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Eddie Rice Camps and programs honestly changed my life, from when I first met the team at school I knew this was something what I wanted to be apart of. Eddie Rice has changed the way I view life and is part of what has lead me to becoming an OT. The team has always been so accepting and supportive and I remember being a hyper, loud, excited, a bit all over the place, young girl who was often called disruptive but Eddie Rice taught me I had something and that I could be a leader and that really meant so much to young me and I still think about it to this day. Over the years of going to camps and events I felt that I was apart of something bigger and have Eddie Rice to thank for a lot of my compassion, growth, perspective and passion for working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Thank you Eddie Rice ❤️

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Dear Eddie Rice Camps (NSW)my name is Jordan I was one of the kids you guys helped I’m now 19 years old I can’t remember when I first came to Eddie rice camps but I do know I was always a trouble maker I loved my times at the camp my memories of the leaders still remain with me I continue life and continue living and being the best version of myself, Eddie rice camps always taught me to be a part of a team and I’ll never forget that the leader who were on camp with me were amazing. I remember Anna and ask others. Leaders were amazing like Nathan you guy always took care of us and went above and beyond for us so thank you for some of the best years of my life.

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My Eddie Rice journey started in 1985 at an Edmund Rice Camp at Shoreham when I realised, for the first time, that there was a very different world outside of the Catholic School existence I had led up to that point. The total immersion into the camp existence and the focus on giving the kids on camp the best possible experience was addictive and quickly became a tangible way I could contribute and be part of a much bigger thing.

The almost unique volunteer led model with trained and supported young people acting as role models, mentors and friends for the participants resonated with me immediately, and the obvious building of dignity, trust and the sense of community that developed each and every camp remains a feature of camps to this day.

My involvement has been as a leader, Camp Captain and Coach, Committee Member, Board Member, Treasurer, Board Chair and a Life Member. I stepped away from an active role in the organisation a couple of years ago but continued to live vicariously through my now adult daughter who is also a longtime volunteer.

The news and reality that a thing that I helped build from the ground up over 40 years ago is no longer transforming lives one camp at a time hurts, this was a tangible and wonderful thing that existed in the lives of thousands of leaders and campers and the memory and life changing good it has delivered will live on forever.

I am so grateful that ERC Vic has been life changing for me and has shaped my life in so many ways. It has helped me build my leadership skills, empathy and find ways to make the world around me a better place as well as foster a lifelong commitment to Volunteering. Missions evolve and I take solace in the belief that ERCS will continue to deliver transformative change and impact into the future albeit in a different way perhaps with less chanting, singing and cries of Eddie, Eddie Eddie, Oi, Oi, Oi.

Thankyou

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I just loved working with 'Alopi, Corinne and Rose from The Global Centre on COP31, ensuring that Pacific leadership is front and centre from the beginning. Huge thanks for all the work here!

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I came to Eddie ride camps when I was younger and I will admit I did make a lot of trouble. I was in foster care and had a really rough life and I always wanted to escape it and that’s when I went to camp every single holiday until I turned 15 or 16. Anyways the volunteers were such amazing souls, they took the time to understand who I was and why I was behaving the way I was. They showed empathy, compassion and patience with me. I always had a blast on camps and loved playing crocodile! Some key things I remember at camp is one getting my nickname which was chezza, I loved making bracelets and handing them out, writing letters to the volunteers, signing tshirts on the last day of camp, I had to go to hospital once and me and one the workers were listening to only exception- Paramore and she balled her eyes out- I remember passing around my song book and all the volunteers took the time to read it, I remember when I played up I would get asked why I was behaving the way I was instead of just getting into trouble. I just have so many memories there at Eddie rice camps and I can honestly say I may not have appreciated or seen how much it positively impacted me then- but I can see it all now- it changed my life for the better and I will always have a piece of Eddie rice in my heart

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It’s impossible to overstate the impact Eddie Rice Camps has had on me.

To this day, I consider my first camp back in the summer of 1999 as the single biggest formative experience of my life.

It revealed to me a world that existed beyond my bubble. It was the first time I had truly served - given everything of myself for those kids, and received nothing (tangible) in return. There was no certificate, no badge - just an incredible sense of fulfilment and gratitude. It felt good, and I was surprisingly good at it. As a 17 year-old, this was a revelation, and little did I know it at the time, but Camps would become my vocation, my calling.

