Edmund Rice Camps 2023

“ERC is the highlight of my year. The chance to spend a week making memories, bringing enjoyment and fun to a child’s summer is such a rewarding experience. As a leader the impact you can have is so special”

 After a hiatus due to Covid-19 we had four Edmund Rice camps up and running this year in Liverpool, Manchester, Stoke and The Wirral. Camps were run by four sets of excellent coordinators, supported by an amazing group of 100 volunteers who ensured 100 children had the week of a lifetime this summer. Day-to-day children enjoyed a host of different craft activities, sporting events and talent shows, with some special surprise day excursions. The Manchester Camp invited a reptile rescue animal group to the camp, with an afternoon filled with petting different snakes, geckos, and bearded dragons. Later in the camp week, the coordinators arranged a day trip to the Crockey Trail (an outdoor adventure park). No rain or mud could dampen the spirit and fun of the Manchester camp on this trip!

Thankfully, the weather held up for the Liverpool camps trip to the beach and they also spent the afternoon at the cinema with the children before having an inflatable obstacle course arrive at Runnymede for the final afternoon! The Wirral camp arranged an afternoon swimming and a trip to “Awesome Walls – Clip ‘n’ Climb.” This trip provided some great relationship building between leaders and children, with our volunteers encouraging and helping children to scale climbing walls and reach new heights. Finally, on the Stoke camp they spent a wonderful (and again, rainy) day at Wheelock Farm!

We are so grateful to the coordinating teams for planning such dynamic and fun excursions for all the children, which for many children on camp will have been the first time they have been on trips like these.

During the camp week, we also watched our volunteers grow into confident leaders and become role models and mentors to the children on their camps, whilst making friends for life with each other. We pride ourselves on camp being an inclusive safe place that is fun for children whilst also being a place for growth and development for our young leaders. This is achieved through daily reflections and evaluation. Here we watch and listen to leaders strive to make each day better, growing in confidence, planning skills and compassion for each other and the children in their care.

This year, unlike other camp years, was a time when most of our camp leaders were first time leaders. These new leaders rose to the challenge of leading camp without any past experience, and we are so proud of their efforts. This is down to the excellent leading of our experienced co-ordinators who have returned to camps despite the other commitments in their lives. We are truly grateful for their dedication and passion for Edmund Rice Camps.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the financial support of the Christian Brothers, without whom camps would not be possible. Finances on camp ensure that all trips, travel, resources, and food are free for all children and volunteers. We are also grateful for the kind donation to camp from some external donors, our Schools for generously working with us to recruit leaders in their sixth forms and lending their school sites for camp.

Although Edmund Rice Camps are over for another year the positive impact and memories our leaders have made for children will last a lifetime, with parents already asking for their children to attend next year’s camp! We cannot wait to see what next year brings and hope to get more camps up and running.