By Matthew Quattrocchi ‘21

Edmund Rice Camp is an annual tradition at Brother Rice and has been deeply embedded into our school’s culture to carry out the work of Edmund Ignatius Rice.

The year 2020 has brought many challenges in hosting a successful camp. Due to COVID, Edmund Rice Camp was canceled last year, leaving the Brother Rice community with unfinished business.

The Edmund Rice Camp student leaders are hopeful that the 2021 summer camp will be hosted, remaining optimistic in such unprecedented circumstances.

Mrs. England and Mr. Augustyn are the faculty directors of Edmund Rice Camp. When asked about the plans for camp this year, Mrs. England said, “Mr. Augustyn and I talked about ERC this year, and we realize that we need to develop a plan to host ERC this summer despite the problems that COVID presents. ERC is too important to miss two years in a row.”

Mr. Augustyn said, “We are exploring many different options in order to bring back a camp experience this year. We know we will need to be flexible, but our goal is clear: We will offer camp in some form this summer.”

Recently, the Edmund Rice Camp student leadership committee hosted its first meeting in preparation for camp this summer. The leadership team is beginning its fundraising campaign in the upcoming weeks and can use all the support it can get.

Quinn Clifford, the Student Activities Coordinator, said, “With COVID restrictions, Edmund Rice Camp is going to be run a little differently this year. However, the solid leadership team we have this year is looking forward to facing these challenges and providing the best camp possible.”

The best way for Brother Rice students to become involved in Edmund Rice Camp is to be a camp counselor. Camp counselors play a large role in running a successful camp and all Brother Rice students are encouraged to involve themselves in the process of Edmund Rice Camp.

Mr. Augustyn said, “Students consistently tell me how rewarding they find their work for Edmund Rice Camp turns out to be. The joy they experience from their service outweighs the work they have to put in.”

Edmund Rice Camp serves as a unique opportunity for students to involve themselves in the Brother Rice culture and to offer service back to the community.

Mrs. England said, “On Sunday at Open House, James Wall, who was a camper at Edmund Rice Camp, stopped by the ERC table. He shared with another visitor how much fun he had at ERC. If he attends Rice, he hopes to become a counselor, too.”

The leadership team and school community are excited to face the challenges presented and are hopeful of a successful camp this summer.

Despite the circumstances of COVID, the Crusaders plan to host camp in June this year in order to carry out a classic school tradition of Edmund Rice Camp.

Crusaders, the show must go on!