User:Sletts02/ERC Queensland

Edmund Rice Camps currently has a wiki, however, Edmund Rice Camps is solely a title. As explained in the original wiki, each state/country is run independantly and as such each will contain different information in the below headings.

Camp Themes
2003


 * Jan - Beach Party
 * June - Mad Scientist
 * Sept - Amazing Race

2004


 * Jan - Boot Camp
 * Jan - Enchanted Camp
 * June - Emergency Services Camp
 * June - Treasure Island
 * Sept - Lost in Africa

2005


 * Jan - Finding Nemo
 * Jan - Lifesavers
 * June - Mission Possible
 * June - Spooky Camp
 * Sept - Really Really BIG Camp

2006


 * Jan - Pirate camp
 * Jan - Toontown Camp
 * Jan - Hillbilly Camp
 * June - Wizard of Oz
 * June - Bloc Party
 * Sept - Harry Potter

2007


 * Jan - Spy Camp
 * Jan - Detective
 * Jan - Superhero Camp
 * Jan - Military Camp
 * June - ERC Dreaming
 * Sept - Space Cadet Camp

2008


 * Jan - Knight Camp
 * Jan - Aussie Outback Adventure
 * Jan - Lion King Camp
 * Jun - Space Camp
 * Sept - Indiana Jones and the Camp of The Time-space Confibulators

2009
 * Jan - Where on earth is Carmen Sandiego
 * June - Circus Camp
 * Sep - Play it by ear

History
The first Edmund Rice Camp was held at Parade College, Bundoora, Victoria in 1981. Since this time the camps have spread to all states of Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, South America and North America. Below we share the story of our beginnings here in Queensland.

In 1990, Br Damien Price was on the staff of St. Patrick's College at Shorncliffe. He was looking for some new ministry to be involved with and had heard of Edmund Rice Camps. The Province Leadership Team made contact with Damien and asked him to go to Melbourne over the Christmas holidays and investigate the camps. During January of 1991, he attended part of three different camps in Victoria along with Brother John Henry Shepherd from New Zealand who had brought over three young adults to look into setting up the camps there too.

The camps were great fun and exactly what Queensland were looking for. Upon his return to Queensland, Damien Price was posted to St. Laurence's College South Brisbane as the Campus Minister. During the Easter holidays of 1991 the first Queensland Edmund Rice Camp was held at Camp Laurence, Moogerah Dam. Some young adults were approached to be leaders. Megan Roseworn was a young lady Damien approached from St. Rita's College, Clayfield and the Antioch Movement; Wayne Chapman had been the College Captain at St. Patrick's College, Shorncliffe. The children for the trial were from the boarding house at St Joseph’s College, Nudgee and some children came from Carole Park and Kingston. It was a huge success.

The future of the camps depended on finding children who would benefit from the camps, and quality volunteers to run the camps. Sister Rosemary Grundy pbvm, a Presentation Sister, was working at that time at a Community Centre at Carole Park. She was very enthusiastic, and had several children in mind. Sister Alvera at St. Rita's College responded to an invitation from Br Damien Price and invited 8 young women to be a part of the next camp. Some old boys of St. Patrick's College and some of the St. Laurence's seniors joined the ladies from St Rita’s and a team of volunteers was formed.

An information evening was held at Carole Park. The mothers present asked some really difficult questions but were friendly. The presenters, Br Damien Price and Wayne Chapman survived and as they say, "the rest is history...."!

Mission
Edmund Rice Camps (ERC) aims to provide holidays, recreational activities and continual support for children, families and young people who have experienced disadvantage. The camps and associated activities offer the participants:


 * Experiences of friendship, fun and sharing


 * Positive role models in the volunteer leaders


 * Opportunities to build self-esteem and confidence and to relate and socialize better with others.

Young adults volunteer to act as leaders and role models giving parents and carers a much needed break. The camps aim to provide young adults with many opportunities for training and development, including:


 * Leaders' Training Weekends (including camp specific training and accreditation in relevant areas)


 * Retreats


 * Child protection training

Formation Courses (Social Justice & Peace, Cross-Cultural Awareness etc)Information about and access to other Edmund Rice formation and ministry programmes, including Edmund Rice Mentoring Support and overseas ministry placements

Edmund Rice Mentoring Support
A mentor is a wise and trusted friend and guide. They may act as a friend, teacher, support, advocate, and role model. Most of all they provide a safe, positive, stable, long-term one-on-one relationship.

Edmund Rice Mentors are matched with a child for a period of at least one year and aim to:


 * Establish a positive personal relationship.


 * Assist in the development of life skills needed by the young person.


 * Assist in obtaining an awareness of additional resources in the community.


 * Encourage interaction with other social and cultural groups

Mentors are supported throughout their volunteering and provided with:


 * Induction training


 * Child Protection Training


 * Ongoing supervision, support and training


 * Opportunities for debriefing and reflection