IT’S game on at AJ2007 and there is action aplenty.

The fatigue that followed long trips to the Elmore Events Centre for the 21st Australian Scout Jamboree was short-lived, as thousands of Scouts and their leaders realised what was was unfolding.

The size of the site was overwhelming when the Victorian and international contingents moved in on Monday, but it was mind-blowing by Tuesday when the remaining Australian states and territories set up camp.

As the final pegs were hammered into the ground, and in some cases drilled into the unforgiving earth, final preparations were being made on stage for the stunning opening ceremony.

It was a fitting spectacular for such an event, featuring hit Australian band Rogue Traders, cover band Phase4, well-known  actor and comedian Jeremy Kewley, flying guitarists, fireworks and toe-tapping acts from more than 130 Scouts and leaders.

But it was the parade of flags reprensenting each contingent attending the event that drew the greatest applause.

It was a magic moment for Claire Macallister, of the 1st/14th Brighton Scouts and Troop 351, who carried the Victorian sign during the opening ceremony.

“You feel like you’ve got a pit in your stomach, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.

It’s a feeling many Scouts shared.

Yashara Martin, of the 1st Bendigo Scout Group and Troop 233, admits to being overwhelmed by AJ2007.

“I was expecting it to be smaller, I didn’t realise how big it was,” she said.

Wild weather caused concern early in the week, with the Bushwhacked site on the Campaspe River being recreated in the last minutes before the opening day.

A marquee, 17 portable carports and blow-up crocodiles were blown from the site, forcing volunteers to join the Bushwhacked team to reconstruct the activity.

Some damage was also caused on-site to fencing and tents. But as always, the Scouts and leaders were prepared and quickly set about making repairs.

According to regional commissioner of the Greater Western Sydney region with the national Scouting body, Peter Nickl, despite the windy, dry conditions, most participants believed Elmore was a great site for the event.

“We knew that before we got here,” he said.

For the 1st Elmore Scout Group, that news comes as no surprise.

They’re proud of their town, and to be participating in one of the biggest events in the town’s history.

“Nothing like this has ever happened in Elmore,” Cameron Edwards said.

“We’ve already made a lot of friends.”

For Leigh O’Sullivan,  one of the lucky Scouts to attend two jamborees, the second time around is “still fun, and a good challenge” – and it’s all on his doorstep.