Louis August Jonas Foundation Inc.

“We do this by operating camp rising sun, our full-scholarship, summer leadership program for teenagers from more than 30 different countries and 10 u.s. States.”

“With a full-time staff of only 5 including one facilities manager in rhinebeck, lajf relies heavily on volunteers to accomplish the complex business of operating our programs. We have documented board of directors volunteer time commitment and have roughly estimated the time our other volunteers spend. Those numbers follow. Board of directors -17 voting directors - 4000 hours in aggregate members advisory council- 12 members - 150 hours in aggregate, committees number of members excludes board members, audit advisors 6 members 75 hours in aggregate, alumni council-10 members - 72 hours in aggregate, buildings and grounds- 5 members - 150 hours in aggregate, committee on governance-8 members - 72 hours in aggregate, finance and investment-13 members - 120 hours in aggregate, health and safety-7 members - 88 hours in aggregate, program-14 members - 140 hours in aggregate, scholarship-4 members - 50 hours in aggregate, strategic planning-15 members - 500 hours in aggregate, programs for new participants and alums 30 alums have volunteered to teach an instruction or speak at a panel, with an estimated aggregate work of 150 hours. 16 college professionals volunteered to speak and lead activities during our virtual college workshops for a total of 25 hours. Volunteer week due to the campus being closed for youth programming, we were able to safely host 20 adult volunteers to do maintenance and construction projects for an estimate of 400 volunteer hours.”

“Program 1 continued typically, there are two on-site camp sessions - one for 65 boys, and the other for 65 girls. In 2020 and 2021, the camp program was delivered in a virtual setting online and served 60 participants over two, mixed gender sessions. Lajf designed an 11-day virtual program that provided a space for discussion and learning surrounding the crs mission and values. While this program does not aim to substitute the traditional in-person program, the program shares many well-loved aspects of camp, including instructions, leadership roles, and a focus on curriculum that reflects the crs pedagogy of reflection and experiential learning. Campers attend rising sun for only one or two summers. The crs program is meant to serve as a watershed in the development of an individuals identity. Its success lies in encouraging in each camper the fullest realization of their intellectual, cultural artistic, musical, and literary, humanistic and ethical capabilities. In the shorter term, through the camp experience, campers can develop new self-awareness, increased self-confidence, and enhanced perceptions and understanding of the world around them. Many campers do not feel the full impact of the program until well after the end of the camp season. After camp rising sun has ended, alumni continue to develop their leadership skills through serving on camper selection and board committees and alumni associations. The camp rising sun alumni community is vibrant, with a worldwide network that hosts numerous regional gatherings each year. The foundation awards scholarships to support alumni pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees through the george e. Jonas scholars and in 2015 started to offered fellowship positions in non-profit management and program development.”