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Edmund Rice Camps Vic "ERC" was started in 1981 by a small group of Christian Brothers and young men from Parade College, Bundoora. It was established in recognition of the work of Edmund Ignatius Rice. He was also the founder of the Christian Brothers.
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In 1981 ERC hosted two holiday camps on the Parade College grounds for Vietnamese refugees and other boys in need. Throughout the rest of the 1980s, the camps began to attract increasing numbers of young men and women every summer who were in need of friendship and attention.
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Today, ERC is a full-time non-profit organisation, which provides camp experiences throughout Victoria for disadvantaged children, families and more recently, for refugees and indigenous children. A booked called "Living the Spirit" captures the history of Edmund Rice Camps Vic. To purchase a copy of this wonderful book please download the order form.
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Over 250 volunteers assist ERC in providing the camps. These volunteers are aged between 17 to 30 years of age and are allocated to each camp to provide a 1:1 ratio of care for each camp participant. The most experienced volunteers on each camp assume roles of greater responsibility in order to facilitate the logistical coordination of the program and to offer support for the remaining volunteers who provide direct care to the camp participants.
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ERC is committed to its volunteer policies and to providing regular training for all volunteers. All prospective volunteers must apply directly to ERC’s Executive Officer, provide character references, successfully complete a Working With Children Check and attend an ERC New Leader Training Day. |
