About Us

Edmund Rice Camps Auckland creates safe, fun, and supportive camp experiences for children aged 8–12 who could use a positive break from everyday challenges. Many of our campers face social, financial, or family difficulties, and our goal is to give them a week filled with laughter, friendship, and growth.

Camps are filled with activities, games, and challenges that help kids build confidence, try new things, and most importantly — have fun. What makes us unique is our 1:1 leader-to-child ratio. This ensures every child receives the attention, support, and engagement they need throughout the week. While leaders are not paired with a single child for the entire camp, the close ratio means Tamariki are consistently encouraged, supported, and included.

Our leaders are passionate volunteers, aged 17+, who generously give their time and energy to make a difference. They are trained and supported to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for every camper.

While inspired by the values of Edmund Rice, our camps are non-religious and open to all children, regardless of background or belief.

At Edmund Rice Camps Auckland, we believe every child deserves the chance to feel valued, to belong, and to have fun.

Our History

Edmund Rice (1762–1844) was born in Callan, Ireland. A successful businessman in Waterford, Edmund’s life changed dramatically at the age of 28 when his wife passed away, leaving him to care for their young daughter. This loss deepened his faith and inspired him to devote his life to serving others, particularly the poor and marginalised.

He began by opening his home as a school for children who would otherwise miss out on education. Over time, others joined him, and he went on to establish the Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers — religious communities dedicated to education and social justice. During his lifetime, schools and projects were founded in Ireland, England, and Gibraltar, and his vision later spread across the world, including Australia, Africa, India, South America, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, the Philippines, the United States, New Zealand, and the Pacific.

Here in Auckland, two schools continue in the Edmund Rice tradition today: Liston College (Henderson) and St Peter’s College (Grafton). In 1996, Pope John Paul II recognised Edmund’s life of service and declared him “Blessed.”

Edmund Rice Camps

The first Edmund Rice Camp was held in Melbourne in 1982, when staff and senior students from Parade College organised a holiday programme for Vietnamese Boat children newly arrived in Australia.

In 1990, students at Kavanagh College in Dunedin brought the idea to New Zealand, establishing camps to support local children in need of a break. Building on this success, Edmund Rice Camps Auckland was founded in 2002 by a group of young people connected to St Peter’s College and led by Ben Skeen. Our very first camp was held at Camp Adair in Hunua for children from Auckland Catholic primary schools.

Since then, Edmund Rice Camps Auckland has grown into a fully volunteer-led organisation, offering week-long holiday camps for children aged 8–12 who face family, financial, or social challenges. Our heart has always remained the same: to give kids a safe, fun, and memorable break.

Today, Edmund Rice Camps operate across Oceania, with programmes running in New Zealand and Australia.

Edmund Rice Camps Auckland is an independent charitable organisation associated with the Edmund Rice Network in Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information on this network, Edmund Rice, and the schools and organisations that make up the network www.edmundrice.org.nz