Thank you to everyone who joined us for a super sweet, maple-syrup filled day at Camp Rising Sun over the weekend! Click for photos from this year’s Winter Camp Day.
One of our program goals is to bridge the gap between people across cultural barriers. CRS camper Vidita learned a powerful lesson that reflects the impact of creating a feeling of interconnectedness between people.
Our hope is that campers will carry forward the lessons they learn while they are here. Aiden realized that our process of growing takes time— it doesn’t just happen overnight. It is continuous, and like a seed that we plant, it is something we will continue to nurture.
Before attending Camp Rising Sun’s virtual program, Diyora wanted to find a way to help develop her confidence. She was looking forward to learn new skills and to have an outlet for her newfound interests in philosophy and economics.
We are excited to announce the winners of the 2023-24 GEJ Scholarship Awards! These recent CRS alums, staff, and volunteers embody the values of leadership, excellence, and commitment to social justice across a variety of fields and disciplines. We congratulate them on their past achievements and wish them well in their future endeavors!
Congratulations to LAJF's George E. Jonas Scholarship recipients! The scholarship is awarded every academic year to individuals who have been enriched by the Camp Rising Sun program and are using the values and knowledge they have acquired to help their communities in creative and exciting ways. Read recipient bios here.
Today, Tim Conners writes to the CRS about why he passionately serves the community. He writes that "I felt reinvigorated helping with selection and being connected with other alumni. I once again felt the intense sparks which inspired me to serve on LAJF committees and eventually join the board. I have felt so fulfilled by being active in the alumni community."
Leymah Gbowee, a 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate, visited Camp Rising Sun this summer to speak with campers about her career as a peacebuilder and the importance of perseverance and working as a team to accomplish common goals. “she taught us the value of perseverance, ‘that even when life is too difficult you should stay put and keep focusing on your goals.’” Read about this enriching experience here.
Autumn is the time of the year where many alumni associations across the globe welcome home new campers. It is a time to begin new friendships across generations – something quite special to the CRS Alumni community. Chinese alumnae Lisa Li recently wrote a blog post on the Chinese Alumni Association webpage about rekindling old camp friendships – and about beginning new ones.
Kristen Chang (‘14, ‘15) visited Julie Kim (’89, ’90) as Julie was in the middle of moving her business, Littlefield, an all-inclusive art and performance space, to a new location. Read about how camp inspired Julie to change careers and open this art space.
Over the last year the LAJF Board, Staff, and Volunteers have worked diligently to preserve our Camp at Red Hook and make the best use of it to further our mission. What follows is an update on what is being done to restore the property, the property tax-exempt status, the use of Red Hook by 2017 campers and the steps required to re-open Red Hook.
LOUIS AUGUST JONAS FOUNDATION 6 RISING SUN LANE RHINEBECK, NY, 12572, UNITED STATES +1 (212) 686-1930 CONTACT@LAJF.ORG
The Louis August Jonas Foundation (LAJF) and Camp Rising Sun (CRS) have a long-held commitment to the principles of diversity, stemming from our mission. In that spirit, LAJF and CRS do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, nation of origin, gender, sex, or gender identity.
