Celebrating National Student Volunteer Week 2020
As we celebrate National Student Volunteer Week, Edmund Rice Camps Victoria is blessed to have
many students who volunteer on our programs; their youth, enthusiasm, creativity and
energy help bring our programs to life!
Engaging students continues to be a cornerstone of our programs and not only do we create impactful experiences for participants, the value volunteers derive from the experience can also be profound. When participants take their experience further to become volunteers with us, the experience can be life changing.
Here’s Hazel reflecting on her volunteer journey to date and the impact it’s had on shaping her vision for her future….
"I have been involved with the Edmund Rice Organisation from a young age. Due to the incredible
experience, I knew I needed to volunteer. My first camp at age 16 was the Indigenous Kids
Easter Camp 2019, it was an incredible camp but presented a lot of challenges that new and
experienced leaders found quite difficult. Each leader showed resilience and pushed through the
week to keep the kids entertained, happy and making sure they left with a smile. Going into my
first camp I wasn't sure what to expect with my first little buddy, but when I met her she ran like
the wind and found myself chasing her around the whole of Amberley (with another leader of
course). I knew as a big buddy that it was my responsibility to provide safety and love to the
participants. And ensuring the kids buddied with me found self-worth and recognised their
resilience through finding their own confidence and allowing themselves to trust in me and this
organisation.
These camps presented me with so much truth, it showed the hardship some of the families face,
and even with this they are so grateful and kind-hearted. The trust the participants placed on me
allowed me to gain more confidence in my abilities with the program and my life outside
camps. These opportunities to give back to people on the margins have allowed me to see
the world differently and grow as an individual. This also inspired me to get involved with other
social justice activities and with these experiences and Eddie Rice Camps, has shown me I want to
dedicate my life to being a to support and being there for those who are in need. I've seen the
world differently and I've seen that I have a voice and the potential to change and help the world
around me. When talking about Edmund Rice Camps with others, I found it hard and I am unable
to get the words out to explain the power, happiness and strength the participants, leaders and
this organisation has. I would find myself just being in awe with the bonds we make with the
participants and emotion that is placed on us
My high school is involved in a lot of social justice activities and I knew this organisation would be
great when connecting them with the students at school. However due to COVID-19, we were
unable to connect, but hopefully, soon we are able to share the experience with the students and
allow them to engage and volunteer. When thinking about the future, it's hard to shape but I
hope I'm studying at a university, possibly ACU, with a bachelor of nursing, and then hopefully one
day this journey takes me to countries that need the support and I want be there both medically
and mentally especially for mothers and children. I’m so grateful to have Edmund Rice Camps in
my life, they have given me friendships and memories to last a lifetime and it's something I'll
cherish forever"
Hazel, ERCVIC Volunteer
Hazel with her first buddy (2019 Indigenous Kids Camp)