Camps in the USA

Blessed Edmund Rice (1762-1844), "was moved by the Holy Spirit to open his whole heart to Christ present and appealing to him in the poor. He was given the grace to respond by identifying through Christ with the poor in order to evoke in them a deep awareness of God's loving presence." (Christian Brothers' General Chapter)

A brief account of the beginnings of Edmud Rice Camps in Chicago :
Sharing, animating, and enabling Edmund’s spirit of faith, community, and service, in a new intensive form became the focus. Several community members have been involved, based on individual schedules, personal commitments, and ability, in regular monthly meetings mainly with juniors and some seniors. Brothers Paul Ickes, Jay Toole, and Bosco Martin are directly involved in the educational ministry at Brother Rice High School. To their credit, Brothers Lucian Knaap and Bob Beckstrom minister elsewhere, but became actively involved, while Steve O’Keefe ministers in many different capacities on the Brother Rice campus. All worked with the group which came to be called the Edmund Rice Youth Leaders.

Young men were invited to the house for a barbecue, orientation, and prayer. Many Brothers in the Chicago area attended.

The concept of the Edmund Rice Youth Leader Group was presented to the Brother Rice faculty at a factulty meeting. Many were excited about the possibilities and made sacrifices to support the program.