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In This Issue:
"Courage is Contagious" - A Letter from Camp Director, Sonia Wargacka
Announcing Jenn Zanger as Director of Programs
Staff Training: Shaping the Summer Community
In Need of Camper Host Volunteers
Support the Recent Campers' Fundraiser
Full of PRIDE
Now Open! GEJ Scholarship Application
The Town of Red Hook Rents LAJF's Pool at Red Hook Campus
In Memoriam
Dear Campers, Alumni, Parents and anyone else who encountered Camp Rising Sun in their life one way or another,
The summer is here. As you read this, there are 30 staff members from all over the world learning all about adolescent development, Camp traditions, safety procedures and energizers. And on Sunday, the first cohort of campers will arrive at Clinton! I imagine many of them are scanning our Instagram and YouTube channel, trying to predict what this summer’s adventure will be for them, based on the videos and photos they see. The second year campers are preparing to be the guides through this adventure. The parents are very excited for their kids to have four weeks off their phones, and very curious as to what else this camp will bring into their lives.
Camp Rising Sun, with its more than 95-year legacy, is built on courage. It takes courage to set up a place that receives 120 campers from all over the world every year on a need-blind scholarship. It takes courage for every camper, from 1930 to 2026, to pack their bags and leave their home for the unknown. It takes courage to invite hope and profound sense of purpose into one’s heart, and to open up in a multicultural community. It takes courage to work through conflict when it occurs, and to grow exponentially as a young leader.
The most magical thing about Camp Rising Sun is that measuring its impact is a tricky thing, for we all are a constant work in progress. Some of my closest friends among the alumni circle told me they didn’t realize until years later how much of an impact it had on them, and then one day it clicked. Some notice the difference immediately. For a lot of the alumni, this is a fluid situation that changes as they go through late teens, early adulthood, and then their adult years.
And while the impact of Camp Rising Sun can never be fully measured, I know one thing for sure: courage is contagious.
Every person connected to this community shares a version of the same story. At some point, we heard about Camp Rising Sun and chose to step into the unknown. We boarded the plane, sent our kids off, packed the bag, entered the conversation, joined the circle, or took on the responsibility.
More than 95 years later, that simple act of courage continues to ripple outward through every summer and every generation.
So here’s to courage: may we continue to borrow it from one another, and pass it on to those who come next.
Warmly, Sonia Wargacka Camp Director, Camp Rising Sun
Announcing Our New Director of Programs: Jenn Zanger!
We're delighted to welcome Jenn Zanger as LAJF's new Director of Programs! She brings more than three decades of leadership experience in youth development, experiential education, nonprofit management, staff leadership, and community-centered program design. Most recently, Jenn served in senior leadership roles at Ramapo for Children in Rhinebeck, NY.
"I am especially excited to join a community shaped by generations of alumni whose commitment to ethical leadership and global understanding continues long after their program experience ends.
Throughout my career, I have worked alongside young people, families, educators, and communities in schools, camps, and youth development organizations. While each experience has been different, a common thread has connected them all: a belief that young people thrive when they experience communities of deep belonging, when they are challenged to grow, and when they are given opportunities to contribute to something larger than themselves."
Read both welcome letters from Executive Director Barry Fulton and Jenn on our blog:
Shaping the Summer Community: Here's What Happens During Staff Training
Before campers arrive, there is a great deal of preparation that goes into creating the Camp Rising Sun experience. This is what happens during the two weeks of Staff Training!
From building community and developing curriculum to deepening their understanding of our educational approach and Camp traditions, this time lays the foundation for the weeks to come.
Along the way, there are Camp songs around the fire, canoeing on the lake, hikes to Burger Hill, trust-building activities, and countless conversations that help transform a group of staff members into a team.
The behind-the-scenes work of Staff Training is an essential part of what makes Camp Rising Sun possible, and we are grateful for the dedication, energy, and care this team is bringing to the season ahead.
Want to make a meaningful contribution for Camp Rising Sun this summer?
We're in need of a few more camper hosts in the NYC-area for our second session. Hosts play a vital role in the camper experience, as the first touchpoint many international campers have in the U.S. Hosts will have plenty of support from our team throughout the process to ensure it goes smoothly for all!
Session II (Boys/Nonbinary) Hosting Dates: July 29–31, 2026
Arrival: July 29 (campers arrive at varying times throughout the day)
Departure: July 31 (coach departs at 10:00 AM from the Cloisters in Manhattan)
These initial days set campers up for success and volunteer participation is a huge help to our community. We'd love to have you be a part of this annual tradition. Please email Assistant Camper Director, Chayel, with any questions—cmoses@lajf.org—and click the button below to fill out our interest form!
