What ages does Camp Rising Sun accept?

Camp Rising Sun is open to children ages 14–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

What are Camp Rising Sun's hours?

Camp Rising Sun runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Who runs Camp Rising Sun?

Camp Rising Sun is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 90 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does Camp Rising Sun provide lunch?

Yes — Camp Rising Sun includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.

▌ Specialty · Ages 14–16

Camp Rising Sun

Upstate New York · ★ 4.8 (16 reviews)

International, tuition-free leadership program for young people from diverse backgrounds, focusing on global

▌ Editor's read The website lajf.org loads successfully and is the official site for Camp Rising Sun, operated by the Louis August Jonas Foundation. The camp is a tuition-free, international leadership program for teenagers aged 14-16, with separate programs for boys in New York and girls in Denmark. It has been operating for 90 years, founded in 1930 by George E. Jonas, and is clearly a nonprofit organization. The program is overnight, focusing on intellectual growth, cultural exchange, and community service. While the website does not mention ACA accreditation or specific staff-to-camper ratios, it highlights a rigorous application process and a diverse international participant base. Google reviews for 'Camp Rising Sun' (specifically the Louis August Jonas Foundation) show a 4.9-star rating from 40 reviews, with many alumni praising the transformative and impactful nature of the program. Social media handles found are @camprisingsun on Instagram and 'camprisingsun' on Facebook.

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Since 193690+ years operating

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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 14–16

Camp Rising Sun serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in specialty, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Overnight camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: 1936 (90 years)
Operator: Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Specialty
Ages: 14–16
Hours: 24-hour residential
Address: 1000 LAJF Rd, Red Hook, NY 12571, USA
Phone: (845) 758-6838
Email: [email protected]
Cost notes: Free, USD

Logistics

Lunch provided: Yes
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Camp Rising Sun

What ages does Camp Rising Sun accept?: Camp Rising Sun is open to children ages 14–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
What are Camp Rising Sun's hours?: Camp Rising Sun runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Camp Rising Sun?: Camp Rising Sun is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 90 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Camp Rising Sun provide lunch?: Yes — Camp Rising Sun includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.

Planning guides

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