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Dear LAJF Community,
What a month!
Earlier this month, we had the joy of hosting the Global Alumni Assembly, an event that showcased the transformative experiences of our 2025 campers. From revitalizing the flower garden and completing legacy art projects, to engaging deeply in The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE), these young people exemplify the vision of Camp Rising Sun: leadership rooted in empathy, integrity, and global perspective. Campers shared stories of personal growth, from overcoming fear of judgment to developing new leadership skills, and alumni highlighted how these lessons continue to inspire action in their communities worldwide. Listening to them reminded me that the work of LAJF is never finished; it is carried forward in every young person who experiences our programs.
And just this past weekend, hundreds of alumni, friends, and supporters gathered at the iconic TWA Hotel to celebrate 95 years of Camp Rising Sun and the Louis August Jonas Foundation. It was a weekend filled with laughter, reflection, and deep gratitude, and it was a true reminder of the enduring magic of Camp.
From the morning Reunion sessions, where alumni reconnected through Instructions, projects, stories, and song, to the evening’s Gala, where we honored our history and looked boldly to the future, the energy was electric. The TWA Hotel proved a stunning backdrop for a night that celebrated everything that makes our community special: connection, curiosity, courage, and compassion.
In my remarks on Saturday, I reflected on something I learned as a young camper, thatleadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening deeply, making space for others to shine, and leading with humility and integrity. Those lessons, first learned around the campfire, continue to guide everything we do at LAJF today.
And this community continues to show that same spirit. Together, we celebrated 95 years of impact, more than 6,500 lives shaped by this program, and we reaffirmed our shared commitment to ensuring that Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience continue to transform young lives for generations to come.
A special thanks to our Gala and Reunion Committee, our sponsors and donors, and the LAJF staff and volunteers whose dedication made this celebration possible. We were also honored to recognize former Executive Directors Bill Dubey and Helene Mattera, whose leadership and stewardship helped sustain and strengthen Camp Rising Sun across generations. Their commitment to Freddie’s vision, and to the thousands of young people who have experienced our program, remains a guiding light for our work today. And a round of applause to Shannon Hedvat, our dynamic Emcee, whose wit and warmth kept the evening full of laughter and light.
If you joined us last weekend, thank you so much for being part of it! And if you couldn’t be there in person, please know that you were part of our thoughts and our story. The Reunion and Gala were not just a celebration of our past; they were a promise for our future.
As we look ahead, we’re continuing to build on that momentum. In the months to come, we’ll be launching a new strategic planning process to chart LAJF’s next chapter. I’ll also be hosting regional gatherings across the country and around the world — opportunities to connect, reflect, and dream together. If you’d like to help host one in your area, I’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for helping us honor 95 years of history and for standing with us as we build the next 95. The sun continues to rise because of you.
Thank you for celebrating 95 years of Camp Rising Sun!
This past weekend, we gathered at the iconic TWA Hotel to celebrate our 95th Anniversary and the global community that has made it all possible.
From alumni Instructions to heartfelt speeches, and from joyful reconnections to honoring our inspiring 2025 Gala Honorees, Bill Dubey and Helene Mattera, the weekend was a true reflection of Camp’s enduring impact.
We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who helped bring this milestone event to life: our incredible staff and volunteers, presenters and facilitators, our Gala and Reunion Committee members, and all of our generous sponsors.
Didn’t make it in person, or want to relive the memories?
If you would still like to make a gift to honor the 95th Anniversary Celebration, please go to lajf.org/donate to give!
CRS Summer 2026 Apps Open November 15!
Plans for the Summer 2026 CRS season are underway!
We're excited to announce that both camper and staff applications for Camp Rising Sun will open on November 15!
If you or a young person in your life would love to spend the summer exploring new ideas, meeting friends from around the world, and discovering what it means to be a leader—get ready to apply. CRS is more than just a camp, it’s an experience that can change lives.
Mark your calendars and share this announcement widely with your networks. You can sign up for updates about the application by going to lajf.org/appupdates. And learn more about application requirements on our website at lajf.org/apply.
We have openings in two of our volunteer-led committees: the Program and Communications Committees.
If you're looking for a way to make an impact at LAJF and to support both our CRS and TELE programs, here's your opportunity! Read more below about each committee and apply accordingly.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
CRS and TELE alums are invited to apply to join the Program Committee—a volunteer advisory group that helps shape the design and direction of our programs.
This year’s committee will work closely with LAJF staff to advance four key projects: 1)Safeguarding 15–17-year-olds in our alumni community; 2) Supporting campers and staff from conflict zones; 3) Ten-year review of the 4-week Camp Rising Sun program; 4) Visit Team coordination and feedback.
Applications for the Program Committee will close on November 3.
Join the Communications Committee if you are interested in serving as a strategic and advisory partner to LAJF staff on all matters related to communications. The Committee will help guide our communications strategy and messaging across various platforms.
We'd love to hear from you if you have professional or personal experience/expertise in communications, social media, PR, or related fields!
Applications for the Communications Committee will be open until the end of November.
Please reach out to us at alumni@lajf.org with your interest.
Welcome to Cameron's Corner!
This month, we’re introducing “Cameron’s Corner”—a space to showcase the exceptional contributions of our Facilities Manager, Cameron Rylance, and Assistant Facilities Manager, Dalton Melious, and their year-round work maintaining our campuses.
Cameron’s extensive 19-year tenure has made him one of LAJF’s longest running employees. Throughout his career, his passion for his role, for Camp, and for the generations of campers he has worked with, has only deepened. Every summer, he takes great pride in partnering on projects around campus with each group of campers, all of whom leave a lasting impression on him.
Many of you may have seen Dalton around campus in recent years, another integral member of our team! His family lives down the road from Clinton, and he has been working alongside Cameron for several years. Currently, he is a junior at SUNY New Paltz, pursuing an engineering degree. He uses his carpentry and mechanical skills to support Cameron in keeping both Clinton and Red Hook ready to welcome campers.
It Will Always Be Tent Hill
Cameron’s Corner kicks off with exciting and bittersweet news from Tent Hill.
Since 1930, the iconic canvas tents on Tent Hill have housed CRS campers. But in or around 2018, it was becoming difficult to replace the tents that were aging out. Canvas was hard to find and expensive. Cameron suggested replacing the tents with wooden lean-tos. The structures, which are relatively inexpensive to build, would last a lot longer than the tents, would provide better ventilation for hot summer days, the sleeping cots were more comfortable, and they would be safer structures in storms. Camp management was skeptical but told Cameron to build one lean-to as a test to see how the campers reacted. The reaction was nothing but enthusiastic. During the ensuing years, and with the help of many alumni and neighbor volunteers, Cameron and Dalton have gradually replaced tents with lean-tos, building one to three lean-tos each year. By 2025, lean-tos now sit on top of all but one of the tent platforms on Tent Hill.
“We did it out of necessity, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because they are safer and, most importantly, everyone loves them.”
In spring 2026, the very last tent on Tent Hill will become a lean-to. But, fear not, Cameron has safely stored two tents so that, when the occasion comes, they can rise again on Tent Hill.
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