. “I’ve never seen a watermelon explode like that! And Blind Volleyball was all wet and crazy, and you should’ve seen how fast I went down the slide. Oh—and my third ice cream was starting to melt.”
Mum raised an eyebrow. “Third ice cream? Start from the beginning.”
And so I did.
Arriving at Big Fun Night
After Mum signed me in, I immeditately spotted Mark sprinting toward me. He’d been talking about Big Fun Night all week at school, telling me it was the night his Boys’ Brigade Company said he could bring a friend.
After Mum signed me in, I immediately spotted Mark sprinting toward me. He’d been talking about Big Fun Night all week at school, explaining that it was the night his Boys’ Brigade Company said he could bring a friend. Naturally, I’d asked Mum, and she said she’d check with Mark’s mum—but she was pretty sure it would be fine as long as I finished my homework.
“Hurry!” he shouted. “We’ll be late for Parade!”
“What’s Parade?” I asked. “Just follow me,” he said.
As soon as we stepped inside the hall, boys were lining up on one side while an older leader stood at the front. Suddenly, he called “COMPANY!” in a voice that nearly shook the walls. I jumped, but Mark whispered, “He’s not always that loud.”
A moment later, the leader explained that the Juniors (that’s us—even though I’m 10 and definitely not ‘junior’) would get the first hour on the Giant Water Slide. Meanwhile, the Seniors would stay back for their Challenge Competition.
The Giant Water Slide
Before long, we were racing toward the slide—and wow, it was incredible. A 50‑metre slip‑and‑slide stretched across the field, with water spraying from an arch made out of irrigation pipe. To make things even better, they covered us in bubble bath so we’d glide faster. It worked. Maybe too well. I slid off the end more than once.
At first, we went down one at a time, but soon we were racing in long chains, trying to grab each other’s feet. I managed it twice, although Mark kept catching me. By the time our hour was up, we were soaked, covered in bubbles, and laughing nonstop.
Watermelon Mayhem & Senior Challenges
After rinsing off, we headed back to the hall—only to find the Seniors hosing watermelon chunks off the floor. Apparently, they’d wrapped so many elastic bands around one that it imploded. Thankfully, they were wearing safety glasses.
As we watched, we learned they’d also been busy with a whole range of challenges, including
- Water pistol target shooting
- Stacking 50‑cent pieces on their edges
- Balancing dice on a paddle pop stick held in their mouth
- Bouncing ping‑pong balls into cups
- A wild “Berocca Battle” involving water balloons and dissolving tablets – Ask Mr Aaron Palmer from 4th Logan Company about this!
Clearly, they’d been having just as much fun as we had.
Our Turn for Games
Soon after, it was our turn again—this time for water games.
Blind Volleyball had us sitting on the ground with a tarp draped over the net so you couldn’t see the giant water balloon coming until it was too late. The squeals and splashes were constant.
Next, we played Balloon Battleship, using the same setup. Each team had a “bombardier” trying to sink the ships on the other side. Every hit brought cheers, groans, and lots of water.
Finally, we wrapped up with water relays—carrying buckets on our heads, pouring water backwards over our shoulders, and trying not to spill everything. It was messy, chaotic, and absolutely brilliant.
The Ice Cream Incident
“After that,” I told Mum, “we dried off and had ice cream. But you can’t hold an ice cream cone with wet hands. It just falls apart.”
“But three?” she asked again.
I shrugged. “Don’t worry. I already told Mark I’m coming back next week… and they’re not having ice cream then.”
by Aaron Palmer – Captain 4th Logan Company