ER Camps – Finding Family and Purpose

By Chloe Marks, ERC Ireland

My name is Chloe Marks, and I am a coordinator for Edmund Rice Camps Ireland. I first joined camp as a leader at Newry in County Down when I was 18 — and it was where I fell in love with the experience. For the first time, I felt part of something truly meaningful, empowering, and unforgettable. The bonds we formed with other young people made us a family.

The following year, I became a coordinator, which opened up new opportunities to imagine activities, lead projects, and give back to our community. I coordinated at Newry for another year before proposing a new camp in South Armagh, where I’m from. In summer 2025, Crossmaglen Camp was born. With the dedication of my co-coordinator Lauren and a team of incredible leaders, the camp was a huge success. Watching leaders grow from the very first training, seeing friendships blossom, and witnessing a new family form was truly inspiring.

Being able to make a real difference for children and young people in my own community ignited my passion for development work. Over the years, I’ve also travelled to camps in Omagh, Dublin, Cork, and Waterford — with Kilkenny still on my list!

At 21, Edmund Rice Camps has guided me to achieve so much, and I know this is only the beginning. Conversations with Ann from ERC England have opened exciting doors, from potential projects in Sierra Leone to new ways of spreading the magic and impact of Edmund Rice Camps.