CAMP23 is the latest virtual chapter in a long line of organizations dedicated to the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, a Canadian tradition that connects engineers across the country to a shared commitment to integrity and responsibility. This new platform, associated with the 7 Warden Company and Iron Ring, carries forward the history and traditions of the many Iron Ring camps across Canada, such as Camp 1 in Toronto and Camp 6 in Edmonton, among others.

The history of the Iron Ring dates back to 1922 when seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada came together to strengthen the bonds within the engineering community and foster a shared ethical commitment. The inaugural ceremony, taking place in 1925, saw six engineers in Montreal receive their rings, making them the first to embrace this emblem of the engineer’s promise to society and the profession.

With each camp that emerged over the years, the tradition grew in cultural and professional significance. Camp 13 in Hamilton, Camp 4 in Saskatchewan, and Camp 8 in Manitoba represent the expansion and localization of the Ritual, bringing the ethos of the profession to individual communities and institutions.

The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, created with the support of Rudyard Kipling, is not just a ceremony but a solemn expression of engineers’ dedication to their craft and their society. It is a private affair, steeped in meaning, during which engineers receive their Iron Ring as a tactile reminder of their oath.

While the Iron Ring itself is not a symbol of qualification—registration and qualification to practice are determined by provincial and territorial bodies—it is a powerful symbol of an engineer’s obligation to live and work ethically. The Ritual, the Ring, and the history behind them continue to be preserved and promoted by organizations like CAMP23, which, through its virtual platform, provides an overview and connection to this venerable tradition for new and seasoned engineers alike.