Do you remember...the first time you heard about Camp Rising Sun? Whether it was a teacher, a friend, an alum or perhaps "Freddie," who told you about CRS, your initial thought was probably not that this experience would turn out to impact the rest of your life!

Most likely it was the possibility to go away from home and to meet new people, which at first attracted you. At the same time, the information about having to do squad work, staying in tents in the woods/little cabins, far away from teenagers of the opposite gender, probably caused some initial concerns!

Having survived the bugs, hiking trip, work and homesickness, you are most likely looking back at your summer(s) at Camp Rising Sun, with a feeling of happiness. Perhaps you consider some of the lessons learned during those eight weeks, some of the most valuable!? Most likely you have benefitted from the experimental learning and leadership responsibilities, which you were exposed to during camp!

The primary reason for the continuous success of the program, can be attributed to "Freddie." While the structure of the program has evolved quite substantially, the key objectives and ground rules have remained in line with "Freddie's" initial beliefs. Today the key goals of Camp Rising Sun have been carefully written down and look as follows: 

1. To foster an appreciation of both diversity and common humanity of the participants and encourage lasting friendships across boundaries of color, religion, gender and nationality.

2. To expand the participants' intellectual horizons through serious discussion of personal and world issues and by encouraging introspection; to heighten artistic sensibilities through guided exploration.

3. To develop leadership abilities and self-reliance by encouraging each participant to take on significant projects and responsibilities for the program and to gain experience in motivating others.

4. To offer and demonstrate by action a strong working philosophy of living characterized by the belief that personal fulfillment flows from making lifelong commitments to serving society through the pursuit of humanitarian goals.

In essence "Freddie" has managed to design a program, which continues to prove successful year after year. As difficult as it may be for any alum to explain what makes the CRS program unique and what the daily program actually looks like, it may just be concluded that each year the key goals are achieved!