Camp Rising Sun (CT)

Category: 2023 Volunteer Recognition
Name of Entry: CRS Staff Necklaces
Contact Name: Jason Atkins
Contact Phone: 203-570-6108
Entry Background/Description: One of our favorite Camp Rising Sun traditions is our staff necklaces. These necklaces are leather cord with a hand-crafted, hand-painted CRS token.

First-year staff members are presented with their necklaces early during our Camp Week. Each subsequent Camp Week, staff members can add a bead to their necklaces to indicate how long they've been volunteering at CRS. These necklaces are a regular source of conversation among staff and campers -- campers counting beads to see how long someone has been coming to camp, etc.

These necklaces also serve as a place to hold trinkets, such as shrinky dinks gifted by campers. Over time, these necklaces come to symbolize someone's 'career' at CRS.
Why You Should Vote for Me: These necklaces are fairly simple but they carry so much meaning. Each staff member's necklace is unique, between the number of beads they have, the additional trinkets they've added, and the love they've put into Camp Rising Sun.
New staff are excited to get theirs, and returning staff look forward to adding another bead each year.