Community Guidelines

Last updated: September 29, 2026

Joy Scout Club is a place to share what you're discovering, borrow some courage, and be around people who are paying attention to their lives, too. It works because people feel safe enough to be honest here. These guidelines are how we keep it that way.

What's shared here stays here

People share real things in this community: grief, hope, fear, big decisions, tiny wins. Please treat every story as if it were handed to you in confidence.

Don't screenshot, copy, or share anything from the Club, program spaces, or live calls outside the community, including posts, comments, names, and photos. That includes posting about another member on social media, even kindly. Your own story is always yours to share. Other people's stories are not.

Witness, don't fix

When someone shares something hard, the most helpful response is usually not advice. It's "I hear you," "me too," or "thank you for telling us."

If you have an idea or a resource that might help, it's okay to offer it gently. Just ask first, or make it easy to ignore. Nobody here needs fixing.

Grief and joy both belong here

Some people are here in the middle of something heavy. Others are celebrating something good. Often it's both at once. There's room for all of it.

Please don't compare losses or rank hard things, and skip the silver linings ("at least...," "everything happens for a reason"). Celebrate each other's wins without apology, and let people be sad without rushing them.

If you're sharing something especially heavy, like a death, a diagnosis, or self-harm, consider adding a short heads-up at the top of your post so others can choose when to read it.

Share your experience, not advice

Many of us have been through illness, caregiving, divorce, grief, and major change. Sharing what helped you is welcome. Please don't give medical, mental health, legal, or financial advice to other members, even when you're trying to help.

Be kind. Assume good intent.

We come from different places, beliefs, and backgrounds. You don't have to agree with everyone, but you do have to be respectful. No harassment, discrimination, bullying, or hateful language. If a conversation gets heated, step back, and reach out to us if you need help.

No selling

The Club isn't a place to promote your business, recruit for anything, or send unrequested sales messages to other members, including through direct messages. If you're not sure whether something counts, ask us first.

On live calls

Please don't record, screenshot, or share anything from a live call. Cameras are always optional. Join however you're comfortable.

Member-led gatherings: If you're hosting an Accountability Hour or other member-led gathering, you're helping hold the space for everyone else. Keep it welcoming, keep it on track, and let us know if anything comes up that you're not sure how to handle.

If you're struggling

We care about every person in this community, but the Club isn't a crisis service, and it isn't monitored around the clock. If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988 (in the U.S.) or contact your local emergency services.

If you see a post that worries you, please let us know right away at dana@joyscoutproject.com.

If something goes wrong

If you see something that doesn't follow these guidelines, please report it in the app or email dana@joyscoutproject.com. You don't have to handle it yourself.

We'll usually start with a friendly reminder. If something is serious or keeps happening, we may remove content, pause access, or remove a member from the community. We'll always try to handle things with care, but protecting the safety of the group comes first.

The short version

Tell the truth. Be kind. Keep each other's stories safe. Show up however you can.

The fire's always going.