Today, we present some of the Camp Rising Sun 2018 second-year campers. Each summer, a handful of campers are selected to return to CRS for a second year, where they work with the CRS Staff to set the tone for an unforgettable summer experience for the first-year campers.

Second-year campers serve in a variety of capacities, including as an older sibling-like figure, providing guidance to the first years (including modeling what it means to “be your own Sachem”), teaching a variety of CRS traditions, including songs, Council, and more. Second-years are and remain campers, but the distinction is that they are looked to as role models from the first days at of camp. To help them step into this new role at camp, second-years arrive to camp for a few days of training with staff members before the arrival of the first year campers.

Read from six of this year’s second-year campers, as they introduce themselves to the Rising Sun community and explain why they are excited about returning to Camp. Check back next week to meet the remaining six second-years of 2018.

Astha Madan Grover (India)

I am a high school senior from India. I enjoy eating dim-sums and reading murder mysteries. I intend to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at university next year. My favourite spot at camp is the tree-house by the lake. I am most excited to meet new people and returning members of camp. I am also looking forward to the vigil, Prom, cooking a cultural meal as I did not get to do it last year, and visiting Holy Cow.

Daniela Perez (Ecuador)

I am a 16 year-old girl from Ecuador. I love to sing, dance and act. My favorite color is blue and I love animals. I am really close to my sisters and friends. Camp is my home. How can I not be excited to go back home? I am excited to meet all of the new amazing girls that are coming this year and welcome all of them to the CRS family. I can’t wait to reunite with my camper friends and go back to the place that makes my soul so happy.

Emily Winn (Colorado)

Hey! My name is Emily, and I'm a fifteen year old girl from Colorado! I love being outside, cooking, and history. I've been going to different camps for my whole life, but CRS has a special spot in my heart. The thing that makes me most excited about returning to CRS is being able to meet all the new campers! Last year, I learned so much about global issues and other cultures from all the different people at camp. I can't believe I'm so lucky to have the same experience twice.

George Petkov (Bulgaria)

I am from Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. I am 16 years old and I study in the American College of Sofia. I like sports, travelling, and learning. I also like hanging out with friends and a lot more stuff. I really like the camp and the campus itself. I want to go back because I have new ideas that I want to apply and also I want to meet the new first years. Moreover I want to see what is the feeling of being more experienced than others and help the first year campers with their skills.

Remy Goldberg (New Jersey)

My name is Remy and I'm 16 years old. I live in New Jersey and attend Bergen County Academies. I love to dance, cook, and sing along to Broadway show tunes with my siblings. I applied to become a second-year because I remember how kind, helpful, and inspirational my second-years were, so I wanted to pass that onto the next set of first-year campers. On a more personal note, I also wanted to be a second year to expand my leadership skills even further and learn how to turn my ideas into reality.

Zebadiah Drees (California)

I’m an artist/musician activist from Oakland California, and will be returning to camp as a second year. I like to make music and paint with my friends, and always try to do some good with whatever we create. The friendships I made and the personal growth I experienced made camp one of my most cherished experiences. Coming back, I’m excited to get to know all of the new campers, help introduce them to camp, and continue expanding my knowledge of the world. I’m excited to see a whole new array of perspectives and worldviews, see you soon.