Happy Thanksgiving to You and Your Family

November 26, 2025 | Greater LA Scouting, Scouting America

Happy Thanksgiving from

Greater Los Angeles Scouting!

As we gather with family and friends to give thanks, we want to express our deep appreciation for our Scouting families, volunteers, donors, and community partners. Your dedication and support make it possible for us to empower young people across Greater Los Angeles with opportunities to grow, lead, and thrive. We are truly grateful for each of you.

In observance of the holiday, the Cushman Watt Scout Center, Los Angeles Scout Shop, Arcadia Scout Shop, and Cabrillo Scout Shop will be closed for Thanksgiving. All locations will resume their normal operating hours during the first week of December.

From our Scouting family to yours, we wish you a warm, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving!

Join Us This Giving Tuesday and help Change Lives

Giving Tuesday is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when our community comes together with generosity and purpose. Your support on this global day of giving helps Greater Los Angeles Scouting continue to transform young lives—building confidence, leadership, resilience, and a sense of belonging for thousands of youth across our region.

Every gift, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference. From ensuring access to life-changing programs to supporting camps and leadership opportunities, your contribution helps us provide experiences that shape the leaders of tomorrow.

We hope you will join us on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, with a gift at any level. Together, we can continue empowering youth to discover their potential and reach new heights through Scouting.

Give Today

Badge Bonanza! Monterey Park Police Help Scouts Level Up

Monterey Park Police Department has done it again! Their outstanding trio merit badge course was a huge success, with 80 Scouts completing the Traffic Safety, Fingerprinting, and Crime Prevention merit badges. The Scouts received hands-on instruction from exceptional officers who generously shared their knowledge and expertise. Way to go, Scouts—and a big thank-you to the dedicated officers for helping teach and inspire our youth!

Be Prepared: Join Us for a Free Wealth Transfer & Estate Planning Seminar

Hello Scouting Families and Friends,

Greater Los Angeles Scouting invites you to a special Generational Wealth Transfer & Estate Planning Seminar on Thursday, December 4, at 6:30 pm at the Cushman Watt Scout Center (2333 Scout Way, Los Angeles, CA 90026).

This complimentary session is designed to help Scouting families, parents, grandparents, caregivers, and supporters understand how to prepare for the unexpected, ensure a smooth transfer of assets and responsibilities, and be legally ready for an easier transition.

In the spirit of our Scouting motto, Be Prepared, this seminar offers practical guidance on planning for the future with clarity and confidence.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, December 4

• Time: 6:30 pm

• Location: Cushman Watt Scout Center, 2333 Scout Way, Los Angeles, CA 90026

• Hosted by: Philip C. Putnam, Esq., Monteleone & McCrory, LLP and Bruce Davis

• Cost: Free

• Includes: Light dinner and secure on-site parking

RSVP

Please let us know by December 1 if you plan to attend.

RSVP Email: annette.haslam@scouting.org

Phone: 213-718-7167

Pumpkin Smash

Pumpkin Smash Rescheduled: Still Time to Join the Fun!

Due to the storm that blew through this past weekend, Pumpkin Smash has been rescheduled to December 5–7 for the safety of all participants. The good news? There’s still time to register and join the excitement!

Join us at Firestone Scout Reservation for a weekend of pumpkin destruction and friendly competition. Scouts will put their skills to the test with tomahawks, bats, bowling balls, and more as they compete to create the ultimate pumpkin smash.

Don’t miss one of the most anticipated events of the season—we can’t wait to see you there!

Nomination Form

Call for Nominations: Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Education Award

Greater Los Angeles Scouting is seeking nominations for the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Education Award, recognizing teachers, administrators, and school staff who model Scouting values through their daily work with students.

Any school employee who supports positive character development—whether a teacher, aide, custodian, cafeteria worker, or other staff member—is eligible. This award honors their impact in their professional role, not volunteer service.

Before submitting, please review the Cover Letter and Nomination Instructions. Nominations must include two forms and two letters of recommendation describing how the nominee demonstrates Scouting values.

