Heard it from a Scout: Arctic action — a call for conservation
An aerial view of the Arctic landscape (Photo by NCC)
Each unique landscape in this world — whether it’s a forest, prairie, desert or the Arctic — plays a pivotal role in nature. The Arctic, in particular, supports a variety of flora and fauna while also helping to regulate global...
Heard it from a Scout: Discovering the winter night sky
Discover the winter night sky (Photo by Steve Owst CC0)
One of my most relevant memories during my Scouting years happened at a winter camp in E. C. Manning Provincial Park in BC on a frigid February night. Our patrol was made up of a group of eight Scouts, between 11 and 13 years old, camping in a...
Heard it from a Scout: Turning over a new leaf for forest conservation
Where better to start contributing to forest conservation than within the Scouting community, where youth strive to enjoy, explore and protect nature every day? (Photo by Scouts Canada)
What would a tire swing be without a branch to hang from? How about a summer picnic with no shade, or summer adventuring without camping in comforting forests? Scouts and nature lovers alike understand the feeling of calm and sense of home within...
Heard it from a Scout: How we can take a LEAP for the environment
Hiking allows you to explore nature and get moving! (Photo courtesy Scouts Canada)
No matter who we are, where we live or what we do, we interact with the environment daily. For children, nature is often a playground. For some adults, it can be a place of silent refuge. Regardless of one’s relationship with the outdoors,...
Heard it from a Scout: Five summer camping safety tips
Scouts with their camping gear (Photo by Scouts Canada)
Summer is officially underway, and with it comes prime camping season. Scouting is all about connecting with nature and experiencing the exhilaration and challenge of outdoor adventures, such as hiking, rock climbing, paddle sports and, of course,...
Heard it from a Scout: Wonderful wetlands
Forested wetlands in summer (Photo by Mary Gartshore)
Wetlands are a pivotal part of Canada’s environment. They play a vital role in maintaining the natural balance of ecosystems. Wetlands are areas of land that become submerged or saturated with water either year-round or throughout part of...
Heard it from a Scout: How climate change affects maple syrup production
Scouts pouring hot maple syrup on snow to make maple taffy (Photo by Andrea Burbidge Photography)
Climate change is one of the great challenges of this century. From major natural disasters to large-scale shifts in weather, it's easy to forget about the other ways that climate change is affecting our world. One is on our breakfast...
Heard it from a Scout: Five outdoor winter adventures
Skiing is one of Canada's favourite winter sports (Photo by Emma Savić Kallesøe)
The temperature has dropped and frost is nipping at everyone’s nose — but don’t let the chilly weather scare you from adventurous opportunities outdoors. Pictures of your outdoor discoveries are fun to share with your friends,...
Heard it from a Scout: Lessons learned while tree planting in Fort McMurray
St. Albert and Fort McMurray Scouts planting a symbolic tree (Photo by Shayne Kawalilak)
In early 2017, my mom presented an idea to our St. Albert, Alberta, Scout troop — an idea that I didn’t realize would result in our small group doing something really big. My mom is a leader with Scouts Canada and she planted a seed...
Heard it from a Scout: Sumac is nature's tasty candy
Staghorn sumac (Photo by Kaelem Moniz)
In my first year of Scouts, I went on a hike with my troop and discovered a strange-looking plant. One of the senior Scouts told everyone that it was called staghorn sumac and that it was like “nature’s sour candy.” I tried it...
