Camper Application Information

**General Application Deadline: February 1, 2012**
(Please note, application deadlines vary based on geographic region. Please check with your local selector for details on how and when to submit your application.)

General Information
There is no "typical" Rising Sun camper. Our aim is quite the opposite: to attract outstanding young men and women with different talents and interests from a variety of cultural and regional backgrounds.

Over the years we have recognized that the campers who have most benefited from our program have certain qualities in common:

1. INTELLIGENCE: Candidates should have demonstrated a capacity for intellectual achievement well above average.

2. TALENTS AND INTERESTS: We encourage the development of individuality and welcome candidates who have particular abilities and interests (music, art, science, sports, scouting; there are many more).

3. CHARACTER: A concern for humanity; appreciation of the value of human diversity; openness and fairness in dealing with others.

4. AGE: Girls and boys must be 14 or 15 years old at the start of the summer season.

5. ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES: Although the financial situations of our campers will vary, those whose opportunities may be limited by their family's financial circumstances will be given some preference.

6. CULTURAL REPRESENTATION: Selected campers represent a broad range of cultural backgrounds and are from several countries and throughout the United States.

7. LANGUAGE: Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English. As part of the program, they will be asked to discuss the life and aspirations of the people of their own countries.

8. PREVIOUS USA EXPERIENCE: Among our international applicants, we strongly prefer students who have never previously visited or lived in the USA.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To be considered for the Program, candidates must:

Have a birth date between June 1, 1996 and June 1, 1998.
Be available for the full seven-week season: June 23 - August 11, 2012.
Be competent in spoken English. Campers will need to discuss the life and aspirations of the people of their own countries. Speaking English is important for understanding safety instructions. Candidates may be called for a brief telephone interview as part of the application process.
Not be descendants of Camp Rising Sun alumni (i.e., child, grandchild, step child of any previous Camp Rising Sun participant). Siblings may apply.
Provide a full medical evaluation prior to arrival. Please note that candidates whose medical or psychological history would preclude full participation in our Program may be asked to withdraw their applications.

How Do I Apply?

You are encouraged to use our online application. Please be advised that all New York City candidates are required to apply online. If you are unable to use our online application system, you may download an application from our website or obtain one from your local selector. When complete, mail to the address listed on page 1 of the application.

Before beginning your application, you must create an account following this link. Your account will allow you to access your application, make revisions and save your progress over time. We encourage you to create your account as soon as possible to familiarize yourself with the process.

Once you create your account you will be prompted through a series of steps as follows:

· Family: Enter Contact Information for at least one parent/guardian with whom you live.

· Campers: Add yourself as an applicant.

· Registration: There is no payment required. Simply click to which camp you are applying and "Submit Payment Information" to proceed to the next page. Please accept our Waiver.

· Forms: Please complete the four short answer questions and upload your essay and transcript.

Short Answer Questions:

1. List up to three non-academic activities at which you spend the most time.

2. What personal interests or skills would you contribute to the Camp Rising Sun community?

3. List three things you would like to learn about the world.

4. How do you define “leadership?”

Essay Question: (Upload your essay as a Word or PDF file. Please limit your response to 2-single spaced pages.
Imagine: 50 years from now you will be recognized for a lifetime of achievement for making the world a better place. For what, specifically, will you have received this honor?

Two required references: Using the LAJF Candidate Reference Form, one reference must come from a school official such as a teacher, guidance counselor or principal and the other from someone who knows the candidate in a non-academic setting (extra-curricular activity leader, religious adviser, athletic team coach, scoutmaster). This must be a non-family adult.

A transcript: This should provide a list of classes and the grades/results achieved or an explanation, signed by a school official, of why this information is not available. Interim grades are permitted.

Please click here to create an account to begin your application

(You will be taken to our application portal administered by Bunk1, a website service for summer camps.)

Please click here to download the Candidate Reference Form

Contact Information:

Mailing Address: Telephone: +1 212-686-1930

The Louis August Jonas Foundation, Inc. Fax: +1 212-981-3722

152 Madison Avenue, Suite 2400 E-Mail: selection@lajf.org

New York, NY 10016

USA