CRS 2016 Has Ended

The CRS 2016 season has drawn to a close! The boys left last Friday, and the staff left today. Camp is all clean and ready for 2017.

In order to sum up the summer, I asked some campers (new alumni!) and staff to offer some quotes about the season.

“What we do here is important. In the midst of our difficulties, let’s not forget that. To teach young adults to be daring, thoughtful, and humble will never go out of fashion. It could very well be the key to a brighter future for CRS, and for everything beyond.”

— Mads Schou Nissen, Assistant Camp Director (Denmark)

“Camp was the best thing that happened in my life. I learnt so many different skills. I met my long lost sister and brothers I never knew existed! There are no words that can describe the love I have for that camp and all the people there. It was one of the hardest thing I had even done leaving that place (even worse than moving countries). But it’s never a “goodbye” only a “see you later!”.”

— Rebecca Van Der Hagen (UK)

“The summer that changed my life into something I’m proud of. Found a family that I know will always be there for me, and a family that I can’t live without!”

— Elisabeth Børresen (Denmark)

“Camp was an amazing adventure, and I’m glad to have done it with 80+ amazing people. Thank you, all!!!”

— Yajaira Rodriguez (New York)

“Camp was so beautiful. To simply put, I crossed a mountain, lit a fire, spent a night in the woods alone, slept under the stars, became families with 80+ brilliant young souls and learned about love. But it goes much beyond.”

— Yanxi "Rosemary" Chen (China)

“Camp became my home. It was an adventure that helped me become stronger and not be afraid to stand up for what I believe in. I learned so much. It’s a place where I found a family. It’s a place full of memories that I will forever cherish.”

— Ariana Berumen (California)

“In the beginning and before Camp I didn’t understand why people said it was amazing but after a month I realised what they meant and I made over 50 brothers and sisters from all over the world. Camp makes you open your heart and mind so people aren’t so judgmental and make everyone feel closer to each other, beyond their differences.”

— Emil Dzhangozov (New York)

“It was much more above expectations, my opinion about camp before attending was proven wrong 73 times in a row.”

— Mulham Najajreh (Palestine)

“When I was selected to Camp Rising Sun I thought it would be my best summer ever. I was right. I loved every moment of camp and loved all the people there. I wish I could live that moments again and again. But this camp is not just about the 4 weeks, it was the beginning of something… something bigger…”

— Bálint Hederics (Hungary)

Thanks to all the campers and staff for an amazing CRS summer! We hope you've enjoyed staying up to date with what's going on with camp. If you'd like to help make next summer a reality, click the donate link in the menu bar and give generously to CRS 2017!

Boys' Week 2: Hiking, Cooking, and Poetry

Week Two of the boys' session has ended! The first hike has returned, and the campers are all enjoying their time back together.

They're working hard on projects - painting almost every square inch of campus and renovating cabins to make them better places to spend time.

Instructions this past week included An Introduction to Human Rights, Chinese Language and Writing, Yoga, and Slam Poetry. The instructions for next week are included below!

Check out photos from the entire summer here! Updated every Friday.

Boys' Week 1: Sachems, Singing, and Soccer

The boys have been here for a week! Tomorrow marks the first day of first-year community leaders.

Campers have wasted no time at sinking their teeth into the CRS program. Already, over 30 first-year instruction proposals have been submitted, with more to come. A project to build new soccer/football goals has already been completed, and campers have ambitious plans for the others. Evening programs have been a success - in addition to the traditional Council campfire, the second-years organized a game of camp-based Jeopardy, and counselors conducted a program about Game Theory using Oreos.

Things at camp are settling into a familiar rhythm, punctuated only by loud bouts of hysterical laughter, fervently competitive games of three-on-three basketball, and inclusive musical jam sessions. The boys are beginning to discover that camp can be like a second home to them.

The next few weeks will be full of challenges and new experiences as the first-years adjust to their new roles as community leaders and participate in hiking trips. They are more than up to the challenge, and continue to surprise the staff every day with their ingenuity, enthusiasm, and earnestness.

Check out photos from the entire summer here! Updated every Friday.

Girls' Week 3: Art, Music, and Dance

The second group of hikes returned today! They just spent three days and two nights backpacking through the Catskill Mountains.

