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In This Issue:
Maple Syrup Day 2026
TELE Applications Are Open! Please Share.
A Few Legacy Camper Spots Remaining
Camper Hosting for Summer 2026 - Sign Up!
American Camp Association Tri-State Conference Recap
Cameron's Corner: New Lawn Mower
Upcoming Events - Lots of Opportunities to Gather!
Dear LAJF Community,
There’s something special about this time of year at Camp Rising Sun. The last chill of winter meets the first signs of spring, and Camp comes alive with one of our favorite traditions: Maple Syrup Day! This past weekend, the Clinton campus was filled with laughter, learning, and the unmistakable sweetness of community.
Guests traveled from near and far—some returning to familiar paths and cabins, eager to share and revisit their CRS stories with friends, and others experiencing Camp for the very first time. It was a joy to watch old memories rekindled and new ones take root. Many local families and neighbors joined us, bringing their children to explore the land, learn the maple sugaring process, and get a glimpse into the Rising Sun spirit.
"Cameron, Dalton and I are so fortunate to be able to enjoy the beauty of the Clinton campus all year round. We treasure Maple Syrup Day when alums, neighbors, family and friends get to join us in experiencing the wonder of Camp in the off-season." - Jill Fieldstein, LAJF Director of Operations
Throughout the day, hands were busy and hearts were full–from learning how to chop firewood or bottling syrup, to gathering over Cameron’s delicious food, Jill’s unforgettable hot chocolate, and classic campfire hot dogs. Just as meaningful were the conversations happening all around: alumni sharing stories of their summers, community members discovering our programs for the first time, and young visitors beginning to imagine themselves as future campers.
Maple Syrup Day is more than a seasonal celebration, it’s a reflection of what makes LAJF so unique. It brings together generations, bridges past and present, and opens our doors to the wider community. In a single day, it captures the essence of our mission: fostering connection, leadership, and shared understanding across backgrounds and experiences. Events like this remind us that the impact of Camp Rising Sun extends far beyond the summer months—it lives in these moments of learning, belonging, and joy.
We are grateful to everyone who attended and helped to keep this sweet tradition going strong! Special shoutout to our Operations Team—Cameron, Dalton, and Jill—for making this event possible. Head over to our blog to see a full photo gallery.
We are currently accepting and reviewing applications for the 2026 sessions of The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE). Learn more about TELE at lajf.org/virtual and apply or encourage young people in your life to apply today!
TELE is a transformative two-week online program for teens aged 15–18, bringing together a close-knit international cohort from more than 30 countries to explore ethical leadership, justice, and global citizenship in practice.
Sessions run in July and August. The program fee is $399 and need-based scholarships are available. We welcome nominations and referrals — please share with any young person in your network who might be a good fit.
What is TELE, exactly? Click the video below to hear directly from TELE alums about their experiences!
Camp Rising Sun alums have the opportunity to share their unique transformative leadership experience with their children or grandchildren through our Legacy Program. Legacy campers can join the CRS community for two to four weeks, pending availability. They take part in all Camp activities and are an important part of our community that helps to strengthen intergenerational ties!
We recommend applying before April 1st. Learn more on our website and reach out to us at programs@lajf.org with any questions!
It’s that time of year again, the hosting call has begun!
Thanks to our incredible alumni and friends last season, we were able to host 72 campers from 25 different countries across the Girls/Non-Binary and Boys/Non-Binary sessions, and we expect to host 100 campers this summer!
Hosting for Camp Rising Sun is a cherished tradition where CRS alums, as well as non-alum community members who are local to NYC, can connect with incoming campers in a meaningful experience of cultural exchange. For campers, it’s an opportunity to bond with two to three fellow campers in a warm and welcoming environment before arriving at Camp. For hosts, it’s a chance to connect with and learn from people from around the world.
It is a one to two night commitment. More information can be found on the interest form, and you can reach out to our team at cmoses@lajf.org with questions.
If you’re interested in hosting a camper or two this summer, please fill out this form and we'll be in touch!
A few members of our team—Barry, Nick, and Victoria—had the opportunity to attend the American Camp Association (ACA) Tri-State Conference this month. It was an energizing and inspiring few days, full of learning, connecting with fellow camp professionals, and exploring new ideas and opportunities for Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE). From engaging workshops to meeting new vendors and partners, it was a great reminder of how vibrant and collaborative the camp community is.
It was also a chance to spend meaningful time as a team—sharing meals, stories, and experiences, while exchanging ideas and hopes for the future of our programs. Those moments of connection were just as valuable as the sessions themselves.
