The 2021 edition of our Sundial alumni magazine is available now! Read it here.

It includes important updates about our programs, camper and alumni stories, information about our funding and supporters, and so much more. We love keeping in touch with you — our global community of supporters — and ensuring that you’re the first to hear about exciting things going on at LAJF and Camp Rising Sun.

Here is a note from our Executive Director, Helene Mattera, which appears as the introduction to this year’s Sundial:

Dear Friends,

In this unique year, the Sundial is a little different and will be published online only, but we wanted to make sure we share the important annual highlights with you! You’ll notice that our beloved Beings & Doings section is missing, but not to worry, we will include the ones that were submitted this year in next year’s Sundial. We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to share their exciting life updates with us.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for standing with us throughout the past two tumultuous years. Despite the challenges of these times, I have often found myself feeling grateful to be part of such a remarkable community as ours. Our Camp Rising Sun global community is resilient, and feeling connected to all of you across the world during this time has made it a little easier. I hope you will also feel this connection as you read through the updates and stories on the following pages.

Even though it’s been two summers without welcoming campers in person, I am proud of how our staff creatively pivoted to virtual programming so that we could bring in a whole new cohort of young people. These new alumni had the opportunity to expand their worldviews through programs that focused on critical topics related to social justice, climate change and sustainability, and artistic exploration. The Virtual Camp Rising Sun and Virtual Intensive programs are here to stay, and this technological advancement will help us reach even more young people each year. This year we also took a major step into the future and passed an ambitious five-year strategic plan. The plan is the result of a tremendous amount of energy and hard work from our staff, Board, and dozens of volunteers. The plan extends our ecosystem of programs, strengthening Camp Rising Sun while also developing and initiating new programs, to maximize the potential of our mission and reach more youth.

Finally, as you read through this magazine, I hope you will be as inspired as I am by the incredible people within our global network. CRS alumni are using the skills they developed at Camp to create waves of change in their local towns and cities, and the world at large. Our alumni are speaking out against injustice through activism, leading community organizing efforts and protests, giving their time to serve their neighbors in need, and helping to advance areas of study and research that will lead to long-term societal change. It’s exhilarating to witness the impact of our program in action and to see generations of campers step into leadership roles, using the power of their voices to make a difference.

On behalf of the LAJF team, we once again thank you for all of your support and involvement that make our work possible. We couldn’t keep the magic of Camp alive year after year without each and every one of you.

With gratitude,

Helene Mattera

LAJF Executive Director