The spirit of generosity shines brightest during the holiday season, but one day stands out: Giving Tuesday. It’s a powerful reminder that while we often focus on gifts for those close to us, true fulfillment comes from contributing to something larger.
On this special day, people unite to support causes that build stronger, healthier communities. It’s an opportunity to transform good intentions into tangible impact. And this year, there’s a unique chance to invest your holiday giving in the very fabric of civic responsibility and future leadership.
What Is Giving Tuesday?
This global movement, born in 2012, is a counterpoint to the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It encourages radical generosity, inspiring hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate giving. Our collective efforts, no matter how small, can create monumental change and foster a culture of kindness and impact.
When Is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday always falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. In 2025, it falls on Dec. 2.
Why Donate to Your Local Scouting America Council?
One of the most profound ways to make a difference this Giving Tuesday is by supporting organizations whose youth development programs cultivate future leaders and community-minded citizens. This is precisely what Scouting America councils do. Scouting builds the foundational skills and values that prevent future societal challenges and empower individuals to become lifelong contributors.
Here’s why supporting Scouting America councils is a worthwhile investment.
Fostering Civic-Mindedness and Service
At its core, Scouting itself is all about giving back. From the outset, kids are taught the importance of service to their community, as civic-mindedness is a fundamental pillar of the program. Scouts learn by doing, actively engaging in projects that directly benefit their local spaces and neighbors. Supporting Scouting America councils on Giving Tuesday means reinforcing a cycle of generosity and good deeds, empowering young people to make the world a better place.
Developing Essential Life Skills
The impact of Scouting extends far beyond individual good turns. It equips young people with invaluable life skills: leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. Through outdoor adventures, merit badge challenges, and leadership roles, participants gain confidence and competence. They learn to navigate challenges, adapt to new situations, and work collaboratively to achieve common goals. These are the very qualities essential for success in school, careers, and active citizenship.
Building Academic Skills and Exploring Careers
Scouting programs also enhance young people’s academic and future professional lives. Through engaging summer science camps and other hands-on activities, Scouts dive deep into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. These experiences not only strengthen academic performance but also offer invaluable early exposure to diverse career paths. Scouts explore various professions and interact with professionals, helping them visualize and plan for their future careers.
Donations help provide uniforms, materials, and access to camps and activities that might otherwise be out of reach. Your gift ensures that these transformative experiences are available to all youth, regardless of their background.
Fostering Inclusion
Scouting America is a fully diverse organization, dedicated to providing inclusive recreation programs as well as other learning opportunities and empowering all young people to reach their full potential. This is reflected in their welcoming of girls into all programs, celebrating women in leadership roles, and providing dedicated support for Scouts with special needs, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative benefits of Scouting.
Protecting Our Environment
Scouting instills a profound respect for the natural world, fostering a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Through hands-on conservation projects, such as trail maintenance, tree planting, and waterway cleanups, Scouts learn practical ways to protect and preserve ecosystems. They are taught crucial outdoor ethics, including the Leave No Trace principles that encourage responsible interactions with nature.
This dedication to the environment is woven into the fabric of the program, from earning merit badges focused on conservation and environmental science to actively participating in Earth Day, Every Day initiatives. Scouting prepares young people to be lifelong advocates for our planet.
Connecting Generations Through Mentorship
Scouting also plays a vital role in connecting generations. Volunteers — many of whom are former Scouts themselves — dedicate countless hours to mentoring young people. They create a robust network of support and guidance, instilling a sense of tradition and continuity and ensuring that the opportunities they once enjoyed are available to new generations.
Your contribution helps sustain this invaluable volunteer infrastructure, allowing these mentors to continue shaping young lives.
This Giving Tuesday, consider the profound and lasting impact of a donation to a local Scouting America council. Your generosity directly fuels programs that prepare young people to be ethical, responsible, and engaged members of society. It’s an investment in character, leadership, and service, qualities that are more critical than ever in today’s world. By supporting Scouting, you are giving young people opportunities, experiences, and the foundation for a lifetime of positive contributions.
Invest in the Future of Scouting With Laurel Highlands Council
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, the Laurel Highlands Council is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement. If you live in the western parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, or West Virginia, giving to the Scouting America Laurel Highlands Council is your opportunity to help us empower the youth in our region to thrive and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Scouting’s programs and outdoor adventures give young people the opportunity to try new things, provide service to others, build self-confidence, and develop leadership skills. The Laurel Highlands Council serves youth members and volunteer adult leaders throughout western Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and parts of West Virginia. We aim to beneficially involve every eligible child and their family in the fun and adventure of our programs.
Your donations will support vital programs for youth and offer opportunities for young individuals to become prepared leaders of tomorrow.
Join us on this impactful journey to make a positive change in our community. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, or donate today!
