Photo Story

American kids in Jakarta, Indonesia can take part in Cub Scouts through the Far East Council.  The pack is a blend of American kids and local Indonesian kids.  The American kids might have parents who work at the U.S. Embassy, for a private company, or even as missionaries.  The Indonesian kids all have some connection to the U.S. – perhaps their family lived in the U.S. for a bit – and they all speak fluent English.  The pack meetings are conducted in English, and are very similar to scouting in the U.S.

The pack is made up of both boys and girls – ages 6-11, the parents volunteer as den leaders, and we start each pack meeting with the Scout Oath and the Scout Law – just like in the United States.  The kids go camping here too – and this is what my story is about.  Instead of camping in the woods, they camped on a remote island!  The kids were busy earning their advancement requirements and earned ‘belt loops’ for adventures such as fishing and whittling.  As part of learning about ‘community’, the kids had a beach clean-up and planted mangrove trees to help the environment.

Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Scouts arrive and start the official program by reciting the Scout Oath. March 25, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Cubmaster Tim and Den Leader Mark help Tiger scouts Mateo (6) and Chase (6) fly a drone over the Java Sea. March 25, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Scouts having fun on the paddleboards. March 25, 2023.
Den Leader Ishak leading the Webelos and Arrow of Light scouts of Pack 3455, Jakarta, Indonesia. April 15, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna island, Indonesia. March 25, 2023. Bear Scout Presley (9), working on her Whittling Chip for the Bear Claws adventure.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Catching crabs. March 25, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Bear Scouts Luna (8) and Kirana (8), along with Arrow of Light scout Ewald (11) washing up before lunch. March 25, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Scouts and parents enjoying the lovely sunset while dining al fresco. March 25, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Bear Scout Clara (8) roasting marshmallows for s’mores. March 25, 2023.
Cub Scout Jackson (9) of Far East Council, Pack 3455, Jakarta, Indonesia. Asleep in his tent after a very full day of fun! April 16, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. New growth on the island’s mangrove trees. March 26, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Scouts Alberto (8), Mateo (6), Presley (9), Jackson (9), and Ewald (11) discovering a hermit crab. March 26, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia. Scout moms Lisa, Linda, and Monica – the magic behind each adventure. March 26, 2023.
Cub Scout Pack 3455, Camping Trip to Desa Laguna Regenerative Village Resort island, Indonesia comes to an end. March 26, 2023.