What is WashJam?  Imagine the biggest, busiest Cub Scout day camp you can - then think of something bigger!  That's the plan for Cub Kingdom at WashJam 2009 where the number one rule is to “have fun”!  There will be plenty of interesting challenges and activities for Cubs, all centered on the principles of the Cub Scout Law (follow Akela, help the Pack go, help the scout grow, show good will).  There will be Boy Scouts everywhere, too, doing “older boy” activities the Cubs can look forward too!  This three-day event only happens every few years and hundreds of hours of planning have gone into it…there won’t be a another traditional scout jamboree experience like this again in our area for awhile!

When: Saturday, August 22.  We'll meet at the Top Pot on Queen Anne (325 W Galer St, Seattle, WA. Ph:(206) 631-2120) between 7:15-7:30am so we can depart for WashJam in caravan at 7:30 a.m.  We are aiming to arrive at WashJam by about 8:30 a.m. so we can get registered and attend the 8:50 flag ceremony.  The main activities open at 9:00 a.m.  Cub Kingdom closes at 5:00 p.m. but scouts can stay for dinner on the midway and the evening show that concludes at 10:30 p.m. with fireworks.  Carpools can, of course, opt to leave at any time throughout the day. Some of our Webelos scouts are camping overnight at WashJam with the Queen Anne Boy Scouts…we’ll plan to hook up with them while we’re there, too!

Where:  WashJam is at Ft. Lewis outside of Tacoma (see directions included below, and the attached map or WashJam web site).

Transportation: You can carpool with someone or drive yourself.  The carpool arrangements will be up to each family, but the intent is to meet at Top Pot and make carpool arrangements based on those who meet there to caravan down to WashJam together.

Cost: For day visitors who wish to participate in the activities, the fee is $20 per Cub or sibling 7 years old and up.  Parents or leaders are free.  WashJam activities won't be suitable for children under 7 so while there is no charge for them, parents should keep them closely supervised.

What to bring: Scout Uniform (Class A, Dress Blue/Khaki), $20.00 for each participant (see Cost notes above), sunscreen, change of clothes in case we can get wet, drinking water, snack food (there will be food vendors available but it’s always best to “be prepared” in case the lines are long), and comfortable walking shoes.

Pack Point Person for the WashJam day trip is Dan Holmquist, Assistant Cub Master – cell: 206-409-4393, dh138@msn.com.  For those scouts planning to camp overnight at WashJam, your point person is Bob Dumas – cell: 206-999-9526, dumas@u.washington.edu

Activities in Cub World could include:
Lay siege to the castle by way of the Thunder Dome?  (A challenge for a den or a group of Cubs)
Scale the castle wall?  (Climbing wall)
Cross the moat?  (Boats or rope bridge)
Hit the target?  (Archery and wrist rockets)
Tackle the bouncing obstacle course?
Build a castle out of nothing but sand?
Demonstrate your Cub skills with knots and more?
Puzzle out the magic tricks and listen to the stories in mysterious Digon Alley?

Look forward to seeing you there!

Here are links to info in case you haven’t had a chance to look into this yet – it looks pretty fun!

-          General Site:  http://www.washjam.org/

Leader/Parent Guide: http://www.washjam.org/documents/LeadersGuideUpd7-27.pdf

-          Cub Scout Program Guide: http://www.washjam.org/Program_Cubs.aspx

-          Cub Scout Program Poster: http://www.washjam.org/documents/WJ09%20Cub%20Poster.pdf

For reference the directions to WashJam are:
Take I-5 south toward Tacoma
Take Exit 119, to Dupont
Turn right at the light onto Dupont-Steilacoom Rd
Follow the Dupont-Steilacoom Rd for about 5 miles
Turn right onto East Drive
0.4 miles later, turn left into WashJam site.  Camp staff will assist you with parking and show you where to register.