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The Louis August Jonas Foundation

About Us
Our Mission and History
Our Staff
Board of Directors
Financial Reports
Strategic Plan
Contact Us
Work With Us
Programs
Our Programs
Camp Rising Sun
The Ethical Leadership Experience
Custom Programs for Schools & Groups
Curriculum
Apply
Apply
Apply to be a Second Year
Legacy Campers at CRS
Summer Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
Alumni
Get Involved
Our Global Community
CRS Alumni Directory
Alumni Networks
Alumni Scholarships
Alumni Opportunities
Alumni Publications
Events
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Media
Blog
Podcast
Newsletter
Why Give
Why Give?
Ways to Give
CRS Sustainers
Planned Giving
Matching Gifts
Donate
October 30, 2025
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
October 8, 2025
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
October 7, 2025
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
October 7, 2025
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
September 30, 2025
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
Emily Barnard
March 18, 2024

Winter Camp Day 2024 - A Sweet Day at CRS

Emily Barnard
March 18, 2024
Winter Camp Day 2024 - A Sweet Day at CRS

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a super sweet, maple-syrup filled day at Camp Rising Sun over the weekend! Click for photos from this year’s Winter Camp Day.

Emily Barnard
September 6, 2023

We Are All Connected - Vidita's CRS 2023 Story

Emily Barnard
September 6, 2023
We Are All Connected - Vidita's CRS 2023 Story

One of our program goals is to bridge the gap between people across cultural barriers. CRS camper Vidita learned a powerful lesson that reflects the impact of creating a feeling of interconnectedness between people.

Emily Barnard
September 6, 2023

A Place to be Genuine and Open - Aiden's CRS 2023 Story

Emily Barnard
September 6, 2023
A Place to be Genuine and Open - Aiden's CRS 2023 Story

Our hope is that campers will carry forward the lessons they learn while they are here. Aiden realized that our process of growing takes time— it doesn’t just happen overnight. It is continuous, and like a seed that we plant, it is something we will continue to nurture.

Emily Barnard
August 30, 2023

Facing My Fears - Diyora's TELE 2023 Story

Emily Barnard
August 30, 2023
Facing My Fears - Diyora's TELE 2023 Story

Before attending Camp Rising Sun’s virtual program, Diyora wanted to find a way to help develop her confidence. She was looking forward to learn new skills and to have an outlet for her newfound interests in philosophy and economics.

Helene Mattera
August 30, 2023

2023-24 GEJ Scholarship Award Winners

Helene Mattera
August 30, 2023
2023-24 GEJ Scholarship Award Winners

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2023-24 GEJ Scholarship Awards! These recent CRS alums, staff, and volunteers embody the values of leadership, excellence, and commitment to social justice across a variety of fields and disciplines. We congratulate them on their past achievements and wish them well in their future endeavors!

Helene Mattera
August 23, 2023

CRS '23 Session 2 Week 4

Helene Mattera
August 23, 2023
CRS '23 Session 2 Week 4

As Camp made its way to the end, the close relationships we had with all the people here made us realize many feelings we never knew about.

Helene Mattera
August 16, 2023

CRS '23 Session 2 Week 3

Helene Mattera
August 16, 2023
CRS '23 Session 2 Week 3

Let’s see what peoples’ first thoughts are about the nature trip without knowing anything but rumors about it. What are they excited about? What are they scared of?  What do they think is going to happen as they let their imagination run free?

Helene Mattera
August 9, 2023

CRS '23 Session 2 Week 2

Helene Mattera
August 9, 2023
CRS '23 Session 2 Week 2

Ambitious, passionate, inspired– these are the words that come to mind when describing this year’s campers.

Newer Posts
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Featured
95th Anniversary Reunion and Gala Photo Gallery
Oct 30, 2025
95th Anniversary Reunion and Gala Photo Gallery
Oct 30, 2025
Oct 30, 2025
11th Annual NYAA Picnic in Central Park
Oct 8, 2025
11th Annual NYAA Picnic in Central Park
Oct 8, 2025
Oct 8, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Liz Lee
Oct 7, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Liz Lee
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Richard Gibbs
Oct 7, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Richard Gibbs
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Jeff Orlowski-Yang
Sep 30, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Jeff Orlowski-Yang
Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
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. 

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Louis August Jonas Foundation, 6 Rising Sun Lane, Rhinebeck, NY, 12572, United States(212) 686-1930contact@lajf.org