Santa Monica Boy Scout Troop 2 Opens Annual Christmas Tree Lot at New Location
- Publisher
- Dec 1
- 2 min read
Santa Monica’s Boy Scout Troop 2 has opened its annual Christmas tree lot this year at a new location at 2412 Pico Blvd., at the corner of 24th St. and Pico, behind the former Rite Aid drugstore.
The lot will operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends through mid-December, or until the inventory is sold out.
The Troop 2 lot has been a local holiday tradition for generations, offering fresh-cut Douglas and Noble fir trees – all shipped directly from Oregon, and known for their quality and long-lasting freshness. Shoppers can also pick up wreaths, garlands, holiday crafts, tree stands, and more.
The fundraiser is entirely run by the Scouts and their families, who handle everything from unloading trucks, to helping customers select and load their trees, to offering home delivery. Proceeds support the troop’s year-round programming – including monthly campouts, high-adventure expeditions and summer merit badge camps – while helping Scouts develop communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
“Our tree lot teaches Scouts about entrepreneurship and customer service, and all proceeds from the lot go right back into our program,” said Troop 2 Scoutmaster John Matise. “They help make possible the kinds of experiences that define Scouting, build community and nurture lifelong friendships.”
Over the past year, funds raised through the tree lot helped open the door to an unforgettable journey for Troop 2 this Summer – an expedition into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon.
Dozens of Scouts took part in the high-adventure trip, designed to expose them to the unspoiled rainforest ecosystems and the culture of the Indigenous Maijuna tribe. Alongside local guides and researchers, they helped with environmental fieldwork that included setting up camera traps, surveying mineral licks, and mapping wildlife habitats.
The Scouts also learned about Maijuna agricultural practices, beekeeping, and sustainability, while practicing their own outdoor skills through piranha fishing, birdwatching, canoeing, hiking, and even an impromptu soccer match with local teens.
In addition, they completed several service projects with the Maijuna, including building a floating dock, painting their school and community center, and planting trees.
It was an incredible cross-cultural experience in one of the most remote parts of the world – one that left a lasting impression on both the Maijuna hosts and the Troop 2 Scouts and parents.
Troop 2 has been serving the young men of Santa Monica since 1946. In addition to its fundraising work, the Troop gives back through partnerships with local schools and Eagle Scout service projects that improve public spaces and community facilities across the region.
“We see families who’ve been buying their trees from us for decades,” said Troop 2 Tree Lot Chair Roger O'Brient. “Kids who once sold trees are now bringing their own children to pick one out.”
The Scouts will also be out in the community this season, serving hot drinks and treats at the annual Montana Avenue Holiday Walk on Saturday, December 6.
Remember that buying your tree at the Troop 2 lot directly supports local Scouting.