Nominate an outstanding educator today!

Plan Ahead: Holiday Hours for Scout Shops and Cushman Watt Scout Center

As we gear up for the holiday season, our Scout Shops and Office will be adjusting hours to complete annual inventory and observe holiday closures. Please plan your visits accordingly and shop early for your Scouting needs, especially those Rose Parade uniforms, patches, and sewing supplies!

Cabrillo Scout Shop

Thanksgiving: Closed November 27–28
Christmas & New Year’s: Closed December 24–January 1

Arcadia Scout Shop

Inventory: Closing early at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 6
Thanksgiving: Closed November 27–December 3
Christmas: Closed December 25–26
New Year’s: Closing early at 5:00 PM on December 31 and closed January 1

Cushman Watt Scout Center & Los Angeles Scout Shop

Thanksgiving: Closing early at 1:00 pm on November 26, & Closed November 27–30
Christmas: Closed December 11, & December 24–26
New Year’s: Closed December 31–January 2

Rose Parade Reminder:

Don’t forget to visit early for all your parade uniform needs, including patches, sewing supplies, and accessories!

Scout Shop Information

Trail to First Class & IOLS Training at Camp Trask

December 12-14, 2025

Join us for a skill-building weekend at Camp Trask! Trail to First Class is designed for Scouts working on Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank requirements. While Scouts won’t complete all requirements in one weekend, they’ll make significant progress through hands-on sessions in cooking, tools, navigation, swimming, leadership, nature, knots, lashings, and more.

Cost: $160 per Scout / $50 per adult

Includes all meals and program. Adults are welcome to stay and may also sign up for IOLS training, which requires one overnight to earn certification.

This is an overnight camping event; a packing list will be emailed.

Each Scout must bring their own tent.

Earn Scouting’s Highest Conservation Honor!

Scouting America’s Distinguished Conservation Service (DCS) Awards, the rarest in Scouting, recognize Scouts, Sea Scouts, and Venturers who complete two major conservation projects and related merit badge work. The program comprises three levels: the Distinguished Conservationist Award, the Distinguished Conservationist Award Certificate, and the DCS Award. Applicants must use the official DCS Award Project Workbook to document their work.

If you would like full details, you can view the Greater Los Angeles Scouting DCS Award Handbook. Interested in earning this prestigious award? Contact Ross Arnold at Rossarnold1213@gmail.com or 323-605-2740. Youth under 18 must include a parent or guardian in all communication.

Workbook

Informational Handbook

Winter Merit Badge Days at Camp Trask

December 27–30, 2025

Expand your skills and earn new badges this winter at Camp Trask! Scouts can take up to two classes per day and earn as many as eight merit badges over the course of the program.

Cost: $65–$75 per class

(Each day has two class periods; some badges require both periods.)

Class Highlights by Day:

Saturday: Camping, Personal Management, American Business, Family Life, Pets, Forestry, Reptiles & Amphibians, Citizenship in the World

Sunday: Home Repairs, Skating, Citizenship in the Community, Disabilities Awareness, Pets, Forestry, Reptiles & Amphibians, Salesmanship

Monday: Artificial Intelligence, Electricity, Composite Materials, Environmental Science, Cooking (2 periods), Cyber Security, Athletics

Tuesday: Artificial Intelligence, Citizenship in Society (2 periods), Cyber Security, Rifle Shooting (2 periods)

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends, and advance your Scouting journey over winter break. Register now to secure your spot!

Secure your spot today!

Winter Camp is Coming!

The time has come, Winter Camp is here! With the new year just around the corner, we’re offering 8 exciting opportunities for your Scouts to enjoy the great outdoors, have fun, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Weekend sessions are available for both Cub Scout and Scouts BSA units and run from January 16 through March 8. Scouts can look forward to building snowmen, making snow angels, and enjoying all the fun winter activities our camp has to offer.

Reserve your spot now and join us for a winter adventure you won’t want to miss!