Thousands of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from across the state swarmed Fort Lewis this weekend for a four-day campout, the largest Scout event ever held in Washington.

The second WashJam, organized by Pacific Harbors Council and Chief Seattle Council, commemorates the upcoming 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America, established in 1910.

More than 6,000 Scouts, leaders and family members were in attendance, according to Pat Craven, director of finance and marketing. The figure includes people registered for the entire weekend and day campers.

“The turnout exceeded our expectations,” event chairman Rick Cordray said Saturday. “They just keep coming in.” The first Washington Jamboree in 2004 attracted about 3,500 attendees.

The jamboree featured about 50 different activity stations, separated by age groups. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Scouts 14 years of age and older participated in log tosses, shotput, shooting, rope bridges, spear-throwing and hatchet-throwing.

Younger scouts ran through an inflatable obstacle course, launched PVC pipe rockets, paddled canoes with their hands in a man-made lake bordered with hay bales and jousted with swords made from foam cylinders and cardboard tubes wrapped in duct tape.

Josiah Cline, 11, of Redmond’s Troop 520, donned an orange helmet and scaled a 25-foot climbing wall with aplomb. “I’ve done lots of walls; this is one of the easier ones,” he said. “Not a lot of people can complete the climb, though.”

Friday night festivities included a talent show with competing bands and Saturday night had fireworks and marching units. Official activities conclude this afternoon with various religious services.

The event, which involved over a year of planning with 200 to 250 volunteers, ran up a hefty $100,000 bill. “We had just enough participants to break even,” Craven said. A 4-day camping pass cost $35 for registered parties and $45 for people who signed up on-site. Day campers paid $20.

David Kellogg, assistant Scoutmaster of Port Orchard’s Troop 1532 called the event “a good experience, especially for the price,” adding that the Jamboree was a unique opportunity to see other Scouts from all around the area. His only complaint? “It’s a little crowded.”

David Rennaker, 17, of Tenino’s Troop 14, said that the heavy turnout led to long lines. “Lots of waiting,” he said. “I guess it’s a sign of how popular the event is.” However, he still got to enjoy his favorite activity, rifle shooting.

Patrick Haley, 12, and Caleb Kellogg, 12, of Troop 1532 watched raptly as older Scouts brandished 3-foot sticks in a game of Ti’-kel, the traditional American Indian equivalent of lacrosse. Both summed up the experience in one word: “Amazing.”

Joyce Chen: 253-597-8426

joyce.chen@thenewstribune.com