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The Louis August Jonas Foundation

About Us
Our Mission and History
Our Staff
Board of Directors
Financial Reports
Strategic Plan
Contact Us
Work With Us
Programs
Our Programs
Camp Rising Sun
The Ethical Leadership Experience
Curriculum
Apply
Apply
Apply to be a Second Year
Legacy Campers at CRS
Summer Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
Alumni
Get Involved
Our Global Community
CRS Alumni Directory
Alumni Networks
Alumni Scholarships
Alumni Opportunities
Alumni Publications
Events
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Media
Blog
Podcast
Newsletter
Why Give
Give to Summer 2026
Why Give?
Ways to Give
CRS Sustainers
Planned Giving
Matching Gifts
Donate
June 24, 2026
Emily Barnard
A Closer Look at Summer Staff Training 2026

We have an incredible team of summer staff who build the foundation for the life-changing experiences our campers have each year! For two weeks before the season starts, the team goes through a Staff Training that deepens their understanding of Camp and lays the groundwork for the weeks to come. Click to learn more and see a photo gallery from the training.

A Closer Look at Summer Staff Training 2026
June 24, 2026
Emily Barnard
Announcing Our New Director of Programs: Jenn ...

Announcing our new Director of Programs, Jenn Zanger! Read on for a welcome letter from our Executive Director, Barry Fulton, and from Jenn herself.

June 24, 2026
Emily Barnard
"Courage is Contagious" — A Letter from CRS ...

“Camp Rising Sun, with its more than 95-year legacy, is built on courage. It takes courage to set up a place that receives 120 campers from all over the world every year on a need-blind scholarship. It takes courage for every camper, from 1930 to 2026, to pack their bags and leave their home for the unknown. It takes courage to invite hope and profound sense of purpose into one’s heart, and to open up in a multicultural community. It takes courage to work through conflict when it occurs, and to grow exponentially as a young leader.” Click to read the full letter from CRS Camp Director, Sonia Wargacka.

"Courage is Contagious" — A Letter from CRS Camp Director, Sonia Wargacka
June 17, 2026
Emily Barnard
LAJF Pride Event 2026: For All of Us

What an incredible event celebrating Pride with the LAJF community! Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to making this gathering such a huge success. Please click to see a photo gallery from the event.

LAJF Pride Event 2026: For All of Us
May 12, 2026
Emily Barnard
A Farewell Letter from Elyem

Please click to read a letter of farewell from LAJF’s Director of Programs, Elyem Chej.

A Farewell Letter from Elyem
Guest User
January 18, 2019
Alumni Spotlight, Friday Blog Post, From the Staff

Freddie's Matchbook Trail

Guest User
January 18, 2019
Alumni Spotlight, Friday Blog Post, From the Staff
Freddie's Matchbook Trail

Camp Rising Sun sometimes becomes not just one camper’s experience, but a tradition of passing on the lessons, joy, experiences, and sometimes memorabilia from Camp. CRS is happy to hold such a place in families through generations.

Tagged: Alumni Beings & Doings, Camper for Life

Guest User
January 11, 2019
Alumni Spotlight, Friday Blog Post

Living the Mission- Foo Guey from the Bronx

Guest User
January 11, 2019
Alumni Spotlight, Friday Blog Post
Living the Mission- Foo Guey from the Bronx

LAJF and Camp Rising Sun are highlighting the impact of Camp on the lives of our alumni. We are excited to feature Foo Guey (‘55, ‘56) from New York.

Tagged: Alumni Beings & Doings, Camper for Life

Helene Mattera
January 4, 2019

Claire De La Roche, ‘18 reflects on her experience of Camp Rising Sun.

Helene Mattera
January 4, 2019
Claire De La Roche, ‘18 reflects on her experience of Camp Rising Sun.

Claire De La Roche, ‘18 reflects on her experience of Camp Rising Sun. “It’s one thing to read about other countries, but it’s another to be in the presence of people who tell you first-person stories of what life is like in other places.”


Guest User
December 28, 2018
Friday Blog Post, Alumni Opportunities, Camper for Life

Fall Webinar Series

Guest User
December 28, 2018
Friday Blog Post, Alumni Opportunities, Camper for Life
Fall Webinar Series

Learn about LAJF’s Fall Webinar Series. This series was designed to help campers put our leadership philosophy into action.

Tagged: Alumni Opportunities, College Network, Engagement Opportunity

Guest User
December 21, 2018
Alumni Spotlight, Friday Blog Post

Living the Mission- Olivia from Colorado

Guest User
December 21, 2018
Alumni Spotlight, Friday Blog Post
Living the Mission- Olivia from Colorado

LAJF and Camp Rising Sun are highlighting the impact of Camp on the lives of our alumni. We are excited to feature Olivia (‘14, ‘15, ‘18) from Colorado. In her own words, this is how Camp has impacted her life thus far.

Tagged: Alumni Beings & Doings, Camper for Life

Guest User
December 14, 2018
From the Staff, Friday Blog Post

October Board Meeting

Guest User
December 14, 2018
From the Staff, Friday Blog Post
October Board Meeting

The Louis August Jonas Foundation’s October board meeting focused on fundraising accomplishments and strategy.

Tagged: Board Meeting, Board of Directors

Guest User
December 7, 2018
From the Staff, Committee Spotlight, Friday Blog Post

Strategic Plan Update

Guest User
December 7, 2018
From the Staff, Committee Spotlight, Friday Blog Post
Strategic Plan Update

Read about LAJF’s Strategic Plan and about how LAJF is progressing to meet our goals.

Tagged: Committee Spotlight

Guest User
November 30, 2018
Friday Blog Post, Alumni Spotlight

Rick Richter's Letter to Alumni/ae

Guest User
November 30, 2018
Friday Blog Post, Alumni Spotlight
Rick Richter's Letter to Alumni/ae

Read Rick Richter’s annual letter to all about the CRS 2018 season.

Tagged: Letter to CRS, Rick Richter

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Featured
A Closer Look at Summer Staff Training 2026
June 24, 2026
A Closer Look at Summer Staff Training 2026
June 24, 2026
June 24, 2026
Welcome Jenn Zanger-1.png
June 24, 2026
Announcing Our New Director of Programs: Jenn Zanger
June 24, 2026
June 24, 2026
"Courage is Contagious" — A Letter from CRS Camp Director, Sonia Wargacka
June 24, 2026
"Courage is Contagious" — A Letter from CRS Camp Director, Sonia Wargacka
June 24, 2026
June 24, 2026
LAJF Pride Event 2026: For All of Us
June 17, 2026
LAJF Pride Event 2026: For All of Us
June 17, 2026
June 17, 2026
A Farewell Letter from Elyem
May 12, 2026
A Farewell Letter from Elyem
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
CRS Alumni Directory

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. 

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Louis August Jonas Foundation, 6 Rising Sun Lane, Rhinebeck, NY, 12572, United States(212) 686-1930contact@lajf.org