Supporting Our Community—One Mac & Cheese Box at a Time!

November 19, 2025 | Greater LA Scouting, Scouting America

Pack 114 Serves Up Success with Mac & Cheese Drive

Through the month of October, Pack 114 launched a special service campaign to support Union Station Homeless Services (USHS) of Pasadena by collecting boxes of macaroni and cheese. Our project, “Trick or Treat for Macaroni & Cheese,” rallied our Scouts and community to help contribute to USHS’s long-running Dinner in the Park, which for over 50 years has provided thousands of meals to community members in need—including children, families, and the elderly.

This year, USHS requested 500 boxes of Mac & Cheese to help fill out their holiday side dishes. Thanks to the dedication of our Scouts and the incredible generosity of our families, friends, classmates, and the parishioners of Holy Angels Church, Pack 114 surpassed that goal—collecting an amazing 724 boxes for this year’s Dinner in the Park!

What has your unit been up to lately? Are you gearing up for Scouting for Food or planning another service project? We’d love to hear about it and help spread the word!

Contact Cicily Gardea, Marketing and Communications Director, so we can share your story and support your community efforts. Let’s keep the spirit of Scouting and service shining bright this season!

Thank You for a Memorable Good Character Gala

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an inspiring and unforgettable Good Character Gala. Your support made the evening truly special as we celebrated leadership, community, and the core values that Scouting instills in young people.

We were proud to honor Jim McDonnell, Chief of Police, Los Angeles Police Department, with the Good Character Award for his remarkable career of service to the people of Los Angeles and beyond. His leadership, humility, and dedication to building trust exemplify the very qualities Scouting strives to nurture in every youth.

A heartfelt thank you to Wendy Burch, Emmy Award–winning KTLA journalist, for guiding the evening with warmth and energy. We are equally grateful to our outstanding youth speakers—Eagle Scout Katie Kim, Explorer Lieutenant John Leon, and LAPD Cadet Lieutenant Kevin Ovalle—whose voices framed the night beautifully. Their stories, along with those from leaders impacted by recent wildfires, reminded us why this work matters and what good character looks like in action.

Thank you to our sponsors, guests, volunteers, and leaders for making this event possible. Because of you, more young people across Greater Los Angeles will experience the life-changing impact of Scouting.

Photo Album

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

The Law Enforcement Family: Training Together, Growing Together

Post 411 of the Claremont Police Department Explorers recently hosted a successful joint meeting with fellow Explorer Posts from Post 402: Glendora Police Department and Post 881: Covina Police Department. This collaborative gathering highlighted the strong sense of unity within the law enforcement community, demonstrating how departments support one another in preparing the next generation of public safety professionals.

During the event, Explorers took part in a simulated first day of the police academy, complete with a uniform inspection and challenging physical fitness training. These shared experiences not only strengthened their skills but also deepened the bonds and collective commitment essential for future careers in law enforcement.

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!

A Heartfelt Thank You From the Council

Greater Los Angeles Scouting extends its deepest gratitude to all the Arrowmen and Arrow-women who generously volunteered their time to support our large induction weekend at Firestone Scout Reservation, held November 7–9. With 57 candidates participating, your dedication ensured a meaningful and successful experience for all involved.

We are especially proud to share that we inducted our largest class of women in Council history—28 youth females and 2 adult females. This milestone reflects the growing strength and diversity of the Order of the Arrow within our Scouting community.

Thank you to our Chapter Leaders and Advisers for conducting elections throughout the Council, helping more Scouts find their place in the OA. Thank you as well to the Promotions Team for traveling far and wide to introduce units to the OA, our camps, NYLT, and National Jamboree opportunities.

Most importantly, we thank all our OA members for consistently demonstrating the Scout Oath and Law. Your example inspires others and strengthens the brotherhood, fellowship, cheerful service, and leadership that define the Order of the Arrow.

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: Closed November 27–30
Christmas: Closed December 24–25
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!

Learn More

Give Today

Save the Date for Giving Tuesday!

Support Scouting and Make a Difference

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Thank you for supporting Friends of Scouting! Your generosity directly fuels camperships, leadership training, and life-changing Scouting programs that empower young people to build confidence, character, and citizenship. These programs create memories, friendships, and skills that last a lifetime.

This Giving Tuesday, help us keep the adventure going. Whether it’s $25, $50, $100, or any amount, your donation will ensure that more Scouts can experience the thrill of camp, gain new leadership skills, and embark on exciting adventures in 2025.