Sequim Pack 4490 Cub Scouts recently participated in an international exchange with Scouts Canada Cubs on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Ten Cub Scouts and 14 leaders, parents and siblings traveled across the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Sunday, June 5, for a mini-Jamboree with Cub Scouts, leaders and families of the 10th Tsartlip Wolf Pack, based in Central Saanich.

Cub Scouts from both countries conducted an international flag ceremony and Scout meeting, visited local sites and finished the day with raft building, a barbecue and a patch exchange on the beaches near Saanich.

While international Boy Scouting Jamborees are a long-standing, worldwide tradition for older Scouts, both Sequim and Saanich Cub packs felt it important to give younger youth a taste of the international travel and adventures that await them in Boy Scouts.

Doug Jensen, den leader with Sequim 4490, and Norm Healey (“Hawkeye”) of 10th Tsartlip labored for months on official approvals and trip scheduling.

Chris Clem, of Chief Seattle Council, worked with Jensen to modify the Boy Scouts of America International Activity badge for Cub Scouts.

 “I am gratified by the efforts of Hawkeye and the 10th Tsartlip and Greater Victoria Area Scouts Canada and Chief Seattle Council BSA officials for creating a life experience for these Cubs,” Jensen said, “and an opportunity to learn that, while they are from different nations, they share common interests, values and beliefs as Scouts.”

Both Cub Scout packs and their respective councils are hopeful this first exchange will grow into a lasting international relationship.For more information on local Scouting, visit the Sequim 4490 website at: http://sequimscouts.org/4490.aspx.