Morgan Mumm and Kelly Christman are Explorers from Mendota. Morgan has been a member for two years, and Kelly is new to the organization this year.

Pictures by Marla Blair

Lincoln Explorer Kelsey Brady was the group's 2010 Explorer of the Year.

The Rev. Mark Morgan, of Latham Baptist Church, is a member of the Latham Fire Department and its chaplain. He attended the Explorer Challenge to support the youth from Latham's Explorer team. 

An Explorer climbs the extension ladder to the roof of the training building, as Lincoln Rural firefighter and Explorer adviser Joe Merritt watches the ascent.

Lincoln EMTs Melissa Long and Kati Sheley hosted the water station and encouraged the heavily clothed trainees to rehydrate. Long is also an Explorer adviser; Kati's husband, Ryan, is a Lincoln Rural firefighter. 

Lincoln Rural Firefighter and Explorer lead adviser Chris Buse was the spotter for the Explorers as they reached the roof and moved through the tasks in the timed exercise.

Lincoln Rural firefighters and Explorer advisers Adam Wessbecher (lead), William Hutchison and Chris Buse (lead) kept the boys and girls hustling through the four-part Explorers Challenge on Saturday.

If worst came to worst, the Explorers would know how to bucket the water to the fire. But they realized it's not as easy as it looks, and a lot of water never reached the barrels.

A favorite sport among firefighters -- the water ball fight. Each team of Explorers was charged with forcing the water ball to their opponents' end of the line. The teams had to use collective strength and stamina to keep the object moving in the right direction and to counter the opponents' efforts.

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