CRS 2016 Has Ended

The CRS 2016 season has drawn to a close! The boys left last Friday, and the staff left today. Camp is all clean and ready for 2017.

In order to sum up the summer, I asked some campers (new alumni!) and staff to offer some quotes about the season.

“What we do here is important. In the midst of our difficulties, let’s not forget that. To teach young adults to be daring, thoughtful, and humble will never go out of fashion. It could very well be the key to a brighter future for CRS, and for everything beyond.”

— Mads Schou Nissen, Assistant Camp Director (Denmark)

“Camp was the best thing that happened in my life. I learnt so many different skills. I met my long lost sister and brothers I never knew existed! There are no words that can describe the love I have for that camp and all the people there. It was one of the hardest thing I had even done leaving that place (even worse than moving countries). But it’s never a “goodbye” only a “see you later!”.”

— Rebecca Van Der Hagen (UK)

“The summer that changed my life into something I’m proud of. Found a family that I know will always be there for me, and a family that I can’t live without!”

— Elisabeth Børresen (Denmark)

“Camp was an amazing adventure, and I’m glad to have done it with 80+ amazing people. Thank you, all!!!”

— Yajaira Rodriguez (New York)

“Camp was so beautiful. To simply put, I crossed a mountain, lit a fire, spent a night in the woods alone, slept under the stars, became families with 80+ brilliant young souls and learned about love. But it goes much beyond.”

— Yanxi "Rosemary" Chen (China)

“Camp became my home. It was an adventure that helped me become stronger and not be afraid to stand up for what I believe in. I learned so much. It’s a place where I found a family. It’s a place full of memories that I will forever cherish.”

— Ariana Berumen (California)

“In the beginning and before Camp I didn’t understand why people said it was amazing but after a month I realised what they meant and I made over 50 brothers and sisters from all over the world. Camp makes you open your heart and mind so people aren’t so judgmental and make everyone feel closer to each other, beyond their differences.”

— Emil Dzhangozov (New York)

“It was much more above expectations, my opinion about camp before attending was proven wrong 73 times in a row.”

— Mulham Najajreh (Palestine)

“When I was selected to Camp Rising Sun I thought it would be my best summer ever. I was right. I loved every moment of camp and loved all the people there. I wish I could live that moments again and again. But this camp is not just about the 4 weeks, it was the beginning of something… something bigger…”

— Bálint Hederics (Hungary)

Thanks to all the campers and staff for an amazing CRS summer! We hope you've enjoyed staying up to date with what's going on with camp. If you'd like to help make next summer a reality, click the donate link in the menu bar and give generously to CRS 2017!

Boys' Week 2: Hiking, Cooking, and Poetry

Week Two of the boys' session has ended! The first hike has returned, and the campers are all enjoying their time back together.

They're working hard on projects - painting almost every square inch of campus and renovating cabins to make them better places to spend time.

Instructions this past week included An Introduction to Human Rights, Chinese Language and Writing, Yoga, and Slam Poetry. The instructions for next week are included below!

Check out photos from the entire summer here! Updated every Friday.

Boys' Week 1: Sachems, Singing, and Soccer

The boys have been here for a week! Tomorrow marks the first day of first-year community leaders.

Campers have wasted no time at sinking their teeth into the CRS program. Already, over 30 first-year instruction proposals have been submitted, with more to come. A project to build new soccer/football goals has already been completed, and campers have ambitious plans for the others. Evening programs have been a success - in addition to the traditional Council campfire, the second-years organized a game of camp-based Jeopardy, and counselors conducted a program about Game Theory using Oreos.

Things at camp are settling into a familiar rhythm, punctuated only by loud bouts of hysterical laughter, fervently competitive games of three-on-three basketball, and inclusive musical jam sessions. The boys are beginning to discover that camp can be like a second home to them.

The next few weeks will be full of challenges and new experiences as the first-years adjust to their new roles as community leaders and participate in hiking trips. They are more than up to the challenge, and continue to surprise the staff every day with their ingenuity, enthusiasm, and earnestness.

Check out photos from the entire summer here! Updated every Friday.

Girls' Session Ends and Alumni Reunion

The girls finished their last week of camp last Friday! Parents visited for the last day and were able to see what their daughters had accomplished. There were a lot of hugs, smiles, and tears, and the girls departed camp right after lunch.

Over 60 Camp Rising Sun alumni joined us on July 22-24. We were lucky to have campers for life expanding many generations, from 1960s to this very 2016 season. They came from different states and countries in the true spirit of Camp Rising Sun. Alumni agreed that in times of global political unrest, Camp Rising Sun is a refuge through which we contribute to making the world a more understanding, connected and better place. 

The weekend was full of activities. We mingled on Friday, played board games and watchedJeff Orlowski's Frame by Frame film about photographers in Afghanistan. 

We also had teamworks, and alumni reminisced and sang songs while clearing up tables and cleaning dishes! 

Saturday started with a delicious breakfast followed by the Board Meeting. As all Board Meetings, it was open to the public and we had a room full of alumni listening and asking questions. 

There was also time to enjoy the swimming pool! After lunch, alumni taught instructions which was followed by a visit to Red Hook guided by the Buildings and Grounds Comm. members. 

Saturday finished with Council, in which alumni and the current leadership of LAJF shared their love for Camp Rising Sun. The speakers shared their stories about staying connected to Camp Rising Sun and the importance a home like ours existing as an antidote to the negative events that are currently taking place worldwide.

On Sunday, recent campers, current staff and Committee members held a panel discussion about sustainability and our current Camp Rising Sun program. It was a very fruitful and interesting discussion. 

At lunch, we celebrated the volunteers that make our community thrive, honoring Tim Conners as Volunteer of the Year for all the work he does. The weekend finished with a trip to Holy Cow! 

Alumni from the 1940's also wanted to join in the celebration despite not being able to join us in person, Doug Blue and John Rosenberg met and this is the message they want to share with our community: 

 Greetings to the alumni and campers

 from John Rosenberg ( '45 - '46) and Doug Blue ( '43 -'46)

  God love you,

  Success to the 2nd Camp season

Don't miss future events! Stay tuned and join us for more opportunities to reconnect! 

Girls' Week 3: Art, Music, and Dance

The second group of hikes returned today! They just spent three days and two nights backpacking through the Catskill Mountains.

Instructions this week (given by campers and counselors) included French Language and Culture, Land Art with Natural Materials, The Wheel of Social Change, Stargazing, Hip Hop Dancing, and How to Win Games with Math.

Evening programs this week included a camper-created Capture the Flag game, a scavenger hunt, and a camper-run "Town-hall" meeting.

As the campers wrap up their final week of camp, they will continue to give instructions, create projects, and run each day with enthusiasm.

Don't forget - this summer's alumni reunion is RIGHT around the corner! Starting on Friday, July 22nd, and ending on Sunday, July 24th, the reunion will give alumni the opportunity to connect, reconnect, spend time with old friends, and make new ones. There is a 20% discount for all committee members and a 50% discount for all students (high school and college)! Please email alumnireunion@lajf.org for more information, and register here!