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:
“Receiving a scholarship from LAJF not only means help for funding my education; the award shows the continued support I have from my incredible community. It is a simple reminder of how lucky I am to be an alumna of CRS and how thankful I am.”
“As a recipient of the GEJ scholarship, I understand with far greater clarity how LAJF generously supports and encourages us not only as campers but also as young adults. This scholarship is helping me to complete my postgraduate student teaching through my undergraduate institution, Washington and Lee University. ”
“Rising Sun opened new doors in my life, doors to a variety of truths about people, cultures and religions. As a member of a PhD community, and as a TA of undergraduate students at UCLA, I always try to teach and learn from others. That is a value that I learned at CRS and that I try to instill on a daily basis.”