It became a place that no matter where I was in the world I could always come back to, do a camp, and feel “whole” again. Camps became my primary source of spiritual nourishment. They reconnected me with the story of Jesus, as expressed through the charism of Edmund, which was lived out in countless “Eddie Moments”. This combination of forces ultimately led me back to my true self.

Now, as I look back over 20+ years of involvement in camps in VIC and SA, I am particularly grateful for:

the 1:1 moments and chats with young people and their families

the songs, games, stories, chaos, and sheer fun we had

the lifelong friends I made

the collective spirit of the leaders - all committed to a common cause of ensuring those kids/families had the best week of their lives

Key Christian Brothers and senior ER leaders who taught me about formation, and how to facilitate meaningful experiences and reflections

the countless volunteers behind the scenes who cooked, drove buses, organised programs, led Boards etc

the staff and leadership who always went above and beyond because they believed in the mission, often in the face of endless change and challenge

Now, while there is an undoubted sense of sadness and loss, I also feel hopeful as I think back to the example of those first trailblazing Brothers who started Camps.

I take heart knowing that the spirit of Edmund will always find new expressions and life in frontier spaces - spaces that exist both within and without us, and spaces that are often revealed when we go to the ‘edge’ and are in relationship with one another.

Thanks for everything ERC. ❤️

EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!!

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Edmund Rice Camps changed my life as a 9 year old who was dealing with so much that I didn’t know how to verbalise. The many leaders who showed up for me have lived in my heart as I’ve grown over the past 9 years, they remain important to me even now as a leader.

Eddie Rice Camps have been everything to me for the better part of my life and I can’t believe they’re over.

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Sebastian had such an amazing time, so much so it has inspired him to want to give back. He’s devastated that he can’t become an Edmund rice camp leader.

It’s the one place he truly felt included. He came home with smiles, so many stories and happy memories and the experiences. He would tell me how people would say how much they appreciated different things about him. He’s never known such kindness.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts ♥️

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NSW Double Camp at Mulgoa in July 2025 with over 50 leaders and 40 kids. What an amazing last program (though we didn't know that then) that NSW are super proud of. So many incredible kids and young leaders that all continue to amaze us. One favourite quote one little man said to me after this camp was " I wish Camp was 10 days not 4." This young guy came out of his shell more and more each day and so quickly because you all gave him the encouragement and the space to be his best self. So many lives touched and great stories like this from all the states camps communities. That's what camp does in such a unique way and has for more than 40 years. We are lucky to have been part of all . Thank You. Remember you are all rock stars and have so much to give!!! Jen

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It was everyone that made my time enjoyable, we all worked with each other well, I thank everyone for such a memorable experience, I may have unfortunately done one but I can say WE all made a difference, whether I was with you or not know we made a difference. Thank you all!

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Edmund Rice Camps SA  Channel 9 Telethon TV commercial - Mason Somerville

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One of my best experiences has been working with Edmund rice camps.  My very first camp completely changed my perspective—it showed me the power of kindness, connection, and community. Even though I only had the chance to attend a few camps after moving to Australia, those experiences were truly the best and left a lasting impact on me. I’ll deeply miss the friendships, laughter, and the sense of belonging that Edmund Rice Camps gave me, and I’ll always carry those memories with so much love.

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One of my best experiences has been working with Edmund rice camps.  My very first camp completely changed my perspective—it showed me the power of kindness, connection, and community. Even though I only had the chance to attend a few camps after moving to Australia, those experiences were truly the best and left a lasting impact on me. I’ll deeply miss the friendships, laughter, and the sense of belonging that Edmund Rice Camps gave me, and I’ll always carry those memories with so much love.

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I will forever be so grateful for all of the love and support ERC provided leaders and kids. Eddie Rice will always hold such a special place in the hearts of so many

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My experience with Edmund rice could not be explained by any words to show how much love I have for this business. My first time with you guys was last year at SMC Maryborough as a year 10 person with trauma. I had so much fun with the team and my role of a big buddy. So I will miss and cherish this memory forever. Thankyou guys so much.

