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WashJam is a regional Scout Jamboree, held once every 4 years in Lakewood, WA.
Started in 2004 as a joint venture between Pacific Harbors Council and Chief Seattle Council, WashJam has been held every 4 years since; in 2004, 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2022.
WashJam is a regional version of a National Scout Jamboree, attracting Scouts of all ages from around the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia, Canada.
The first WashJam took place in 2004, at the JBLM Training center north of American lake, where it remained until 2016. The founders of that first WashJam were Alan Billingsley, Jeff Mann and David Ankemann, who were looking for a 'big' activity for the Scouts to do on the years between National Jamborees, which are held every 4 years.
A smaller event, the 'Scouting Festival' took place on the WashJam location in 2006 between WashJam 2004 and WashJam 2009. This was a Council-wide event, sponsored by the Pacific Harbors Council.
Chief Seattle Council hosted WashJam 2009, under the direction of Rick Cordray as Event Chair. Over 6,000 Scouts attended the largest WashJam event to date.
Pacific Harbors Council took over the hosting of the event in 2012, under the direction of longtime Scouter, John Disney, with John Ohlson as Boy Scout Program Director, and Candy Fauson as Cub World Director.
The theme of WashJam 2012 was 'Disneyland For Scouts', with the introduction of five themed areas in the Boy Scout area, not unlike the 'Lands' of Disneyland: The Land of Adventure, Advancement Challenge, Technology Challenge, Survival Challenge, Venturing World and Cub Scout Adventure World.
WashJam 2016 was chaired by John Ohlson, with Al Plank as Boy Scout Program Director and Candy Fauson as Cub World Director. Nearly 5,000 Scouts, Scouters and parents attended WashJam 2016, coming from as far away as Canada, Oregon, Montana and Texas. 240 Girl Scouts joined us as official participants for the first time in 2016.
The US Air Force Thunderbirds stopped by for a meet and greet, as well as members of the Golden Knights parachute team. The 2016 event wrapped up with a concert by the I corps band.
For WashJam 2022, John Ohlson returned as Event Chair, joined by Cub World Director Alan Billingsley, Infrastructure Director Jay Meeker and Admin Director Darel Roa. We are actively recruiting Scouters for the WashJam leadership team.
Contact us to inquire about becoming a staff volunteer.
