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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
Helene Mattera
August 30, 2023

2023-24 GEJ Scholarship Award Winners

Helene Mattera
August 30, 2023
2023-24 GEJ Scholarship Award Winners

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!

Helene Mattera
August 23, 2023

CRS '23 Session 2 Week 4

Helene Mattera
August 23, 2023
CRS '23 Session 2 Week 4

As Camp made its way to the end, the close relationships we had with all the people here made us realize many feelings we never knew about.

Helene Mattera
August 16, 2023

CRS '23 Session 2 Week 3

Helene Mattera
August 16, 2023
CRS '23 Session 2 Week 3

Let’s see what peoples’ first thoughts are about the nature trip without knowing anything but rumors about it. What are they excited about? What are they scared of?  What do they think is going to happen as they let their imagination run free?

Helene Mattera
August 9, 2023

CRS '23 Session 2 Week 2

Helene Mattera
August 9, 2023
CRS '23 Session 2 Week 2

Ambitious, passionate, inspired– these are the words that come to mind when describing this year’s campers.

Helene Mattera
July 21, 2023

CRS 2023: Session 1 Recap

Helene Mattera
July 21, 2023
CRS 2023: Session 1 Recap

We hope you enjoy this glimpse into our unforgettable summer!

Helene Mattera
June 23, 2023

CRS 2023: Staff Training Highlight

Helene Mattera
June 23, 2023
CRS 2023: Staff Training Highlight

As the first trains and cars journeyed towards Rhinebeck in early June, the magic of a new Camp Rising Sun season was already in the air.

Guest User
March 22, 2023

CRS 2023 - Second-Year Campers

Guest User
March 22, 2023
CRS 2023 - Second-Year Campers

Second year campers share their passions and what they’re looking forward to this summer.

Guest User
December 16, 2022

Ecological reconstruction requires changing the stories our communities are built on

Guest User
December 16, 2022
Ecological reconstruction requires changing the stories our communities are built on

What does ethical leadership mean during the era of multiple ecological crises? How does the necessity of sustainability transition challenge the stories we tell about our communities’ pasts and futures? How can we envision a regenerative culture at CRS?

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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