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2nd NATIONAL CAMP- 1939
The year 1939 was to be a memorable one to Canada because of the visit of ‘Their Majesties' and the inauguration of the 30th year of Guiding in the Dominion. 
July 14 - 21 1939, Rothesay, New Brunswick, 250 Guides gathered from every province for the 2nd National Camp. The Board of Governors for Rothesay Collegiate school generously donated the buildings and the grounds for the camp. The site of Rothesay Collegiate School (about 9 miles from Saint John's) had several advantages; attractive playing fields with an outdoor swimming pool all of this in a woodland setting overlooking the Kennebacasis River.
Each Province was allowed to send 4 Commissioners, 8 Guiders and 13 Guides or Rangers, in addition to the daily Camp activities there was to be conferences for Commissioners and Guiders; Pow-Wows for the Guides and Discussion Groups for the Rangers with interesting speakers. Sight-seeing excursions, special events, teas and luncheons were also planned.
The first night began In the centre of the schools gymnasium a campfire was erected, around which were representatives of each of the nine provinces of the Dominion, bearing torches. After greetings from the Chief Commissioner the torches were lite and each bearer then advanced to the campfire, repeating as she advanced, "To this campfire I bring my torch and to the campfire friendship, loyalty and service of the girls of my province." The last torch was placed by the Chief Commissioner followed by the Girl Guide promise. This impressive ceremony ended with the singing of a chorus of ‘O Canada'.
The last day of Camp the entire camp gathered for the Closing Ceremony of the Golden Link, when, passing from the hands of the Commandant to the Chief Commissioner and around the great chain of Guides, each one received a golden link to carry back from the Camp to her own corner of Guiding in Canada as a symbol of the chain of friendship and service. On the back of each link is written: "Friendship and Service-C.G.G. 1939 National Camp".
Mrs. Warren, Chief Commissioner presented one of the five Girl Guide National flags that had flown in Flanders Fields during the Great War, and was later given back to the National Association and presented it to the New Brunswick command as a reminder of the wonderful week they had given their sister Guides from other Provinces.
And so the National Camp of 1939, the highlight of the 30th year of Guiding in Canada, with the girls forming a horseshoe in the lower field at 8:15pm there was a special observance of the 30th anniversary of founding of the movement in Canada, camp closed in a very real spirit of friendship and a closer understanding in the chain of Canadian Guiding.
Sources used: The Canadian Guider, Volume 8, No. 5, September 1939.
Press Clipping Service, Halifax Herald, N.S. July 26th 1939
National Camp Invitation Newsletter - 1939
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