This summer, LAJF Director of Programs, Janessa Schilmoeller (‘05, ‘06, ‘10, ‘11, ‘16, ‘17) was published in the American Camping Association (ACA) publication Camping Magazine. The article, Social Justice Series: Recognizing Microaggressions at Camp, is part of Camping Magazine’s social justice series. Janessa writes about ongoing efforts to hire a diverse staff that is reflective of the cultural diversity of our camper body, and the importance of cultural sensitivity training for staff of all different backgrounds.
CRS Program Highlight: Arts and Music
Today, in the final post of the CRS-Program Area Highlight series, we hear from Eva Stylianou and Sofia Logan, former CRS Art and Music Counselors. Creative expression is an integral part of the CRS experience, and providing a space for campers to engage in the arts and music, provides campers the opportunity to “explore music and dance as tools for social change, telling different cultural stories through artistic expression.”
Season's Greetings 2017
Executive Director, Helene Mattera (‘97, ‘98, ‘00, ‘01, ‘10, ‘11, ‘12, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17) writes to Camp Rising Sun (CRS) alumni and friends of CRS. She highlights the past year, which includes various alumni gatherings and events, one-on-one visits, and visitors to the office. She invites everyone to attend Alumni Weekend at Camp, from July 20-22, 2018.
CRS Program Highlight: Wilderness/Hiking
This week’s CRS Program Highlight comes from Amit Singh, a counselor on the 2017 Wilderness Team. He discusses how the Red Hook camping trip was created, and the lessons the campers learned. He also discusses the ongoing need for purchasing new camping equipment. “The biggest advantage of this trip was that the campers got to experience Red Hook, and it was no longer this mystical place that the counselors talked about.”
Why I Give: Stephen Hoffman
CRS Program Highlight: Instructions
This week, we learn more about Instructions time from the 2016 Instructions Counselor, Ritham Mehta (‘11, ‘14-‘16). Instructions are vital to the Rising Sun program. Instructions provide Campers an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills by teaching an instruction to their peers. It also provides alumni and friends an opportunity to engage with the campers, as they visit Camp for the day and share their professional knowledge.
CRS Program Highlight: Projects
This week, in our CRS summer staff series, we hear from Sonia Wargacka (‘10, ‘16, ‘17), the 2016-2017 Projects Counselor. Sonia discusses why she values projects, and how projects empower campers. “There is a lot to say about empowerment when we talk about hammers, table saws, construction, and painting. Enabling all of our campers to make projects happen and be the change they want to see first at Camp, and then in the world, is for me one of the most important elements of Camp Rising Sun.”
Why I Give: Alex Claycomb
This week's Why I Give features Alex Claycomb a camper from 2011. In his post, he discusses three main reasons why he gives back to LAJF/CRS, including how his first year of Camp affected him. "The camp season we experienced [in 2011] was only possible because of the continued generosity of those who came before us. That message struck me and I’ve given ever since."