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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
2025 Impact Stories
Why Give?
Ways to Give
CRS Sustainers
Planned Giving
Matching Gifts
Donate
December 22, 2025
Emily Barnard
Why I Give Back to CRS - A Letter from Evan ...

CRS alum and LAJF Board Member, Evan Schwartz, shares why Camp Rising Sun has remained such a meaningful part of his life, and why he continues to give back, year after year.

Click to read his personal year-end note and gift match announcement! Please consider making a gift to LAJF and Camp Rising Sun before 2025 ends. Go to lajf.org/donate to give now.

Why I Give Back to CRS - A Letter from Evan Schwartz
December 16, 2025
Emily Barnard
Be the Roots that Support Ethical Leaders - ...

LAJF and Camp Rising Sun are fortified by strong roots that stretch back 95 years. What began as a summer camp in 1930, is now a global movement that has grown generations of ethical leaders. Click to read the full end of year letter from our Executive Director, Barry Fulton.

Be the Roots that Support Ethical Leaders - Letter from Executive Director, Barry Fulton
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
Emily Barnard
May 20, 2024

Alumni Weekend 2024

Emily Barnard
May 20, 2024
Alumni Weekend 2024

What an incredible Alumni Weekend of Community + Connection at Camp Rising Sun! Thank you to everyone who traveled back to CRS to join us. Click for photos!

Emily Barnard
May 17, 2024

Homestays 2024—Host a Camper!

Emily Barnard
May 17, 2024
Homestays 2024—Host a Camper!

Support CRS this summer by hosting a 2024 camper for a homestay before the sessions begin! Click to read more and contact us if you are interested!

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.

Newer Posts
Older Posts
Featured
Why I Give Back to CRS - A Letter from Evan Schwartz
Dec 22, 2025
Why I Give Back to CRS - A Letter from Evan Schwartz
Dec 22, 2025
Dec 22, 2025
Be the Roots that Support Ethical Leaders - Letter from Executive Director, Barry Fulton
Dec 16, 2025
Be the Roots that Support Ethical Leaders - Letter from Executive Director, Barry Fulton
Dec 16, 2025
Dec 16, 2025
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
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