Instructions this week (given by campers and counselors) included French Language and Culture, Land Art with Natural Materials, The Wheel of Social Change, Stargazing, Hip Hop Dancing, and How to Win Games with Math.

Evening programs this week included a camper-created Capture the Flag game, a scavenger hunt, and a camper-run "Town-hall" meeting.

As the campers wrap up their final week of camp, they will continue to give instructions, create projects, and run each day with enthusiasm.

Don't forget - this summer's alumni reunion is RIGHT around the corner! Starting on Friday, July 22nd, and ending on Sunday, July 24th, the reunion will give alumni the opportunity to connect, reconnect, spend time with old friends, and make new ones. There is a 20% discount for all committee members and a 50% discount for all students (high school and college)! Please email alumnireunion@lajf.org for more information, and register here!

Girls' Week 2: Hikes, Leaders, and Bridges

The girls have come to the end of their second week of camp!

The hikes went out yesterday! Campers are going to build community in small groups by learning to rely on each other, support each other, and trust each other.

In addition, this week, campers have been working on some projects to improve camp! They've been working on repainting their bathroom and dining hall, fixing a bridge across a river, and clearing out trails in the surrounding forest.

Instructions this week included discussions on current events, bookmaking, Hungarian dance, forum theatre, songwriting, and price-tagging. Evening programs included a discussion and activity about educational systems and learning styles and a camper-produced variety show.

This was the first week that first-year campers had the opportunity to lead the community in an official capacity. They took on the challenge with gusto, and led CRS 2016 through a very successful week.

Don't forget - this summer's alumni reunion is RIGHT around the corner! Starting on Friday, July 22nd, and ending on Sunday, July 24th, the reunion will give alumni the opportunity to connect, reconnect, spend time with old friends, and make new ones. There is a 20% discount for all committee members and a 50% discount for all students (high school and college)! Please email alumnireunion@lajf.org for more information, and register here!

Girls' Week 1: Suitcases, Hellos, and First Impressions

Our campers arrived this week! They're ready to begin the experience of a lifetime. Over the past few days, they've started to get to know each other, their surroundings, and their counselors. After the first day and a half of activities, campers began to settle in and adapt to their surroundings, and soon it began to feel like they'd known each other for a lifetime.

Starting on Day 3 of camp, campers experienced normal program: projects, instructions, and thought-provoking evening programs. Instructions in the first week included The Nature of Ethics, Craftivism, Working with Multicultural Teams, Hip-Hop Dancing, and Chinese Food Culture & Prejudice. Campers quickly took a shine to instructions, and they've begun to submit their own instruction proposals for next week.

Acro-Yoga!

Building a "CRS Constitution"

Craftivism

Evening programs this week included an activity on choices developed by the second-year campers, an identity-and-community focused spectrum exercise, a staff variety show, and of course, Council. 

Starting tomorrow, first-year campers will be serving as leaders of the day, projects, and instructions.

Don't forget - this summer's alumni reunion is RIGHT around the corner! Starting on Friday, July 22nd, and ending on Sunday, July 24th, the reunion will give alumni the opportunity to connect, reconnect, spend time with old friends, and make new ones. There is a 20% discount for all committee members and a 50% discount for all students (high school and college)! Please email alumnireunion@lajf.org for more information, and register here!

Second Years!

Our girl second-year campers arrived today! They're a dynamic team of six girls who are excited and enthusiastic about making CRS 2016 an amazing experience for every first-year camper. Over the next few days, they'll be working with Michael Sheldon, this summer's Leadership Education Coordinator, to build their team, make decisions about the upcoming season, and plan the first week of camp.

Staff training is drawing to a close, and staff are preparing their program areas for campers now. Our staff has used the past week and a half to bond and grow together. They've put up tents, moved beds, held a council, attended workshops on adolescent development and critical pedagogy, completed first aid and CPR trainings, and prepared for every eventuality that could arise during the season.

Don't forget - this summer's reunion is RIGHT around the corner! Starting on Friday, July 22nd, and ending on Sunday, July 24th, the reunion will give alumni the opportunity to connect, reconnect, spend time with old friends, and make new ones. There is a 20% discount for all committee members and a 50% discount for all students (high school and college)! Please email alumnireunion@lajf.org for more information, and register here!

Photo credits to Tim Bozyczko, our Medical Director.