Meet the 2021 Summer Staff running Virtual CRS and the Virtual Intensives! Building on 2020, 2021 has been an exciting summer of innovation as we found new ways to connect students from all over the world virtually! We look forward to welcoming in-person campers next summer, when we can be safely joined by people from all over the world, and to continuing serving young people virtually.
Some of the staff team are spending the summer at Camp, so make sure to join them for one of the multiple events we have this summer (Volunteer Week, Family Camp, and Adult Camp!)
Ruby Lainez ‘10, ‘11, ‘19, ‘21
I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Psychology and am currently a School Psychologist for a K-5 school on Long Island, New York. Prior to becoming a school psychologist, I had worked in many jobs, including, an Alzheimer's Program, Autism Program, and oddly enough, the morgue in NYC! I was a camper in 2010 and 2011 and a staff member in 2019. I also worked with LAJF for a few years as the hosting coordinator and program assistant. As a camper, I was most interested in evening program discussions.
I have just begun my time with Virtual CRS and I am amazed at how quickly campers are making friendships and connections online that I did not think was possible. I can see that the values that Camp gave me continue to be passed on to these virtual campers. I am looking forward to seeing how these bonds continue forming and how much we will all learn from each other.
Weronika Dwornik (she/they) ‘13, ‘18, ‘19, ‘21
I have an academic background in Film and Applied & Devised Theatre. I am interested in the role of art and creative practices in building and sustaining communities. At the moment, I am based in Bristol, UK, where I am working for an arts charity, House of Imagination. It provides a range of spaces for children and young people to collaborate with creative professionals and artists and then makes those spaces visible to an international audience through research.
I participated in CRS in 2013 and worked as a staff member in 2018-2019. I am very passionate about the CRS methodology that keeps evolving and improving every year and the experiential learning model that beautifully equips our participants for becoming an active and mindful part of their communities.
VCRS has been a heart-expanding and mind-bending experience- I never expected this program to be so powerful in a virtual setting! I am also so immensely grateful to be working alongside such an inspiring group of professionals this year. I am learning so much from every one of them!
Elise de Groote (she/her) ‘12, ‘13, ‘21
At the moment I am based in Enschede, a small Dutch student city that is close to the German borders. Here, I am studying applied physics with a specialization in materials science, nanotechnology, and quantum mechanics. I have a great passion for sustainability and did my minor in sustainability and renewable energy.
In the past I’ve worked on both the technological and societal problems of climate change such as a research on battery performance of lithium ion batteries but also a research on the political obstacles and possibilities in regards to the energy transition within regions of Europe. I went to Camp Rising Sun in 2012 and 2013. In 2020 I did a sustainability fellowship for LAJF and this summer 2021 I am a very excited staff member. It has been mind-blowing to me, so see that even though camp rising sun's program is digital this summer, it still has the capability to connect and inspire like it did when I went to Camp physically back in 2012.
I am incredibly grateful to be part of the staff team and have been inspired by both campers and staff in ways that no other experience can do.
Justin Shin ‘10, ‘14-21
I study where math and science go wrong in law and public policy. I am a graduate student in Pitt’s History and Philosophy of Science department. I was a camper in 2010, and have been on staff in some capacity since 2014. I’m mostly interested in instructions and evening programs.
One thing that has surprised me about VCRS are the quality of the camper-led instructions. Many campers seem to be zoom natives and use all kinds of tools to engage participants!
Laura Wondra (she/her) ‘19-’21
As Program Director, I manage the operation of Camp and our year-round virtual programs for young adults and alumni (which I loves as much as in-person Camp!).
Prior to LAJF, I spent over 5 years working in international youth programming and experiential, education-based programs. I earned my Master’s degree in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute where I focused on risk management and youth programs. I have worked both internationally and in the U.S. with over 300 youth from around the world.
In 2021, we added the leadership of second year campers from 2019 and 2020 who are helping facilitate and lead Virtual CRS. My favorite part of Virtual CRS so far has been witnessing the growth and facilitation of these alumni and how its made Virtual CRS an ever better program!
Elyem Chej (she/her) ‘09, ‘15,’16, ‘19-'21
I am passionate about creating caring, inclusive, and critical communities. To that end, I studied Political Science and have a master’s in Urban Studies, and have spent much of my time in different community organizations, mostly centered around housing rights. I am currently based between Spain and England but have enjoyed changing cities every year for the last few. Before working at LAJF, I spent time working for an environmental awareness organization in Helsinki, Finland, and as an inclusion consultant in London.
I first went to Camp at Stendis in 2009, I was a LAJFellow in 2015, worked at Camp in 2019, and have been around since! At Camp, I love witnessing the process of campers taking over the program, whether in person or virtually.
Adapting the CRS curriculum for a virtual setting is of the most enriching experiences I have had. Working in Virtual CRS in 2020 and 2021, I have been most amazed by how much campers engage with program elements and each other and by the quality of the conversations!