LAJF is committed to supporting alumni for life. One way we do this is providing resources to current and prospective college/university students, financial aid opportunities, and connecting college students with alumni. Often times, we receive inquiries from recent campers asking to be connected with other alumni who can provide insight into college and career opportunities.

In response, LAJF created the Camp Rising Sun Student College Network (CRS CSN) to serve as a resource for our alumni who are prospective, incoming, and current college students. We do this by bringing together alumni who are knowledgeable about the US college system to serve as a mentees for the younger alumni seeking information about college-related topics.

2018 GEJ Scholarship applications now open

We are thrilled to announce that scholarship applications are now open for CRS alumni pursuing their undergraduate or graduate education in the United States. Being part of the Camp Rising Sun community enriches us far beyond our experiences as campers, counselors and family members, and LAJF wants to support our student alumni in their pursuit of higher education.

The scholarship fund is dedicated to the memory of George E. (“Freddie”) Jonas (GEJ). The scholarship is available for all alumni of Camp Rising Sun, including former summer staff. The Scholarship selection committee values intellectual ability, character and future promise of fostering the values of Camp Rising Sun. In the past, scholarship awards have ranged from $1,000 to $5,000. We encourage all alumni to apply before the deadline of June 15th.

The GEJ Scholarship exists thanks to the generosity of the Georges Lurcy Trust and CRS alumni and friends. We give a special thanks to alumnus Seth Frank (‘48, ‘49) who recently arranged for a donation from the Georges Lurcey Trust to LAJF for the GEJ Scholarship Fund. The fund will name a scholarship in honor of CRS alumnus John Litsios (‘35 - ‘38, ‘46) to be awarded to a CRS alumnus who is or is planning to pursue polytechnic, scientific or engineering studies in college or university. An additional donation from the same trust will be added to the endowment of the Pete Seeger (‘35) Scholarship, which is awarded to an alumnus engaged in activism and demonstrated commitment to social justice.

This scholarship opportunity would also not be possible without the commitment and passion of the GEJ Scholarship Committee members. The Committee, chaired by Peter Giacone (‘83), includes Cristin Strining  (‘01, ‘02, ‘06, ‘10), David Levine (‘58, ‘59), Eli Bromberg (‘96), Inna Kuvich (‘01, ‘02, ‘06), Alexandra Pleier (‘01) John M Reilly (‘97, ‘98), and Mads Nissen ('06, '13, '14, '16, '17). We thank them all for their service and outstanding work.

What previous recipients had to say about being awarded scholarship:

Virtual College Week

LAJF will be hosting its first Virtual College Week this upcoming May 14 to 18, through the College Student Network! Join us via Facebook Live (videos will be available to view afterward) for interviews and Q&A sessions with several college admissions professionals and university representatives. Throughout the week, we will hear from a variety of speakers including Carl Manalo (‘95-’96, ‘11), LAJF Board Member and Principal of the Queens High School For Information And Research, John Reilly (‘97-’98), Associate Director of College Counseling at Trinity School (NYC), and Eli Bromberg (‘95-’96), former Assistant Dean of Admission at Amherst College and former Assistant Director of Admission at Columbia University. 

Schedule of events:

Monday, May 14th at 4:30 PM EDT

Carl Manalo & Eli Bromberg will provide a general introduction to the college admission process including how to create a school list, what questions to ask in your research, and how to determine what is most important to you in the selection process.

Tuesday, May 15th at 4:30 PM EDT

John Reilly will talk about how to approach school visits, the sticker shock, and cost of going to college, where to start looking for scholarships, and how admissions offices make decisions.

Thursday, May 17th at 1:00 PM EDT 

An admissions representative from Minerva Schools at KGI, a newer institution offering a series of experiential learning seminars in 7 different countries over the course of a 4-year degree program. A Minerva representative will discuss the program’s philosophy, unique, merit-based admissions process, and financial aid packages that are available for both US and international students. This is an opportunity for students to hear about a unique college program that is highly international in student population and program focus, whose mission is to nurture critical wisdom for the sake of the world.

All of our speakers will allow time for a Q&A session. Submit your questions or specific topics you would like us to cover via email, or in the Facebook group. You can also comment directly while watching the live videos on the day of each event. Spread the word, join the network (on Facebook), and be on the lookout for more details!