Edmund Rice Camps Recognition

On this year’s camp we have two volunteers who have celebrated 10 years of leading Edmund Rice Camps: Luke Reppion (Liverpool Camp) and Steff Cook (The Wirral Camp). We have asked Luke and Steff what camp means to them and what has kept them volunteering the last 10 years.

In Luke’s words:

“Being able to give back to local children and run a summer camp full of weird and wonderful activities means a lot. I am grateful to all those I have met through camp because for the past 10 years they have made it the best week of my year. I continue to look forward to more camp songs, games and more.”

In Steff’s words:

Working for Eddy Rice Camps is simply the most rewarding experience you can think of. These camps help the loudest child feel understood and the quietest child feel included. It is impossible to put into words how much these camps mean to our kids, and how many smiles we can put on the faces of those who could barely look us in the eye on the first day. 

Leaders and children alike, it is an emotional end to the week of camp because we are such a family. Leaders develop confidence, transferrable skills such as teamwork, communication, responsibility and understanding, even in my case. When I started as a leader, I was not incredibly confident and was terrified at the thought of public speaking. Now I have not only been promoted through the camp ranks to camp mentor in recent years, but I wouldn’t have such a strong career now without that experience. I can’t imagine ever not taking the time off work in the summer to take part in Edmund Rice Camps. Friends and family would always ask me if it was worth using my holiday entitlement at work to volunteer for camps in the summer, and I would always respond with “absolutely.”

Completing ten years of leadership on Edmund Rice Camp is a huge milestone to reach and we cannot thank Luke and Steff enough for their dedication for and inspiration on camps this last decade