Explorers for a day

MANILA, Philippines - Over 3,000 Dora The Explorer fans gathered at the West Block of Bonifacio High Street at The Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig last May 29 to answer a call. The mission? “Explorers Wanted!” The task? An afternoon of fun, discovery and adventure!

Nickelodeon has declared 2010 as the year to explore with Dora, and in celebration of the Latina heroine’s spirit of adventure, an event was mounted to invite kids to put their adventure shoes on and be explorers for a day through fun and play. How did they explore? By water — sailing away on a pirate adventure at the Treasure Lagoon, by land — jumping around in JungleVille, and by air — feeling the rush of flying while on an AirVenture!

First stop was the Treasure Lagoon where little explorers went aboard an abandoned pirate ship to have their pictures taken while the pirates were away. But not all were afraid and some Nicksters even braved a picture or two with the stilt-walking pirates. For those who were out for challenge, there were lots of activities including a mission to find the lost key in the sea to open the sunken treasure chest and a test of fishing skills at the Fish the Gem station where kids were tasked to fish out precious treasures from the water.

Next stop was the JungleVille where kids encountered exotic animals like the Philippine Serpent Eagle and the Mountain Bear Cat up close. For a fun picture in the jungle, kids posed as if they were master adventurers swinging on a vine just like Dora and Diego, and even had their favorite animals painted on their faces! There were also game stations such as Diego’s Rope Rescue and Jump Around the Jungle, plus the Animal Adventure booth where Nicksters could ride around as if they were on a jungle safari! Last stop was the AirVenture. There, everything was about air adventure and kids were greeted by pilots aboard airplanes “flying” around. From folding, flying and getting paperplanes through the Hoops up High in the Sky to playing Shoot the Parachute, explorers felt the rush of flying.

Onstage, master explorers Robi and Leslie led the exciting games that gave kids a chance to bring home Nickelodeon stuff. There were loads of prizes given to raffle winners. The audience was treated to a story-telling of Dora’s great adventures. Some kids came to the event dressed as explorers and 10 were chosen as winners and got some “cheer” for their gear (plus prizes).

Nicksters played, learned and did a lot of exploring. Before the program ended, they happily sang “We did it! We did it! Hurray!” for a job well done. Dora the Explorer, her best friend Boots and cousin Diego must have heard this because they suddenly came out to say “Hola!” to the little explorers just as a burst of orange and white confetti marked the end of the day of fun. At Explorers Wanted, Nickelodeon found what it wanted — lots and lots of kids with the spirit of adventure just like their favorite explorer, Dora.

Nickelodeon’s Explorers Wanted was presented by Toy Kingdom and co-sponsored by Ace Water Spa, Appebon Kid, Canon, Gain School Advance, Happee Kiddie Toothpaste, Jack ’n Jill Roller Coaster, Koala’s March, PLDT myDSL, Skechers Kids, and Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog. The event was also held in partnership with Bonifacio High Street and Jump Bounce ’N Play.

 For details, log on to www.nick-asia.com/explorerswanted.?