our history

Edmund Rice Camps originated at a Christian Brothers School in Melbourne in 1979 to assist the development of community between new students arriving from Vietnam and existing students at the college. The concept and program were so successful that they began running camps for children from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds soon after. Edmund Rice Camps were born and began to spread over Australia and the world in the following years. The very first South Australian Edmund Rice Camp was held in 1990 and led by some extraordinary volunteers and Christian Brothers that have shaped camps today.

In 2020 Edmund Rice Camps South Australia will celebrate 30 years of service. Stay up to date via our newsletter, and social media channels, for more info on the ways we plan to celebrate. 

The camps take their name from the founder of the Christian Brothers, Edmund Ignatius Rice, who dedicated his life to working, living with, and providing opportunities for, the disadvantaged children of Waterford, Ireland. True to his spirit, we try to do it in a similar way but in a different time.

Edmund Rice Camps Today

In January 2012, Edmund Rice Camps groups across Australia, including us in South Australia, changed their logos to the new balloon logo. This new logo represents a few things about us: 

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• Edmund Rice Camps help kids and families rise above their challenges

• We offer volunteers the chance to view their lives from a new perspective

• The different shapes and colours are the variety of people we engage with; people from all walks of life

• The bright colours symbolise fun, vibrancy, and the energy on our camps
   

Edmund Rice Camps now operate in every state in Australia, and in various forms around the world. To see what's happening around Australia head to our national website.