As girls are set to arrive at Guiding Mosaic 2016 (July 9 to July 17), our 13^th national camp, we have combed through the archives and discovered some pictures from past national camps.

Our first national camp was held in 1927 in Victoria, B.C.  It had 316 attendees from eight provinces and Newfoundland (which was not a Canadian province at the time). Pictured here is Sarah Warren, our second Chief Commissioner, travelling in the scenic train car en route to camp. (APH 1843b photographer K. MacDougal)

Our second national camp was held in Rothesay, New Brunswick with 250 attendees representing every province plus campers from Girl Scouts USA. (APH 1615)

Pictured above is a march past the Connaught Ranges in Ottawa where the 1952 national camp was attended by 1,303 girls and women, including representatives from the USA, Bermuda, Dutch West Indies, Jamaica, and Great Britain. (APH 1625 photographer Donaldson)

The National Heritage Camp in 1967, held on Morrison and Nairn Islands, St. Lawrence River, had 1,800+ attendees, coming from every province and territory, as well as guests from 11 countries. (APH 1164)

Echo Valley ‘88 held in Echo Valley Provincial Park, Saskatchewan, welcomed 2,500 Canadians and 429 international guests from 41 countries. (APH 2735)

Guiding Mosaic 2006 held at Guelph Lake having fun, no matter the weather.

No matter the location or how they have grown, our national camps have always provided opportunities for new experiences, making new friends and having fun.

Explore some of the previous posts in the Opening the Vaults series from our national archives: Creative camp gadgets;  1920s and 1930s Campfires and Cookbooks;  The Maple Leaf Forever; Mountaineer, Explorer and Girl Guide Phyllis  Munday.