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 (continued):

The local parish, St. Margaret of Scotland, singled out fifty of their neediest second through eighth graders to enjoy the Edmund Rice Camp. St. Margaret, one of Chicago’s most affluent parishes at one time, presently has a school population where 85% of their families below the federal poverty level. The parish has a shelter on its campus associated with the Maryville Academy of Illinois. Several residents of the shelter were with us throughout the duration of the camp. Fr. Mallette, similar to a modern day Blessed Edmund and St. John Bosco, would appear on the doorsteps of his poorest parishioners gathering up the youngsters to bring to the camp.

Br. Nick Morris was contacted about the Edmund Rice Camps worldwide.He emphasized three points; 1) the Edmund Rice Camp is to be eventually turned over to young people after our initial involvement, 2) the Camp is to be financed by the young people involved, and 3) there is a need to develop an associate type program for college age students.