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What We Do
What we do best is to provide kids and families who are doing it tough, a break, some fun, and the opportunity to spend time with young positive role models.
ERC provides camps, day programs and other recreational activities for children (aged 8 – 15 years) and families, who are socially or financially disadvantaged. This provides a break from a home life that is often extremely stressful, it provides a positive and safe place to have fun, and introduces positive role models that can demonstrate friendship, patience, trust and perhaps a different way of relating.
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Our History
Edmund Rice Camps Vic "ERC" was started in 1981 by a small group of Christian Brothers and young men from Parade College, Bundoora. Two holiday camps where hosted 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. ERC was established in recognition of the work of Edmund Ignatius Rice. He was also the founder of the Christian Brothers.
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Today
Edmund Rice Camps Inc (ERC) is a not-for-profit, youth volunteer run organisation, governed by a volunteer board of management. We operate an average of 11 camps per years and have a active team of over 250 volunteers and a paid staff of two.
We are committed to building dynamic and supportive communities, where the promise and potential of every child and young person is realised, where the importance of the family unit is protected and where volunteering in the community is recognised as an important part of personal growth. .
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Our Volunteers
Each of our camps or recreation days are “staffed” entirely by our trained volunteers. These volunteers are mostly aged 17 -25 years. We invite, train and challenge these young people to act as positive role models to our participants, as well as each other. With a strict 1 to 1 ratio of campers to volunteers, we aim to create the best opportunity to build strong relationships. Our camps provide a context for volunteers to develop leadership skills, encourage empathy, increase social awareness and respond to challenging situations in a positive and meaningful way.
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.
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Our Staff
Our small team of professionals keep the wheels of the ERC turning by taking care of the essential roles of, volunteer recruitment and training, quality assurance, program development, coordination with referring agencies, fundraising, management of equipment, vehicles and resources, governance and legal compliance, marketing, communication and all the thousands other small task it takes to keep ERC the strong vibrant organisation it is. Let us introduce our team;Mark Monahan - Executive Officer - E:eo@ercvic.comCandice Brittain - Development Officer - E:candice@ercvic.com
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Our Board
We have established a very strong and accountable governance structure that provides leadership and support to the organisation and spreads our message to the wider community. We have attracted members to our Board of Management who have wide experience in the corporate sector and who strongly identify with our core values. To meet our board please click here |
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How We Are Funded
Our work is made possible by income generated from;Participant FeesVolunteer Fees Sponsorship from the Christian Brothers Oceania Provence Philanthropic grantsIn kind and cash donations from businesses and schoolsIndividual donationsFund raising events
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How You Can Help
Our team of staff, volunteers and supporters are committed to these essential children’s programs and volunteer opportunities. Together we have been able to achieve so much, ensuring that we continue reaching some of the most vulnerable children and families in our community and making a positive and practical difference in their lives.
But the work does not stop here… our mission is to reach more children and families and provide more opportunities for volunteers
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We Need Your Donation
Our supporters understand that by investing in of Edmund Rice Camps Victoria they are investing in their communities. They can feel proud that each donation directly assists every camp and activity we operate, every child and family we reach and every volunteer we support and train.
To make a donation please contact the ERC Office or Click Here |
