Dear Ryan,

It was another summer for the books here at Camp Rising Sun! As Program Director, I am filled with pride and joy reflecting on the experiences shared by both sessions of in-person CRS campers and our online TELE cohort.

Though the summer has officially come to an end, the memories made and lessons learned will continue to resonate in the hearts of our campers. I think I speak for all of our Summer Staff when I say how incredibly proud we are of these caring, thoughtful, creative, and innovative young leaders who embraced every challenge, supported each other, and deeply embodied the values of CRS.

The end of the summer is always bittersweet, as campers go their separate ways on planes, trains, and automobiles that spread out across the world. While it is hard to say goodbye, the silver lining is that we get to welcome more inspiring young people into our global community of alumni. We look forward to watching these new alumni lead with compassion and integrity in their hometowns and beyond.

I also want to thank everyone who made this season possible—our dedicated and passionate Summer Staff team, our volunteers and board members, all of the host families who welcomed participants before sessions, committee members, alumni associations, parents and families, and neighbors and community members! As we've said before—it takes a village—and the past few months have been a true testament to this. We appreciate all of you, who make the magic of Camp Rising Sun happen each year.

Thank you, as always, for being here and supporting the growth of the remarkable young leaders who come through our doors. Together, we continue to build a brighter future, one compassionate leader at a time.

Sincerely,

Elyem Chej, Director of Programs

CRS SESSION II PHOTO GALLERY

Want to feel as if you were a part of our Boys/Non-Binary CRS session? Check out the photo gallery and experience all of the fun—days on the lake, hiking and sleeping in tents, creative expression at the Variety Show, group hugs, and so much more. Visit our blog to see more!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GEJ SCHOLARS!

We want to extend a big congratulations to the five recipients of the 2024-2025 GEJ Scholarships: Wassa Bagayoko ('14), Lauren Froelich ('14), Elizabeth Liang Hudak ('18, '19, '22, '23), Isabella Marker ('19) - Pete Seeger Scholar, and Mira Wagabaza ('22) - John Litsios Scholar!

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. Each recipient is currently pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in the U.S. We congratulate them on all of their achievements thus far, and look forward to seeing all of the incredible work they continue to do. Please go to our blog to read more about each alum. 

“This scholarship is a constant reminder of the community CRS builds and reminds me of our interconnectedness and support even long after we have left Camp. It also reinforces the circular nature of mentorship and support that I feel a responsibility to continue.”  - Mira W.

HELP US REACH OUR $150K FUNDRAISING GOAL

Since our first summer in 1930, it has been a part of our ethos that no camper is turned away due to an inability to pay. Your donation today will provide essential financial support to campers in the form of scholarships and travel stipends. You can be a part of a young person’s journey to discovering their potential.

Help us reach our $150,000 fundraising goal before September 30th! Your gift directly supports Camp Rising Sun participants as they develop the skills and confidence they need to return to their communities and bring their ideas to life—all with compassionate leadership as a foundation.

Thank you for believing in the vital work that we do at Camp Rising Sun. Your donation makes a tangible difference for these future leaders and the world. 

CRS ALUMNI: SUBMIT YOUR BEINGS & DOINGS

There is still time to submit your Beings & Doings for the upcoming issue of The Sundial—our alumni magazine. Let the community know what you've been up to! Did you recently get married, welcome a new family member, move across the world, start your dream job? Have you been in touch with other alums or have you been living the mission in meaningful ways? We want to know! Log into the online Alumni Directory and submit yours along with any photos you wish to share to have yours included in the magazine.