Trail of Ashes - A Lord Baden-Powell Tradition

By tradition, campfire ashes are collected from Scouting events and carried to subsequent events where they are sprinkled into the flames of succeeding fires. If more than one Scout or Scouter brings ashes to the same campfire, the histories of the ashes are pooled into a list showing the dates, events and places represented by the ashes.

It is also traditional that only those present at the campfire be given ashes from that fire. The ashes represent the Friendship and Scouting Spirit shared by Scouts and Scouters at campfires around the world.

May the joining of these remnants of past Scouting experiences with the leaping flames of new ones symbolize the unbroken chain of fellowship and dedication to a common purpose that binds Scouts and Guides around the World.

Pack 518 ashes were received by a fellow scouter in April of 2007, and contain remnants of campfires at the following Scouting activities:

---

 Pack 518 Spirit Ash Pedigree

Over the years the spirit ashes have been used in many campfires throughout the world.  Here is the pedigree of the ashes from 1,572 known campfires.  These ashes began at Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, in August 1907 and have traveled around the world to campfires in 53 countries.

Starting at Brownsea Island and going west, the countries include England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Canada, USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Columbia, Brazil, Falkland Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, India, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Liechtenstein, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Iceland.

These campfires include:

• 53 Countries, including 32 U.S. States, 4 Canadian Provinces
• 66 National, International & World Jamborees
• 26 Klondike Derbies
• 15 Roundups
• 290 Wood Badge Courses & Gilwell Reunions
• 9 Brownsea 22 events
• 171 Camporees, in 20 countries
• 7 Flag Retirement Ceremonies
• 64 OA Ceremony fires, Conclaves & Conferences
• 7 Summer Camp Openings
• 2 Permanent Camp Closings
• 9 Brownsea 22 events
• 171 Camporees, in 20 countries
• 7 Flag Retirement Cermonies
• 156 Training Events/Conferences

• A Canadian Campfire with Lady Baden-Powell

• Soil from the grave of Lord Baden-Powell at Nyeri, Kenya
• Sand from Omaha beach (US landing site on D-Day, 1944), Iwo Jima, and the Persian Gulf War.
• Ashes from Mount Saint Helens which destroyed 2 Boy Scout and 1 Girl Scout Camps

Click here for the complete list of campfires that constitute Pack 518's Pedigree of Ashes.

 

 

Home | Upcoming Events | Calendar | About Us | About Cub Scouting | Just For Kids! | New Parent Info | Training | Photo Gallery | Tiger Cubs | Wolves | Bears | Webelos | A&S Program | Resources | Derby Race Results | Forms & Maps | Trail of Ashes | Links | Contact Us

 

This site was last updated 09/10/08