Dear CRS Community,
For those of you who don’t already know me, my name is Barry Fulton, and I am incredibly honored to write to you today as the new Executive Director of the Louis August Jonas Foundation and Camp Rising Sun.
For me, this role is far more than just a new job. It truly feels like coming home.
My journey with Camp Rising Sun started decades ago when I first stepped onto these magical grounds as a camper in 1999. Like so many, my summers at CRS changed the course of my life. They shaped how I see the world, how I lead, and the kind of person I aspire to be.
Group photo from the 2013 CRS season–Barry's last summer serving as Camp Director.
I still remember that first summer vividly—especially the week I was chosen to lead the Dining Hall Teamwork. Our job was to set up and clean up the dining hall before and after every meal—a demanding task that had us working six times a day while other teamworks only had morning assignments. At first, I thought leadership meant giving directions and keeping things on track. But I quickly learned that the most meaningful way to lead was by jumping in, doing the work alongside my teammates, and creating a spirit of shared purpose. I discovered that when we pitched in together—not just out of obligation but with care and a little laughter—the work got done faster, and we enjoyed it more. That week taught me to value the strengths each person brings, and to see leadership not as a position, but as a practice of humility, inclusion, and collaboration. It’s a lesson I carry with me to this day.
Over the years, I’ve had the joy and privilege of serving in various leadership roles here, as a Camp Director, as a board member, and now, returning in this new capacity. Each step has only deepened my love for our mission and my belief in its power.
LAJF Board of Directors at Burger Hill at their Fall 2024 Board Retreat.
After more than twenty years in K-12 education leadership and nonprofit work, stepping into this role feels like a full-circle moment—both humbling and inspiring. It is an incredible honor to help steward a program that has transformed so many lives, including my own, and to ensure that future generations of young people have the same chance to grow into compassionate, ethical leaders who will make their local communities—and our larger global one—better places.
I’m so excited for what lies ahead, and I’d love to connect with you. If you have stories to share, ideas to discuss, or just want to say hello, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My inbox is always open.
Thank you for welcoming me back home to this incredible community. I can’t wait to see what we build together.
Warmly,
Barrington A. Fulton Jr.
Executive Director, Louis August Jonas Foundation