No day at Marchants Hill is complete without a little adrenaline and in this case it comes in the form of the giant swing!

The giant swing really is huge - you cannot simply jump on. Instead, you first put on a harness before climbing onto a mobile platform, along with one other of the group who rides the swing at the same time. Once on the platform, your harness is attached to the swing and at this point your weight is carried by the frame of the swing. The mobile platform is removed from beneath your feet and you are suspended approximately one metre above the ground.

The team must work together now. The swing must be hoisted into position by the group members who remain on the ground. Together they work to pull the swing up by drawing a long rope through its pulleys. Once the swing is on it's way up there is no going back for the occupants!

When the swing is fully hoisted, the team can watch their friends as they descend. The swing only moves when the riders are ready - it is the riders who must pull a release cord that will set the swing free and send them flying through the air. Of all the activities at Marchants Hill, the giant swing produces the loudest screams of both fear and joy at once, most noticeable the first time each child rides - by their second ride, they know what to expect!

Though it may have been wet for the latter half of the week, children on the 'mud challenge' have hardly noticed. Just what it sounds like, the mud challenge sets teams off to tackle an obstacle course that on a good day is a little mucky and on a wet day is wonderfully muddy. It's a whole lot of fun, though it can take most children a little while to realise that just for a change, it's okay to get really dirty!

For their final evening, everyone is treated to a disco. Tomorrow morning bags will be packed and there will be a final few activities before heading home. We know you will be pleased to be reunited with your child(ren) and while they may be tired (and perhaps a little bit dirty) they will have lots of stories to share with you.