Girl Scout Camps on US Territori

Girl Scout Camps on U.S. Territories

Panama Canal Zone Girl Scout Camps

Although Girl Scouts were known to be in the Panama Canal Zone as early as the 1920s, the first official council was not organized until 1934. Camping, of course, was part of the program! The first known camp was Camp Harriet Morrow at the Madden Dam area, but during World War II and after, camping was restricted to US military areas. Later camping was opened up to other areas. The population of GSUSA was never very high and they often worked the two other Girl Scouting organizations in the area; International Girl Scouts of the Canal Zone and Muschachas Guias de Panama. There were GSUSA "Little Houses" in Gamboa, Gatun, Ancon, Pedro Miguel, Dialilo, and Balboa and it is quite possible the day camps, overnight camps and such happened at these Little Houses. When the Panama Canal Zone was returned to Panama's control, GSUSA sadly bid goodbye to their international friends.

Camp Chagres
Panama Canal Zone

The 1962 Canal Zone Postage Stamp used Camp Chagres as an inspiration for the background design.
GSUSA shared Camp Chagres with the BSA, who developed more patches for the camp than GSUSA.
The campsite was located in the Chagres National Park.

Camp Caribbean
Gatun, Panama Canal Zone
1970s

CZ stands for Canal Zone.

This article shows the interaction with
the International Girl Scouts of the Canal Zone
and Muschachas Guias de Panama, the two other
Girl Scouting organizations in the area.

Camp Harriet Morrow
Madden Dam, Panama Canal Zone
First official campsite for GSUSA in the area.
1936

Brochure cover is from 1938
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