Campers worked hard to put together this great recap of Session 1! Whether you are a camper from this year, parent, alum, or future camper, we hope you enjoy this glimpse into our unforgettable summer!

Camper Photo Album

CURATED by Mukhethwa & Achilleas

The Hottest Day in CRS History

by Aiden & Mukhethwa

On the morning of the 4th of July, Campers at CRS woke up to extremely warm temperatures. According to the Washington Post, “July 4 may have been one of the hottest days on Earth in about 125,000 years,” with the average global temperature reaching a record high of 62.9 degrees fahrenheit.

Expecting this extreme heat would pass, campers and counselors attempted to continue daily activities, but the heat became too great of an obstacle for the camp community, with some campers going to the Health and Wellness Center for ice and to rest.

What factors are contributing to the excessive warming of the Earth?

The two main causes of this unnatural phenomenon taking place at camp and around the globe include fossil fuel emissions and the El Niño effect. We can attribute this extreme heat to the continued emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, which causes global temperatures to rise.

This is also equally influenced by the cyclical return of the El Niño, the weather process through which the ocean releases heat into the atmosphere. This combination of emissions into the atmosphere has led to, in combination, a global heat surge, responsible for the high temperatures CRS faces.

There are countless solutions that could be enacted by local and state governments, corporations, and organizations, but our generation is yet to see significant, widespread and collaborative enforcement of anti-climate change policies.

What environmental impacts will future sessions and Camp Rising Sun encounter, and how will this impact the CRS experience?

The 2023 CRS campers have already been impacted by smoke and hazardous air quality caused by the wildfires in Canada, a direct result of global warming. Now, CRS faces an issue of extremely high temperatures caused by climate change. The combination of these hazardous conditions have functioned as occasional yet major obstacles to the camp experience. During the following Girls and Non-Binary Session, these environmental abnormalities are expected to worsen as the summer months continue to get hotter.

If later sessions face issues such as these on a greater scale, what could this mean for the future of camp, and will this completely change how CRS functions? Should this situation continue to worsen due to harsher weather patterns, then how will summer camps across the U.S continue to run?

These are questions the camp community has asked, but the outcome is up to world leaders of today and tomorrow - our children’s lives, as well as our own, are at the mercy of their decision making. As future leaders, campers of CRS have the power to become the solution to the climate crisis, as we have seen the direct effect of current leaders' inaction.

With more action and less inaction, together as a community we can fight this.

Favorite Sports at CRS

by Ozodbek

There are a lot of sports facilities at Camp Rising Sun that campers can use.

Sports facilities:

Basketball
Table tennis
Volleyball
Tennis court
Pool
Stadium
Gym

Each day, we have around 3 hours of Self-Structured Time that everyone can spend playing these sports. Sports are a healthy and fun activity that make you energetic, strong, and happy. Doing sports can also distract you from negative thoughts.

Name: Erin

From: South Korea

Favorite sports: Badminton and board games

The reason why: I think badminton is the easiest sport for me to play. Also, because I am afraid of balls, I prefer balls that aren’t big and heavy. Because the shuttlecock isn’t big nor heavy, I prefer playing badminton.

How he usually spends his SST: I usually play board games with other campers and sometimes I play piano. Also, I talk with my tent mates!

Name: Ozodbek

From: Tajikistan

Favorite sports: European Football and swimming

The reason why: Football is the most popular sport in the world; it is interesting and easy to play. Most children play football in our country, and parents encourage their children to go to football. Now I am playing soccer with my friends at Camp Rising Sun and my favorite football club is Liverpool.

How he usually spends his SST: I usually talk with other campers and sometimes I play table tennis with campers.

Name: DJ

From: Minnesota - USA

Favorite sports: American Football and Track

The reason why: Football is my favorite sport, because it builds lifelong connections and a family-like atmosphere. Being one of the biggest sports in America, football teaches respect, toughness, determination and humility.

How he usually spends his SST: I spend most of my SST reading, working out or hanging with Mark (Mark’s the GOAT).

Name: Aiden

From: Colorado - USA

Favorite sports: Badminton and Volleyball

The reason why: Though I’m more artistically focused and don’t routinely play group sports, I’ve found that both are great activities to enjoy with friends.

How he usually spends his SST: Majority of my time at camp is spent at the treehouse by the lake where it's quiet, writing letters to home and friends, and thinking about anything and everything.

Name: Michal

From: Poland

Favorite sports: Gym/Skateboarding

The reason why: I love putting on headphones and listening to my favorite songs. These sports allow me to relax and get away from everyday life, along with the rhythms of Jimi Hendrix or Frank Ocean.

How he usually spends his SST: I usually practice my music skills. I really want to become a full-time musician, so that's basically what I have to do to become one. I also go to the local gym. It's just a bench, but I can do a lot of exercises on it.

Cultural Changes Faced by Campers at CRS

by Motheo

Interview with Frank

Country originated from: China

What cultural shifts have you faced in the US in terms of food?

