Tradition of the Ashes.

I was recently reminded of the  Tradtion of the Ashes.

For those that may not have heard of the tradition.  This was passed to me  at  my Wood Badge class. ( long live SR-923! Long Live the Beavers!)

Campfires are a tradition in Scouting. They are shared by young and old, boys and girls in nearly every nation on earth. Fire has always been important to human kind. It warms our bodies, cooks our food and brings joy to our spirit. At the dawn of mankind, fire was frightening and mysterious. Over time our species learned to control fire, carrying it from place to place. Later we learned to tame it, create it and master it. And yet, it still can harm or heal. Fire has always been a part of our survival, our religions, and our recreation. 

As we come to the close of this scouting event, I wish to share an important ceremony with you.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the Chief Scout of the World, used to collect some of the ashes from each Scouting event and carry them with him to the next event. He would mix the ashes of the old fire with the new one. As this tradition has spread, scouts from around the world have shared campfires and ashes with each other. Lists have been kept of the events where they have been shared. These lists form a history and a bond between us over the years and across the miles, no matter our language, culture or uniform.These ashes represent the Friendship and Scouting Spirit shared by Scouts and Guides 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 the Scouts and Guides of all nations. All who keep the friendship ashes and wish to share thier ashes or event lists are welcome to step forward at this time.

The list and ashes I have tonight bring with them a long history:

As I/we add the ashes of the past to the flames tonight, may the sparks that rise remind you of all the lives that have passed this way before. They shared their fires and blazed the trail that we follow tonight.Scouters, remember that those you train now are our leaders for tomorrow.Scouts, remember to thank those who have gone before you and give of yourself to those who follow you. May the trail you blaze with your life be worthy of such rememberance.

My ashes  were given to me in a plastic film container. If you still have a 35mm Camera  or know someone who does you can save  the containers  from the film. For those of us that have gone all digital, BH Photo Video  sells packages of 5 for $1.95. (www.bhphotovideo.com).

The greatest thing about this tradition is you don't have to wait to start it.  Grab some ashes from your next  campifre and start recording your own history. When you get  to an event that has  Some of the orginal Brown Sea Island ashes, it will instantly add  1,000's of campfires to your history.

Here is one history I found on the web  with more than 4400 campfires  listed.http://www.pgcps.org/~kworth/1046/ASHES-2007f.pdf