The Campfire Ashes Ceremony

    Ashes taken from a campfire are sprinkled into the flames of the new campfire. Next morning, when the ashes are cold, they are stirred, collected, and evenly distributed into small packages so each Girl Scout present at the campfire may take some with her to share with other Girl Scouts at other camp fires. If more than one Girl Scout brings ashes to the same campfire, the lists are pooled, the dates and places of all the campfires are recorded and passed on. This ceremony is a very special one and should be used only at meaningful occasions. It stresses our commitment to International Friendship and Comradeship. You must be at the fire ceremony to receive ashes from that fire.  You must maintain your own list of what fires your ashes have been part of and provide copies for participants.   Do not mix containers of ashes except in the fire.  For example, if you forgot your ashes, dont take some and add them to yours until the next fire.  It isnt right.  Do not share your ashes with someone else.  Ashes must come from the fire. 

CEREMONY

From the North, the South, the East, and the West the spirits of past campfires are here with us tonight, carrying fellowship in these ashes from other campfires, thus uniting us with friends and comrades in other lands.

(Add new ashes here)

May the joining of the dead ashes from our campfires of long ago with the leaping flames of our campfire tonight symbolize once more the unbroken chain binding Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Greetings to all campfires of the past.

These are the things I prize and hold of dearest worth,

Light of the sapphire skies, peace of the silent hills. Music of the birds, murmur of little rills,
Shelter of forests, comfort of the grass. Shadows of clouds that swiftly pass, and after the shower
The smell of flowers and of the good brown earth. And most of all, alond the way, FELLOWSHIP and mirth,
May naught mar the joy of FELLOWSHIP here. May none remain hungry and lonely of heart among us,
Let none go hence without the joy of new FRIENDSHIP. Give us more capacity for love,
And a richer consciousness of being loved. Help us overcome our coldness and reserve that we may throw ajar,
The gates of our hearts and keep open house this day and ALWAYS.

Now let us pray together:
 

Oh, Lord we pray:
For those who blindly seek God,
May they find him.
For those who believe they know God,
May they seek him.
For those who are afraid of the future,
May they have confidence.
For those who have failed,
May they have a fresh chance.
For those who doubt,
May they not despair.
For those who are alone,
May they find someone.
For those who hunger,
May they be satisfied.
For those who are satisfied,
May they be humble.

All sing: Taps

Benediction: "May we meet again to share other Girl Scout Fires.  "