More than 500 Girl Guides and their leaders from across Canada have come to Dauphin for the organization’s Crocus Camp 2023, which will be held, Aug. 20 to 26.

Camp director Melissa Lopushniuk of Winnipeg said this is the first year they are running such a Crocus Camp.

“So we’re really, really excited to have such a large camp and something to happen in our province. And specifically Dauphin. Dauphin has been really hospitable with us and has been a really, really great support in terms of the community,” she said.

The Girl Guides, ranging in age from 10 to 17, will be camping at Selo Ukraina. It was the Selo site which sold organizers on holding the Crocus Camp in Dauphin.

“The Selo site has such great infrastructure and there’s such great things around. We have the museum that we can utilize. We have so many great things. We have some out trips going in and around the city,” Lopushniuk said.

Activities for the week will include Ukrainian egg decorating, mountain biking, as well as an activity involving the local Communities in Bloom committee.

“So something for all of the youth involved,” Lopushniuk said, adding she hopes the girls will enjoy the week. “I definitely think that we’ve created something that really reignites their spirit and really gets them to enjoy guiding and to continue on. So this is a big thing for us,” she said.

The opening ceremonies were held, Sunday evening, which included a special performance by Sche Raz.