118th St. Andrew’s Scout Group

04/17/2026

Lights off. Stars on.

It’s International Dark Sky Week. Even just outside Calgary, light pollution makes a difference in what we can see.

Head a little farther from the city, give your eyes time to adjust, and look up. There’s more there than you think.

From Jennifer Howse, “Protect the Wilderness of the Night Sky.”

04/07/2026

03/12/2026

This year our group is using the theme of STEM (STEAM). The Cubs have been learning that science and art are inherent in each other
Painting AND making candles

03/06/2026

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring—a time of joy, togetherness, and renewal. Happy Holi to all our members who are celebrating!

03/06/2026

Hey, students! 📢

Turn your summer dreams into a reality! 🌟

If you haven't applied for your summer job with Parks Canada yet, there’s still time!

Join us for a season of adventure, unique locations, and unforgettable memories. 🏞️ Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity.

Apply now 👉 parks.canada.ca/summer-jobs

03/06/2026

Good news, everyone!

Registration for Pathway and River Cleanup volunteers opens at 9 AM TODAY.

That's right -- the annual Pathway and River Cleanup is BACK, baby.

📄 Registration is open until March 31st.

🛁 The 59th Pathway and River Cleanup happens May 1 - 3, 2026.🗑️

👉 Important Checklist:

All volunteers must be:

✔️12 years or older
✔️Accompanied by a parent or guardian (if you're between 12 and 17 years old)
✔️Physically fit(ish)
✔️Willing to get dirty
✔️Able to commit to three hours of clean up on one of the three event days

👍GOOD TO KNOW: You MUST register to be part of this event!
Sign up here: https://brnw.ch/21x0tzr

03/06/2026

Education is safety

Due to recent incidents, we want to remind Calgarians of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure and how to protect everyone in your home.

Carbon monoxide is a silent predator. It is a poisonous gas that has no colour, smell or taste and exposure can have fatal consequences for you and your family.

If you are exposed to CO gas, you may get flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, confusion and dizziness.

If anyone in your home experiences the symptoms of CO poisoning or your CO alarm goes off, you should leave immediately and call 9-1-1. Do not go back inside until the Calgary Fire Department tells you it is safe to do so.

For more information on how to protect you and others, including where to install alarms, how to prevent CO build-up in your home and what symptoms to look out for, visit: https://www.calgary.ca/safety/carbon-monoxide-alarms.html

03/06/2026

Safe Tree Felling: Understanding the 3-Cut Hinge Technique 🪓🌲
Whether you are clearing land for a new backyard build, harvesting wood for a timber project, or just managing your property, understanding the proper mechanics of felling a tree is absolutely crucial for safety and control. This detailed visual guide breaks down the essential distances, cuts, and geometry needed to safely drop a tree exactly where you want it. Let's break down the mechanics of the cut! 👇

🌳 The Directional Notch (First & Second Cut)
The first step in safely bringing down a tree is creating a directional notch on the side facing the exact direction you want the tree to fall.

* First Cut: This is a diagonal cut made downwards into the trunk.
* Second Cut: This is a horizontal cut made at the base of the first cut to meet its endpoint, cleanly removing a wedge of wood. This open face allows the tree to pivot forward without the wood pinching shut too early.

📏 The Felling Cut (Third Cut)
This is the final back-cut that actually brings the tree down, made on the exact opposite side of the trunk from your initial notch.

* Notice the vital 5 cm vertical measurement shown on the left! You never want your third cut to perfectly align with the point of the notch. It needs to be placed approximately 5 cm higher than the corner point of your first and second cuts.

🪵 The Vital Hinge (Distances Between Cuts)
Look closely at the vertical dotted lines in the center of the stump labeled "Distances between cuts." You must stop your third felling cut before it reaches the notch, leaving about 5 cm of solid, uncut wood in the middle.

* Why is this important? This uncut column of wood acts as a physical hinge. As the tree begins to tip, this strong hinge controls the rate of the fall, keeps the tree attached to the stump just long enough to guide its direction, and heavily reduces the risk of dangerous, unpredictable twisting or the trunk kicking back toward you.

Safety always comes first when working with heavy timber and chainsaws. Mastering these basic principles of wood geometry will keep you safe and your projects moving smoothly! 👷‍♂️🪵