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As a camper I was a troublemaker always causing problems until later when I grew up then I would start to help younger camper feel welcomed and loved and what inspired me was the leaders there were many leaders who helped me and inspired me I wish I could have have kept I touch with some of the campers I sometimes sit during the day and think how are they doing what are they up to but this camp inspired me to be the best version of myself I couldn’t imagine my life without Eddie rice camps I will forever be grateful for them teaching me how to love others so thank you Eddie rice camps you will be missed so much the world is losing more then a camp it’s losing a family it’s losing a place that has inspired more campers and leaders then people think the leaders who took time off to be there were amazing if I could leave you one quote I wrote myself it would be this

be yourself no matter how weird cause the right people will accept you for you so thank you

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As a camper I was a troublemaker always causing problems until later when I grew up then I would start to help younger camper feel welcomed and loved and what inspired me was the leaders there were many leaders who helped me and inspired me I wish I could have have kept I touch with some of the campers I sometimes sit during the day and think how are they doing what are they up to but this camp inspired me to be the best version of myself I couldn’t imagine my life without Eddie rice camps I will forever be grateful for them teaching me how to love others so thank you Eddie rice camps you will be missed so much the world is losing more then a camp it’s losing a family it’s losing a place that is inspired more campers and leaders then people think the leaders who took time off to be there were amazing if I could leave you one quote I wrote myself it would be this

be yourself no matter how weird cause the right people will accept you for you so thank you

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eddie rice camps changed my perspective on alot of things and helped me become the person i am and the person who i want to be for the future, it made me focus on the good things while still taking in what i can from the bad things. it made me love who i am as a person and love others as they are. it gave me friendships it taught me new things and will forever be apart of me as a person and i will never stop talking about it.

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It's a terrible thing to think that it's soon coming to an end, but as I look back upon the camps I volunteered on and funraisers I had assisted in, I can keep the wonderful memories and values Edmund rice camps had given me, the thing I was most thankful for was them giving me the ability to help those who needed it, and I will continue to show those values in life but I'll never forget the help and wisdom eddie rice had given me along the way

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So many precious memories, as a parent, Leader and (briefly) staff member from the late 1990s onwards. Watching and learning from the transformational experience for leaders and young people. The spirit of candle-sharing in South Australian ER Camps. The humble generosity of the Christian Brothers. Play, laughter, tears, pitching in, letting go and opening out.

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The first Edmund Rice Camp I volunteered on will always stick with me as something that changed my life. I was a timid 16 year old who didn’t know any of the other volunteers. I went into the camp very scared as I knew it was going to be physically, mentally, emotionally and socially challenging for me. Despite how hard I found it and how far out lf my comfort zone I was, I will never forget how everyone made me feel like I belonged and that we were working together towards something so meaningful and rewarding. I remember noticing that the kids on that camp becoming more confident as the week went and afterwards reflecting that I was too. And then I went on many many more camps over the next 9 years that allowed me to grow, make friends and make more memories. It’s hard to imagine who I would be and what I would be doing now if it weren’t for me going on each camp I went on.

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Sad to see you guys go so many good memories from 2001-2003 camps blue and green thank you for the life time experience eddy eddy he’s our man

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As a 5 year old who needed a place to rest, Edmund Rice Camps was the best place I ever could have been graced with. Now at 21, I just PC'ed the last camp in South Australia and I am eternally grateful for every single moment this community blessed me with.

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So much gratitude to have worked in our wonderful NSW ERCS Camps community over the last 2.5 years. Thank you to everyone who has made such a difference in the lives of kids that they will always treasure and never forget. Jen xx

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I started volunteering back in 2014 and it changed my life. I met best friends and a community of like minded people so passionate about changing the world. Volunteering with Eddie rice influenced me to become a social worker. Eddie rice came into my life at a really dark time in my life and gave me hope, strength and courage when I needed it the most.

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When I was 17, I volunteered on a camp that completely changed my life. Now, at 24, I can honestly say it was one of the hardest but most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. I’m so grateful to have been a small part of an incredible organisation that truly changes lives.

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It’s hard to pinpoint one significant moment. Being around everyone, while being the best version of yourself is always enough and will be a connection I always value.

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In an activity with young women, we painted messages on rocks. I still have mine after 10 years