Edmund Rice Camps Victoria (ERCV) provide recreational camps and programs for children, adolescents and families, experiencing adversity, marginalisation and social isolation in the community.
Guided and inspired by the life of founder Edmund Ignatius Rice, it is ERCV’s priority to encourage sustainable change and development within communities, by promoting self-esteem and a sense of purpose and achievement in every child, adolescent and adult that attends our programs.
ERCV is also committed to the personal growth and development of all young adult volunteers, who serve as friends and mentors to those in its care.
Our History
Edmund Rice Camps, today an international volunteer organisation, had humble beginnings at a secondary school in suburban Melbourne. In January 1981, a small group of Christian Brothers and students from Parade College, Bundoora, hosted two holiday camps on the grounds of their College. These camps – one for Vietnamese refugees and the other for Melbourne children in need of a holiday – were a great success. Throughout the rest of the 1980s, ‘the Camps’ began to attract increasing numbers of young volunteers every summer, keen to spend a week with other young people that were in need of some support and friendship.
From that time onwards, Edmund Rice Camps became a regular school holiday fixture, growing to meet the needs of marginalised people in an ever-changing society.
Edmund Rice Camps Today
Today, Edmund Rice Camps maintain the core values and premise of founder Edmund Rice, by providing quality, mutually enriching programs that are delivered by inspired staff and volunteers.
January 2021 will mark 40 years since Edmund Rice Camps began in Melbourne. Stay up to date via our newsletter, and social media channels, for more info on the ways we plan to celebrate.
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