Where Our Campers Come From — And Who We Miss This Year
A Letter from Elyem Chej, LAJF Director of Programs
Each summer at Camp Rising Sun is a reminder of what’s possible when young people from around the world come together to grow, lead, and connect. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome an incredible and diverse group of campers—from places such as Thailand, Iowa, France, Moldova, Finland, Cameroon, and Japan—as we celebrate our 95th summer of Camp Rising Sun. Our summer staff have been working hard since early June to create a transformative experience and this summer is already shaping up to be a great one. But we’re also reckoning with who isn’t here and why.
We are missing campers from Greenland, after their selection committee and families concluded that political tensions with the U.S. were too high to make participation feasible. Campers from Liberia, Brazil, South Africa, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan were denied visas, often on the grounds of not proving sufficient ties to their home countries—despite living with their families and attending school there.
Despite enormous efforts by our Palestinian selectors, Israeli alumni, and other volunteers, our selected campers from Palestine were unable to join us. Though they secured U.S. visa interview appointments in Tel Aviv, they could not obtain the permits required to leave the West Bank. Even if visas had been issued, additional permits would have been needed to exit via Jordan. Our Israeli campers also faced significant obstacles but were thankfully able to join us in the end. With Israeli airspace closed, they traveled by sea to Cyprus, then flew to London and finally to New York.
We were also fortunate that most of our international summer staff received their J-1 visas before sudden changes in U.S. policy took effect this spring. In late May, the State Department paused visa appointments worldwide to implement new social media screening. Although one of our staff members was ultimately denied a visa, the majority secured theirs just in time. The experience was a stark reminder of how quickly immigration policy can shift—and how critical timely support, preparation, and advocacy are.
Neither campers nor staff come to CRS as representatives of their governments, but they do bring the fullness of their lived experiences. When shared in an environment of trust and curiosity, those experiences become the foundation for transformation. At a recent CRS event, Daniel Benaim—a foreign policy adviser and Middle East expert who served in the White House and State Department—spoke about how diplomacy and leadership begin with building trust. That’s what CRS has done for 95 years and will continue to do. To build that trust, we must continue working to ensure that young people most affected by global injustice have the opportunity to be here.
Despite the many obstacles, every camper and staff member who received a visa made it to Camp safely this summer. One visa rejection was even overturned. That progress was made possible by the support of a pro bono immigration attorney and other experts. We’re also deeply grateful to our host families, whose warmth and care made the first days in the U.S. welcoming and meaningful—and to our incredible network of volunteer selectors, who reviewed over 1,500 applications for CRS and nearly 500 for TELE.
Looking ahead, we’re exploring an earlier selection timeline and seeking new partnerships with immigration experts and policy advisors to reduce structural obstacles. In past years, we benefited from the insight of an alumni at the U.S. State Department—and we’ve felt the absence of that relationship since his passing.
We will also continue working to expand and diversify our camper community—both within the U.S. and abroad. This summer, we’re welcoming back campers from Latvia, Nebraska, and Peru. We’re also in conversation with selectors in Mississippi and other places for future cycles. TELE (The Ethical Leadership Experience), which begins this month, also plays a key role in welcoming youth who might otherwise be unable to participate due to travel restrictions, conflict, or financial barriers. This year’s participants include youth from Afghanistan, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, India, Egypt, Korea, Russia, Uzbekistan, Zambia, and across the U.S.
Ensuring global access to Camp Rising Sun is core to our mission: developing compassionate, responsible leaders from all backgrounds. That mission is only possible because of our extraordinary community.
If you want to help, there are four key ways to get involved:
Donate to make CRS possible! Choose a meaningful and tangible part of CRS or TELE to sponsor.
Host an international camper before CRS Session II. Fill out the interest form here.
Lend your visa or legal expertise to support future participants (contact me by email at echej@lajf.org)
Join us for our 95th Anniversary Reunion + Gala at the TWA Hotel in New York City, October 24–26, 2025. Tickets and information here.
Together, we can keep building a more connected and just world—one summer at a time.
Sincerely,
Elyem Chej
Director of Programs