Vision Statement for Summer 2025
By Nicholas Basalyga and Hrafnhildur Jóakimsdóttir, Camp Co-Directors
To our global Camp Rising Sun community:
As we prepare for Summer 2025, we step into this season with hearts full of hope and a profound sense of purpose—grounded in a legacy that spans nearly a century and driven by a shared commitment to growth, connection, and leadership.
We acknowledge that we are living through times of conflict, division, and turmoil around the world, and for teenagers, the choice to leave home, step into something new, and open themselves up to growth in a community setting is no small thing. It’s brave—more than we sometimes realize—and we truly respect and admire the courage it takes!
This camp is built on a rich 95-year legacy that we deeply honor. It’s a place where, for nearly a century, campers have been empowered to express their most authentic selves, step outside their comfort zones, and lead with integrity and compassion—fostering an appreciation for both diversity and our shared humanity, expanding their intellectual and artistic horizons, developing leadership skills and self-reliance in a supportive environment, and embracing a philosophy of living that serves society through humanitarian values. Our commitment to this legacy fuels everything we do as we strive to provide an environment where growth and learning are intertwined with fun and friendship.
We’re incredibly proud of the team we’ve brought together this year! Just like our campers, our staff members come from around the globe and are each committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our team features talented educators, artists, and mentors from diverse backgrounds — including journalism, scientific research, and global development — all eager to guide, inspire, and nurture the community’s well-being and leadership.
At CRS, we explore leadership through many different lenses. We encourage campers to ask themselves, what does the community need and how can I contribute? Whether being there for someone going through a tough time, celebrating a shared achievement, contributing to daily tasks, or sharing skills and passions, campers are guided to step outside their comfort zones and lead by example. Organizing events, having meaningful discussions, performing at variety shows, and trying new things for the first time are all ways we practice leadership. It’s through mindfulness, growth mindset, and active self-reflection that meaningful life lessons unfold and how we transform the ordinary into something extraordinary!
We want you to know that we care deeply about each person’s well-being, not just for the summer but for the path they walk beyond these woods. Camp is more than an experience; it’s a community that embraces every individual's unique presence and perspectives, fostering a lifelong commitment to compassionate and ethical leadership, and we don’t take that lightly.
We trust that this year’s campers and counselors will create something truly special—something that will inspire and empower us all. We believe its ripple effects will extend into their communities, fostering kindness and change for years to come!
Here is a little bit about us:
Hrafnhildur, known as Raven at CRS, is a leisure educator from Iceland who has been working in transformational education since 2016. She first learned about CRS as a child when her older sister attended camp. Raven became a counselor in 2018 and has been an active member of the community ever since. She has experience with humanitarian youth programs, leadership development, and community building. This spring, she became a certified mountaineering guide, further deepening her love for nature and adventure.
Nick joined LAJF in May 2024, bringing a dedicated passion for supporting others. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and has been working in various clinical roles, focusing on mental health and well-being since 2012. Nick has experience in program development and youth engagement in both NYC and Philadelphia. Outside of his professional life, Nick enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and exploring the enriching aspects of life, such as books, art, music, good food, nature, and staying active.
This is our second summer co-directing CRS together and we are so excited about the upcoming season and feel privileged to be part of this epic experience with all of you. Here’s to a summer overflowing with growth, connection, and moments that will shape who we are and stay with us forever.
Thank you to LAJF for making this camp possible and for trusting us to guide this incredible community. To all the families of our incoming campers, we’re honored by your trust and promise to provide our best support and care for each camper. And to our campers and staff — we can’t wait to see you and discover what this summer has in store for us!
Sincerely,
Raven & Nick