The conference left everyone feeling even more excited for the summer ahead at CRS and TELE!
The ground is barely thawed – but try telling that to Cameron. He’s already fired up and ready to roll on the brand new lawn mower. "Our old mower is fifteen years old. The hydraulic system is failing and it has no suspension. With this new mower, I am thrilled that I will be riding in style and comfort this season and many seasons to come." This bright and gleaming piece of equipment was purchased by a very generous alum who has chosen to remain anonymous. We are beyond grateful for this incredibly magnanimous gift!
As for the old mower? It’s headed to Red Hook, where we have historically used an outside service to mow. Assistant Facilities Manager Dalton Melious -- much younger than his boss — will use the old mower to help keep Red Hook in shape – just with a lot less luxury in the saddle. Sorry, Dalton! 😉
Upcoming Events and Updates
The Helene Mattera Women's Brunch Saturday, April 18 | 11am-2pm | Littlefield
The Helene Mattera Women's Brunch has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 18th!We once again invite you to join us for this beloved annual tradition, or to share this invitation with the women or non-binary people in your life!
The brunch will feature an interactive workshop, Connection That Catalyzes: Women, Leadership, and the Power of Community, with our special guest, Bria Barnes-Coleman. And of course there will be plenty of time for connecting and visiting with each other. See all of the event details on our website.
Open April Board Meeting Saturday, April 11 | 9am-12pm EST | Virtual
Our community is invited to tune in to our April Board Meeting via Zoom. You can access the Zoom meeting by clicking the link below at the time of the event. The meeting will take place from 9am to 12pm EST.
Career & Community Connections: Education & Youth Development Wednesday, April 22 | 9-10:30am or 6:30-8pm EST | Virtual
Connect with fellow CRS & TELE alumni in Education & Youth Development! Whether you’re exploring your future career, just starting out, or have years of experience, join us for a relaxed, virtual gathering with small-group conversations and light facilitation.
These are Zoom sessions — drop in for a few minutes, stay the full time, or anywhere in between.
Note: This is the first in a monthly series highlighting different careers and fields of impact:
May: Social Impact & Nonprofit Work
June: Public Service & Government
September: Climate, Environment & Sustainability
Mark your calendars! We hope you’ll join one (or both!) sessions to meet peers, share experiences, and build cross-generational connections across the LAJF, CRS, and TELE communities.
DC Area Alumni Gathering Thursday, April 23 | 6pm | Upside on Moore
Join us for an informal evening of connection with fellow Rising Sun alumni in the DC area. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, meet others in the community, and spend time in conversation together.
Barry will be there and looks forward to gathering with alums!
We will meet at Upside on Moore in Rosslyn City Center (1700 N Moore St., Arlington, VA 22209)
2nd Annual LAJF LGBTQIA+ Virtual Community Gathering Wednesday, April 29 | 6:30–8pm EST | Virtual
Join LGBTQIA+ members of the LAJF community — CRS and TELE participants alike — for our second annual virtual affinity group gathering! This relaxed space is all about connection: meet fellow community members, share experiences, and strengthen our network.
No need to stay the whole time — drop in any time before 7:30pm for a few minutes or join for the full time. Small-group conversations will be facilitated in a safe and inclusive environment.
Reunion in Germany Friday, May 22 - Sunday, May 24
CRS alumni in Germany are excited to invite you to the Camp Rising Sun Reunion in Germany!
Dates: Friday, 22 May – Sunday, 24 May Location: Erkrath, near Düsseldorf (just 10 minutes by train)
We’ll gather in a charming private forest – affectionately called our “Wäldchen” – complete with a lean-to and a cozy fireplace. This spot hosted an amazing reunion back in 2022, and we can’t wait to bring back the magic! 🌲🔥🎶🎸🍔
What to bring: Tent and sleeping bag, your Camp spirit and good vibes
Let’s enjoy the outdoors, companionship, music and laughter
Mark your calendars and contact Doro (CRS Clinton ‘00, Stendis ‘01, Red Hook ‘06) by emailing dorothee.wachsen@gmail.com, if you consider coming!
Save the Date: LAJF LGBTQIA+ Pride Event Saturday, June 13 | 1-4pm | Location TBD
Join us in celebrating Pride! The LAJF LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group is hosting an in-person gathering in NYC on Saturday, June 13, 1–4 p.m. ET (location TBD). This event is open to allies, so friends, colleagues, and supporters are welcome to participate. More details will be shared soon — for now, mark your calendars for a fun, community-centered afternoon!
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