Edmund Rice Camps NSW

Edmund Rice Camps NSW (ERCNSW) is a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and young people (aged 5 to 15 years) and families experiencing significant and complex disadvantage. We provide a variety of group-based, recreational activities, including week-long and weekend camps and follow up day programs for participants who otherwise could not afford or access opportunities like this. This community engagement opportunity is for a week-long camp – a 5-day intensive program that includes all training and orientation, as well as a variety of games and team-building activities.

Our camps are led by an amazing bunch of young adult volunteers (from 16 to 29 years of age) who give their time, energy and expertise to plan and deliver an empowering experience in a safe, fun and supportive environment. Volunteers are recruited from a variety of schools and universities, as well as the general community – through friends, family members, and people with an interest in volunteering. Our camps feature a unique 1:1 ratio of volunteers to children. This high ratio enables us to provide intensive support and enrichment for all of our participants – each with their own abilities, needs and circumstances.

Many of our participants come from different backgrounds. For example, they may:

• be living in out-of-home care,
• come from a very low-resource household,
• have a disability and/or mental health issue,
• be living with a family member with a disability or mental health issue,
• be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander,
• or are from a migrant, refugee or asylum seeker background.

Our camps and activity days feature fun and intensive structured activities that are centred on building relationships, affirming peers, developing soft skills ¬– teamwork, communication and leadership – and renewing a sense of confidence and self-worth. ERCNSW encourages participants and volunteers alike to return to camp, seeing the cumulative benefits of attending multiple camps over a long period of time.

The role

The role of a Volunteer Leader on an Edmund Rice Camp is varied and can be challenging. It may differ from camp to camp, however the following principles remain:

• Provide active supervision for the participants.
• Assist in the provision of activities to participants (i.e. games, crafts, sport etc.).
• Act as a positive role model for the participants and other Volunteer Leaders.
• Follow directions of Team Leaders, Facilitator, and ERCNSW staff.
• Follow policy and practice of ERCNSW as explained in training and briefings.
• Treat each individual with dignity, sensitivity and respect, and develop the self-esteem of all on camp.

Most of your time will be spent supporting the children to positively engage in the games, activities and excursions which are planned and run by our experienced team. You will also be asked to help with the day-to-day running of a camp, which may include helping prepare or clean up from meals, managing our resources, cleaning, doing the children’s laundry, and more.

Head to the Edmund Rice Camps website to learn more about volunteering