Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions.
What Scout Ashes is, how the campfire-ash tradition works, what it costs, and how we keep scouts safe. Still curious? Write to us.
What is Scout Ashes?
Scout Ashes is a free mobile app that carries forward one of scouting's oldest traditions: passing a pinch of campfire ash from one fire to the next. It makes that chain visible, verifiable and global — every fire is logged and linked back, ultimately, to Baden-Powell's original 1907 fire on Brownsea Island.
How does Scout Ashes work?
It follows the ceremony scouts have kept for over a century, in four steps. Collect a measure of ash from your campfire. Log the fire — the place, date, troop, and the people around it. Carry that ash to the next fire you light, wherever it is. Connect your fire to the one you received from. Each link grows an unbroken worldwide chain of campfires.
Is Scout Ashes free?
Yes. Scout Ashes is free for every scout, always. Optional premium features are billed securely through the Apple App Store or Google Play, but the core app is free and works offline.
What platforms is Scout Ashes on?
Scout Ashes is a mobile app for iPhone (iOS) and Android. It isn't live yet — it launches publicly in 2026. You can join the waitlist now, or ask to be a beta tester to help light the first fires.
When does Scout Ashes launch?
Scout Ashes launches publicly in 2026. It is currently in pilot with troops and an invite-only beta; join the waitlist to be told the moment it is available.
Is Scout Ashes safe for children?
Yes — safeguarding is built in. The community itself confirms who belongs, so members are verified rather than self-declared. Younger scouts stay private until a parent or guardian approves, exact fire locations are never shown to outsiders, and anyone can raise a concern — anonymously if they wish.
What if I don't have any ashes yet?
That's how every chain starts. You can light a first fire without inherited ash — log it as your origin, and the scouts you pass ash to build the chain forward from there.
Do I need to be part of a troop?
Scout Ashes is built for scouts, troops and leaders, but you log and carry your own fires. Troops get a permanent record of every fire they light, plus a free ceremony kit when the app launches in 2026.
Who is behind Scout Ashes?
Scout Ashes is made by SCOUT ASHES LLC, an independent project honoring the scouting ash-passing tradition. You can reach the team at hello@scoutashes.com.