Support Our Recent Campers! Donate to Their Camper-Led Fundraiser:
Hello from Jihyun (TELE 25'), Luca (CRS 24', 25'), and Eva (CRS 23'): The Recent Camper Network Ambassadors Fundraising Team!
We're a group of recent campers looking to fund and support our future community.
For many campers, scholarships help us to enjoy this life changing experience.
Donating even a small gift to Camp Rising Sun means enabling deserving applicants who are in need of financial support for this experience.
Travel ✈️ 🧳 is one of the the biggest barriers for international receivers of the LAJF scholarship program.
With our fundraising campaign, we are looking to fund FIVE applicants from all around the world to take part in Camp Rising Sun this summer. With each dollar that you donate, we get one step closer to reaching our goal of $6,000 to fully fund five successful Camp applicants! Please donate now and make a lasting impact!
This year our theme for Pride was For All of Us — and our annual Pride event truly lived up to those words. Alums, allies, and friends gathered at Cork Wine Bar in New York City for a true celebration of community, connection, and belonging.
Experience the event for yourself through photos—on our blog here! If you couldn't join us in person, but still want to make a gift in honor of Pride Month and our LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group and alumni community, click below:
The application for the GEJ Scholarship for 2026-2027 is now open! Alumni of Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience (including staff members) are eligible to apply. Scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year will be awarded in August 2026 to students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university located in the United States.
Applications are due no later than August 2, 2026. Learn more about the opportunity on our website: lajf.org/gej-scholarship.
Click below to start your application, based on level of study:
The Town of Red Hook Rents LAJF's Pool at the Red Hook Campus
In May, LAJF entered into an agreement with the Town of Red Hook for the use of the pool on our Red Hook property. Starting on June 26th and through Labor Day, Red Hook residents will have free access to the pool and surrounding grounds, which have been transformed into picnic areas.
“We are delighted to partner with the Town of Red Hook on this initiative,” said Barry Fulton, LAJF Executive Director. “For nearly a century, the Red Hook community has been home to Camp Rising Sun, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share this beautiful property with local residents. This arrangement allows the Town to expand access to recreation while helping us responsibly steward a resource that has brought joy to generations of young people.”
Red Hook Supervisor Robert McKeon agrees: “We are thrilled that LAJF approached us with an offer that we could not refuse. LAJF has been enormously generous with their time and energy in helping us to achieve an important community goal of making something as healthy and enjoyable as recreational swimming available for everyone in our Town.”
LAJF looks forward to a season full of laughter and splashing and is open to extending the arrangement beyond this summer if Red Hook remains interested.
Photo: (from left) John Kuhn (Red Hook Park Facilities & Programs Director), Barry Fulton, and Robert McKeon (Red Hook Town Supervisor)
In Memoriam 🌅
This corner of our newsletter serves as a place to celebrate the lives of our alumni and friends of LAJF who have passed. We will reflect on their impact, share memories, and acknowledge the lasting light they brought to our community. The warmth of their legacy will continue to shine brightly in the lives they touched. You are welcome to reach out to us by emailing alumni@lajf.org with any questions.
Our sincere condolences go out to the families and loved ones of two CRS alums, Peter J. Costanza and David L. Landskov. Please read more below:
Peter J. Costanza | CRS Alum ('66-'67)
Peter J. Costanza passed away on June 20, 2026. He was a husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, and friend. After graduating from Yale University undergraduate and Cornell University Law school, he lived in Ithaca, New York, and later moved to the Boston area where he practiced law at Prisoners’ Legal Services (then Correctional Legal Services) for over thirty years. He worked on litigation to improve prison conditions, challenged unconstitutional solitary confinement, and fought for due process for incarcerated people.
His wife shared that Peter always spoke fondly of Camp Rising Sun and the friends he met. Please find his obituary here.
David L. Landskov | CRS Alum ('64)
Professor David L. Landskov passed away on September 1, 2024. LAJF recently learned of his passing from his family, who have thoughtfully sent the foundation photos and memorabilia from his time at Camp Rising Sun. You can find his full obituary here.
David was a loving father, father-in-law, grandfather, and dear friend. He was a retired professor from UMass Lowell, where he taught Computer Science for nearly a decade. Beyond his professional accomplishments, David was deeply committed to his community and his values. A strong advocate for climate change awareness, David maintained a blog for many years, where he passionately shared news and insights on environmental issues.
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