In This Issue:

• Letter from Barry
• Be a Camper Host for CRS Session II
• TELE 2026 Applications Closed Early
• Help Something Meaningful Take Root
• GEJ Scholarship Applications Open June 15
• Join the Governance Committee
• Upcoming Events

Dear LAJF Community,

As May comes to a close, we find ourselves in a familiar moment of transition, wrapping up the spring while preparing for another summer of Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience. Across the foundation, there is both reflection and anticipation: gratitude for the people who have shaped this community, and excitement for the young people who will soon arrive ready to build something new together.

I wanted to take a moment to thank Elyem Chej for her years of service at the foundation. Under her leadership, our programs have expanded while deepening our impact across communities and continuing to challenge young people to lead with curiosity, empathy, and integrity. Her vision and belief in our programs and participants have helped shape this community in meaningful ways, and while she will certainly be missed, I know she will remain an important part of the broader LAJF community for years to come.

Most importantly, as we inch closer to the start of the sessions, I am excited to meet the almost 250 new participants who will build community this summer through Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience. 

There is something special about this moment just before the summer begins, when participants are about to meet one another, traditions are about to begin again, and none of us yet knows exactly what this community will become together.

At the beginning of Council each Saturday night, my Camp Director, Michael Peter Borges, would begin with a phrase that stayed with me long after I left Camp: “This is a good place!” Years later, when I too had the opportunity to serve as Camp Director, I would begin Council in the very same way. As another summer begins, I find myself thinking about those words often, and feeling grateful to continue building this good place together.

Warmly,
Barry Fulton
Executive Director, LAJF

Be a Camper Host for Session II

Help campers land softly before their session. We’re still in need of camper hosts for our second session this summer. Hosting is flexible and doesn’t require a large space or extra beds. We offer a small stipend to cover items like air mattresses, cots, or sleeping bags. We also provide a hosting guide of what to expect when hosting campers to ensure your confidence in making the experience enjoyable for all. 

If you would like to support hosting in other ways, you can:

• Help with home visits to ensure host spaces are safe and comfortable

• Assist with airport pickups/drop-offs or transportation on departure day 

• Support our camper arrival NYC tour 

Boys & Nonbinary, Session II 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)

If you’re interested in hosting or volunteering, please fill out the form below and Chayel will be in touch. Thank you!

TELE 2026: 120 Participants from 45 Countries
Application Closed Early

We are excited to announce that we have filled all of our seats for this summer’s sessions of The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE)! We will welcome 120+ applicants from 45 different countries this year, and are celebrating some new program partnerships in Afghanistan, Jamaica, and Rwanda, to name a few. 

This means that we have closed TELE applications early. If you or someone you know is interested in TELE, you are invited to sign up for notifications about the 2027 applications. Click the button below.

In related news, one of our key TELE partners, Victory Afghanistan, is currently looking for volunteers. You can read more about their organization and opportunities to be involved on Idealist here.

Help Something Meaningful Take Root

The impact of Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience  extends far beyond a single summer. Each year, young people arrive at our programs and begin a journey that continues across their lives. From this shared experience, alumni branch out into the world, shaping their communities in ways both big and small, all connected by what first took root at Camp.

Your gift this spring helps sustain that full experience, both what happens during the summer and everything that grows from it. 

GEJ Scholarship Opening June 15th

The application for the GEJ Scholarship for 2026-2027 will open on June 15th. 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.

Learn more about the opportunity on our website: lajf.org/gej-scholarship. Sign up below to be notified when the applications open:

Do you want to help select the GEJ Scholarship recipients?
Please email us at business@lajf.org to let us know of your interest in joining the GEJ Scholarship Committee and helping to award scholarships to our amazing alums!

Join Our Governance Committee

We are currently seeking new members for LAJF’s Governance Committee—a group that plays a key role in supporting Board development, strengthening governance practices, and identifying Board leadership. This group reviews the foundation of the LAJF structure and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Are you passionate about shaping the future of LAJF? Come and help guide the future of our community!

Committee service is a meaningful way to contribute to LAJF’s mission and can be a pathway to Board service. Committee members typically serve three-year terms and participate in up to six meetings per year, with additional opportunities for deeper engagement.

We welcome alumni and community members with interest or experience in governance, leadership, strategy, or organizational development. To express interest or learn more, please contact Steven Yuniver by emailing syuniver@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

LAJF LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group NY Pride Gathering (Allies Welcome)
Saturday, June 13 | 1-4pm | Cork Soho, NYC
RSVP Here

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming LAJF Pride Gathering: Rooted in Community, Rising in Pride (For All of Us)—a celebration of community, connection, and Pride.

Join fellow alumni, campers, staff, and friends of Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience for an afternoon of joy, reflection, and togetherness—featuring music, light refreshments, and programming led by our LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group. All are welcome!

Career & Community Connections: Public Service & Government
Wednesday, June 17 | 9:00–10:30am or 6:30–8:00pm ET | Virtual
Register Here

Connect with fellow CRS & TELE alumni working in — or curious about — public service, policy, advocacy, diplomacy, and public leadership. Whether you’re exploring your path, early in your journey, or bringing years of experience, join us for a relaxed, virtual gathering featuring small-group conversations and light facilitation.

These Zoom sessions are designed to be flexible — drop in for a few minutes, stay for the full time, or anything in between.

This is part of our monthly Career & Community Connections series:

—September 16: Climate, Environment & Sustainability
—October 21: Law, Justice & Human Rights
—November 18: Healthcare & Public Health

We hope you’ll join one (or both!) sessions to meet peers, exchange insights, and build cross-generational connections across the LAJF, CRS, and TELE communities.

Support the next generation of campers as they begin their own journey!