There's a lot more variety in China for options to eat than there is in the US. Usually in China there's more salt on food as well and I feel that the food in the US is not salty one bit. We use several dishes in China as well. Another difference is the portions of foods that are served - here in the US we put all different foods onto one plate for yourself, instead of in China we all share at the table. With cutlery it’s another change - in China we use chopsticks and here in the US we use knife and fork for every meal. It's quite a big change for me.

How do these changes make you feel?

Using a knife and fork here is a big challenge for me but it's also interesting and a good experience to go about learning about how different cultures eat. I also think knife and fork is very elegant. It’s not something I'm used to but I know I can get used to eating like this even though it does not form a part of my environment. I am happy that I have adapted to this environment so quickly.

Interview with Shmuel

Country originated from: Denmark

What actions from people here at CRS make you feel welcomed?

Smiling , and hospitality from the people, these are the things that make me feel welcomed by the community at Camp Rising Sun. I personally would say the environment I am in is very hospitable there's a lot of kind gestures I have been receiving and have been treating strangers warmly and generously.

Interview with Teru

Country originated from: Japan

How would you describe the camp environment?

It’s very different from my home or school. In my home or school, most of our values are really close or the same. But in this camp, each camper has their own opinions and values. Sometimes they are different from mine. It’s very new for me, and I learned a lot from them. All campers have their background and speciality. We can teach and learn from these. This is the most important for me. In conclusion, the camp environment is really fun and exciting. I enjoy learning about other peoples cultures and values!

During teamworks counselors do their best to motivate campers and maximize efficiency by playing music during teamworks, what's your opinion on the music that has been played here at CRS?

I don’t know most of the songs, but I enjoy listening and dancing with my friends. Listening to songs is a good way to communicate with each other without the constant use of language. So, I think playing music is really good and I want more time to listen and dance with other campers.

On July 15 there was a themed evening event (“cultural casino night”). What was your experience at the cultural casino and did it match your expectations?

Yes it definitely matched my expectations, I saw a lot of cultural things and clothes. These are all different, and I ask some people about the background of the clothes. I learned a lot of history from the background. It was a really good experience. I really enjoyed it!

What actions from people here at CRS make you feel welcomed?

On the first day, when I arrived at the campsite, counselors sang me a welcome song. The song cheered me up. This action made me feel comfortable.

Thank you for sharing your experience here at CRS. This is the end of the interviews, stay tuned for the next article!

Teaching Instructions at CRS

by Minik & Amit

Teaching an instruction at Camp Rising Sun is a rewarding experience. It is a chance to share your knowledge and skills with others, and to help them learn and grow. It is also a great way to make new friends and have fun.

As a camper leading an instruction at Camp Rising Sun, you could be responsible for teaching a variety of subjects, including academics, arts, and sports. You will also have the opportunity to lead activities and workshops. One of the most important things to remember when giving instruction at Camp Rising Sun is to be patient and understanding. The campers are all at different levels of ability, so you need to be able to adapt your teaching style to meet their needs. You also need to be able to create a fun and engaging learning environment and be aware that not everyone is fluent at English.

Here are some tips for giving instructions at Camp Rising Sun:

To be an effective instructor at Camp Rising Sun, it is important to be prepared, patient, engaging, and positive. By being prepared, you will be able to answer any questions the campers may have and feel confident in your teaching. By being patient, you will be able to understand the different levels of ability the campers have and not get frustrated if they don't understand something right away. By being engaging, you will be able to make the learning process fun and interesting for the campers. And by being positive, you will be able to encourage the campers and let them know that you believe in them. This will help them feel confident and motivated to learn.

Here are some additional thoughts on giving instructions at Camp Rising Sun:

In addition to being prepared, patient, engaging, and positive, it is also important to be mindful of your language, respectful of different cultures and backgrounds, open to feedback, and have fun when instructing at Camp Rising Sun.

To be mindful of your language means to avoid using jargon or technical terms that the campers may not understand. Instead, use clear and simple language that everyone can understand. This will help the campers to learn effectively and to feel more comfortable in your class.

To be respectful of different cultures and backgrounds means to be aware of the different cultural norms and values that the campers may bring to the classroom. This means being sensitive to their cultural differences and avoiding making assumptions about their cultures. It also means being willing to learn about their cultures and to share your own culture with them.

To be open to feedback means to be willing to listen to the campers' suggestions and to make changes to your teaching methods accordingly. This shows the campers that you value their opinions and that you are committed to providing them with the best possible learning experience. You also must be willing to laugh and to have fun with the campers.

By following these tips, you can be an effective instructor at Camp Rising Sun and help the campers to learn and grow!

Interview with Matthew

What was the topic of your instruction? Product design.

Have you had information before? I took a class on product design called design to entrepreneurship and that's what inspired me to do this instruction.

How did you prep for it? I mostly remembered what I was taught in class so I used that but I did go over some points in my head first.

