Emily Barnard
95th Anniversary Reunion and Gala Photo Gallery

Thank you for celebrating 95 Years of Camp Rising Sun! From October 24-26, 2025, we gathered at the iconic TWA Hotel to celebrate 95 years of Camp Rising Sun—and the global community that has made it all possible. Click to view photo highlights from the weekend celebration!

95th Anniversary Reunion and Gala Photo Gallery
Emily Barnard
11th Annual NYAA Picnic in Central Park

This year was the 11th Annual CRS NYAA Picnic in Central Park! Thank you to the New York Alumni Association for hosting and for everyone who joined us. Click the post to check out photos from the event.

11th Annual NYAA Picnic in Central Park
Emily Barnard
95 Years of Impact: Liz Lee

Since 1930, LAJF and our programs, Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience, have shaped the lives of more than 6,500 alumni from dozens of countries around the world. Across generations and continents, CRS and TELE alumni continue to lead with empathy, curiosity, and courage—bringing Rising Sun values into classrooms, courtrooms, creative industries, clinics, and communities. As we celebrate 95 years of impact, we’re spotlighting just a few of the many stories that show how a summer at Camp becomes a lifetime of meaning.

Here’s Liz Lee’s story—current Minnesota state representative of St. Paul’s Eastside district—who attended Camp Rising Sun in 2004.

95 Years of Impact: Liz Lee
Emily Barnard
95 Years of Impact: Richard Gibbs

Since 1930, LAJF and our programs, Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience, have shaped the lives of more than 6,500 alumni from dozens of countries around the world. Across generations and continents, CRS and TELE alumni continue to lead with empathy, curiosity, and courage—bringing Rising Sun values into classrooms, courtrooms, creative industries, clinics, and communities. As we celebrate 95 years of impact, we’re spotlighting just a few of the many stories that show how a summer at Camp becomes a lifetime of meaning.

Here’s Richard Gibbs’ story—a 1963 CRS alum, ballet dancer, and founder of the San Francisco Free Clinic.

95 Years of Impact: Richard Gibbs
Emily Barnard
95 Years of Impact: Jeff Orlowski-Yang

Since 1930, LAJF and our programs, Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience, have shaped the lives of more than 6,500 alumni from dozens of countries around the world. Across generations and continents, CRS and TELE alumni continue to lead with empathy, curiosity, and courage—bringing Rising Sun values into classrooms, courtrooms, creative industries, clinics, and communities. As we celebrate 95 years of impact, we’re spotlighting just a few of the many stories that show how a summer at Camp becomes a lifetime of meaning.

Here’s Jeff Orlowski-Yang’s story—an Emmy Award–Winning filmmaker and environmental advocate—who attended Camp Rising Sun in 1999 and 2000.

95 Years of Impact: Jeff Orlowski-Yang

“Some thoughts on the History of CRS”: Rick Richter turns 90

As he will remind you if you speak about the age of Camp Rising Sun, Rick Richter is the same age as Camp. As we are celebrating our 90th Anniversary this year, Rick Richter celebrates his 90th birthday. Rick has asked anyone who wishes to celebrate his 90th birthday by supporting CRS with a donation. To find Rick’s campaign, go to our website here.

Applications now open for the GEJ Scholarship for alumni in higher education 

Applications now open for the GEJ Scholarship for alumni in higher education 

Applications for the scholarship are now open and will close on June 15th. The scholarship is available for all alumni of Camp Rising Sun, including former summer staff pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. The selection committee values intellectual ability, character and future promise of fostering the values of Camp Rising Sun. In the past, scholarship awards have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000.

Update from the Strategic Planning Committee, April 2020

The 5-year strategic plan was adopted by the Board of Directors in the fall of 2016. The plan describes the primary objectives, ways, and means for the development of the Louis August Jonas foundation for the fiscal years 2017-2021.

To review the plan in its entirety, see: www.lajf.org/ strategic-plan

Executive Summary of Update

  • Data from the five years of operating 4-week camp seasons, since 2015, indicate that the quality of the program has been maintained, compared to 7 weeks.

  • Budget and expenses are stable. Fundraising will need to increase 20% to result in sustainable annual portfolio withdrawals.

  • Given the current level of fundraising, it is unrealistic to expect to raise funds at a level that would allow for the reopening of the Red Hook campus.

  • We continue to own and to maintain the Red Hook property, using it for camper activities in the summer, and for hosting alumni events.

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.