Calling all Cub Scouts to spread holiday cheer to our military (while completing citizenship Adventures)

The holidays can be a lonely time for troops stationed at military bases far from home. Thanks to a new initiative available only for the next month, Cub Scouts can help — and complete a citizenship requirement at the same time.

For a limited time only, the 2025 Cub Scout Holiday Letters for the Military is an official part of the citizenship Cub Scout Adventure available across all ranks. Cub Scouts are asked to complete the requirement by November 7, 2025.

Here’s how it works.

1. Set up a meeting to make holiday cards with your Cub Scouts. Cub Scouts can make as many cards as they want. Have them include the pack number, city and state. Cub Scouts should sign the cards with their first name only.
2. Parents are encouraged to snap pictures of the process and email them to Scouting America’s public relations department so we can spread the word. Please include your city, state and pack number in this email.
3. Collect the completed cards and ship them by November 7 in one package to Scouting America’s national service center: 10,000 for the Troops; Scouting America; 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane; Irving, TX 75038. Please include the pack number and council on the return address.

This project meets the service project requirement for all of the citizenship-based Cub Scout Adventures in each rank.

What is 10,000 for the Troops?

Scouting America has partnered with two national organizations to ensure that the letters written by Cub Scouts get to military bases around the world.

The Holiday Cards 4 Our Military Challenge nonprofit is in its 21^st year of sending cards to members of the military. Boots for Troops is a separate organization dedicated to uplifting the morale of deployed service members.

Scouting America is also partnering with Dallas radio station New Country 96.3 FM, the home of radio personalities Hawkeye (an Eagle Scout) and Michelle, who form the “Hawkeye in the Morning” radio show. Last year, their efforts resulted in the collection and shipping of more than 215,000 cards, far surpassing their 10,000 for the Troops goal.

How to create the cards

Scouting America suggests the following list of supplies to create the holiday cards:

• 8 ½” x 11″ construction paper – various colors
• 8 ½” x 11″ white copy paper
• Crayons — enough to share
• Markers — enough to share
• Scissors — enough to share
• Decorative stickers
• Camera for digital photos
• Smart device to email photos to Scouting America

Cub Scouts should be encouraged to write whatever they want on the cards, as long as its respectful and thoughtful. Click here for the Holiday Cards 4 Our Military Challenge’s guidelines on composing the cards.

Click here to learn more about the 2025 Cub Scout Holiday Letters for the Military initiative.

Photo courtesy of Holiday Cards 4 Our Military Challenge