How did you feel during it? I was having a lot of fun. The people who signed up were very creative and they had many good ideas. While it definitely was stressful I think I became a better instructor/teacher from it.

What are some takeaways? We had 30 minutes less due to an overtime assembly so maybe just having more time would be nice but also may be having more materials to build with.

Advice for future instructors? Don't be overly stressed if you are, it will make everyone suffer, don't worry about people judging you, they are there to learn and you are all a part of the same community. Messing up doesn't matter, just have fun and do your best.

Interview with Dahvin

What was the topic? Intro to swimming.

Have you had information before? I’ve had club and school swim.

How did you prep for it? From my experience as swimmer and knowledge from my coaches.

How did you feel during it? I’ve felt excited and I had a lot of just being in the water and having a partner was very great.

What are some takeaways? The instruction are very short, but it a great learning experience.

Advice for future instructors? Be prepared do research collaborate with others and just take in the experience.

The Power of Music

by Gabe

Music has a profound ability to unite or divide people. It has the power to express our emotions, beliefs, and experiences in ways that words alone cannot. The question then arises: does the music we listen to say something about who we are as individuals?

One of my personal favorite music artists is Boygenius, a band consisting of three incredibly talented individuals: Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker. Intrigued by the idea that our musical preferences might reflect our personalities, I decided to seek the opinions of various counselors regarding Boygenius and whether their perception of the music would align with my own. I introduced 3 counselors to The Record by Boygenius. I showed them 3 of my favorite Boygenius songs which are “True Blue”, “Cool About It” and “Emily I’m Sorry.”

I had the opportunity to speak with Lod, a counselor who shared his thoughts on Boygenius. He described their music as a representation of the struggles and complexities of life, capturing the essence of how emotions can consume us. To him, their music felt raw, open, and honest. This resonated deeply with me, as I have always admired artists who are unafraid to lay bare their vulnerabilities.

Curious to gather more perspectives, I sought the opinion of Hannah, another counselor I had the chance to converse with. She conveyed that Boygenius's music exuded a sense of tranquility and comfort. It was as if their melodies wrapped around her like a warm embrace, providing solace in even the most chaotic of times. This notion struck a chord within me, as I have always sought solace and refuge in music during times of turmoil.

Lastly, I had the pleasure of discussing Boygenius with Diana, a counselor with a keen ear for music. She described their sound as timeless and versatile, able to transcend the boundaries of genre and appeal to a wide range of listeners. This versatility resonated with me, as I believe in the power of music to transcend societal barriers and connect people from diverse backgrounds.

The insights shared by these counselors left me pondering the profound impact that music has on our lives. It became evident that something as seemingly simple as the songs we choose to listen to can shape our identities and influence our actions. It is crucial, therefore, to be careful of the music we consume. Whether it's joy, sorrow, rage, or exhilaration, diverse musical genres and styles have the power to evoke a range of emotions. For instance, lively and energizing music can improve our mood and inspire us, yet slow and pensive music may make us feel melancholy or nostalgic. Maintaining a healthy emotional state requires being aware of the feelings that particular musical genres create.

Additionally, lyrics and messages in music frequently influence our attitudes and perceptions. Themes in lyrics address love, relationships, societal problems, or personal challenges.

In conclusion, the music we listen to speaks volumes about who we are as individuals. It serves as a reflection of our emotions, beliefs, and experiences. Boygenius, with their raw honesty, comforting melodies, and timeless appeal, has resonated deeply with me. As I continue my journey of self-discovery, I am reminded of the power of music to shape and define our identities. So let us be mindful of the melodies that accompany us on this journey, for they have the potential to unite us, inspire us, and bring us closer together.

Dear Future Campers

by Aiden

Dear future campers of Camp Rising Sun…

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Just kidding - every person you encounter is here for a reason, just as you are. Don’t let preconceived notions of others interfere with possible friendships.

As many campers say, “Don’t worry, it will get better,” and this is absolutely true. For many the first week of camp is an emotional rollercoaster. Adjusting to this new environment while longing for home and family can feel impossible - at first, the sensory overload can make connecting with others challenging, but I still found my people, and I found support in my fellow tent-mates and counselors.

Remember this is not school. You don’t have to bring your 100% every single hour of every day. The counselors are more than willing to grant you a quick breather and sit-down if you need to take a break.

Don't be scared to have those necessary conversations about gender expression, identity, and other valuable topics, and above all… don’t change or mask who you are for fear of not being accepted.

Every camper has their own experience, and every session has its own unique character and personality. There is no guarantee that your experience will resemble mine, meaning that this advice could have no significance to you. I had a truly wonderful time regardless of any challenges I encountered.

And finally, read the bathroom stalls. Some of the best words of encouragement can be found in Midsummer’s Night (the bathroom stall).

Your favorite CRS camper,

Aiden

CRS 2023: Session 1 Recap

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