Trail Life USA & Operation Christmas Child

National Collection Week
Nov. 17–24, 2025

Young boy in a Trail Life uniform holding an open shoebox full of gifts and treats

Your Troop Can Share the Gospel through Operation Christmas Child

Join Trail Life USA Troops nationwide in sending the Gospel to the ends of the earth! Simply by filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and personal care items, your Troop can give boys and girls in need around the world a tangible expression of God’s love. Many of these children also participate in Samaritan’s Purse follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey, where they learn to follow Christ and share Him with others. Since 1993, more than 232 million children in over 170 countries and territories have received a gift‐filled Operation Christmas Child shoebox given in Jesus’ Name.

Your Troop can give even more children an opportunity to hear the Good News! Our 2025 goal is for each Troop to pack 25 or more shoebox gifts. The first 30 Troops that meet this threshold will have an opportunity to receive an Operation Christmas Child pin for each member directly from Samaritan’s Purse. To participate, report your shoebox numbers by December 1, 2025.

Get Your Troop Involved

  • Pack and Assemble

    Collect shoeboxes or plastic containers and fill them with gender-appropriate items. If you wrap your shoebox, be sure to wrap the lid separately from the rest of the box. Set a goal for your Troop and start collecting today!

    Host a packing party. Use our step-by-step guide to customize your packing party experience and to order free materials.

  • Cover Ministry Costs

    Make a $10 donation for each shoebox you prepare to help cover shipping and program expenses.

    If you give online through Follow Your Box, you can discover the destination of your shoebox gift.

  • Drop Off

    Place a rubber band around each shoebox and bring them to one of over 4,500 drop-off locations open during National Collection Week, the third week in November.

    Make sure to indicate that you’re with Trail Life USA when you fill out the drop-off log. We want to celebrate this partnership with you and TLUSA!

  • Build Shoeboxes Online

    Invite your Troop to virtually pack shoeboxes at Build a Shoebox Online. In just a few clicks, select items you’d like to include in your gift and include a personal note and photo. We’ll pack and ship your shoebox for you for just $30.

    Create your own custom webpage for your Troop to track their progress towards a shoebox goal! At the above website, click “Create a Goal Page” to get started.

  • Host a Guest Speaker

    Contact your Operation Christmas Child regional office to be put in contact with potential speakers, including local volunteers, youth who helped deliver shoebox gifts, and even shoebox recipients.

  • Disciple Children Through The Greatest Journey

    After children receive shoebox gifts, many are invited to participate in our 12-lesson follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. During these Bible lessons, a trained teacher/mentor instructs them how to follow Christ and share Him with others.

  • Earn Tickets to Attractions

    Register your packed shoebox gifts in one more spot and your Troop could earn complimentary tickets to a theme park or aquarium.

Recognize Participation

Operation Christmas Child Pin

Recognize a boy’s involvement with Operation Christmas Child in 2025 with this commemorative pin intended for the first 30 Troops that pack 25 or more shoeboxes and report their numbers. Leaders can also order them from our store at any time to recognize a Trailman’s participation in the project.

Order Now for $5

National Collection Week Nov. 17–24, 2025

Operation Christmas Child® is a project of Samaritan's Purse®.
Operation Christmas Child® is a project of Samaritan's Purse®.
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