Summer Newsletter | Aug 4, 2023
What's New With U? Week 6
This week was full of celebrating Usdan traditions, including the annual 5 year lunch and the Red Object Exchange.
It was also a wonderful week of Festival performances. Students got to enjoy performances from visiting performers such as The Knights and Dance Heginbotham. We were treated to extra special performances for the second half of the week as our amazingly talented staff members took the stage as Festival performers. Next week starts our student Festival performances, so please remember that all Festivals are streamed live daily on our YouTube Channel. Performances in the Theater Department also start next week. Please check your email for details if your child will be performing in either Festival or Theater. If you missed any of the Festival shows, you can catch them anytime on YouTube. Make sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss any of the amazing guest performers and student shows!
5 Year Lunch
At the annual 5 Year Lunches this summer, we celebrated more than 150 students who have been at Usdan for 5 or more years, many of whom started in Discovery. We've loved watching these students develop their individual creative voice and make lifelong friends. We are so proud that for so many of our students over the past 55 years, Usdan has been more than a summer camp, it is a second home that they return to year after year.
The Red Object Exchange
A beloved Usdan tradition, The Red Object Exchange was conceptualized by Usdan Artist in Residence Pedro Lasch. The students bring in a red object and leave it along the paths and woods around the campus, they then can pick up any other red object around the campus in exchange. This tradition unites our whole community and leads to a temporary display of over a thousand red objects which stand in strong visual contrast to the green of the Usdan woods. By the time students return home with their new red object, we will have created an immediate and massive exchange experiment that encompasses New York City, Long Island, and its surrounding areas.
Device Policy
Reminder, Usdan is device and electronics free this summer. To enhance this experience, we have adopted a device-free policy. Disconnecting allows students to fully engage with their artistic endeavors, explore their imagination and connect with each other.
If you need to reach your child or get a message to your child, please call the main office: 631.643.7900.
Please be our partner in helping us reinforce this policy by reminding your child that their devices must be put away before they get off the bus or out of the car in the morning. We thank you for your support. If you have any questions or need to leave a message for your child during camp hours, please call: 631.643.7900.
See U next week!
WEEK 6 IN MEDIA
CAMP SHOTS
Usdan's photographer travels around the campus daily capturing photos of our students and the joys of camp. In addition to photos shared in our Newsletter and on Instagram, you can view photos in Flickr.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Don't forget to follow us on social media to see pictures and videos daily! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and TicTok!
Calendar Highlights: Week 7
Here is what's coming up next week!
Monday, August 7
First Day: Week 7 Recreational Camp!
Theater Performance: Pippin
10:30am | Senior Cast
1:30pm | Junior Cast
Festival: Creative Writing
12:10pm & 12:35pm
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Parents and caregivers visiting campus are welcome to join Usdan staff for lunch after the 12:35pm Festival. RSVP for lunch by emailing rsvp@usdan.org.
Tuesday, August 8
Festival: The Ensemble - Selections from Pippin
12:10pm & 12:35pm
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Parents and caregivers visiting campus are welcome to join Usdan staff for lunch after the 12:35pm Festival. RSVP for lunch by emailing rsvp@usdan.org.
Wednesday, August 9
Theater Performance: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
10:30am | Senior Cast
1:30pm | Junior Cast
Festival: Senior Band III and IV
12:10pm & 12:35pm
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Parents and caregivers visiting campus are welcome to join Usdan staff for lunch after the 12:35pm Festival. RSVP for lunch by emailing rsvp@usdan.org.
Thursday, August 10
Theater Performance: Captain Louie Jr.
1:30pm | Junior Cast
Festival: Orchestra III & IV
12:10pm & 12:35pm
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Parents and caregivers visiting campus are welcome to join Usdan Staff for lunch after the 12:35pm Festival. RSVP for lunch by emailing rsvp@usdan.org.
Friday, August 11
Spirit Day: Rainbow Day!
Last Day: Week 7 Recreational Camp
Theater Performance: Camp U! The Musical
10:30am | Senior Cast
1:30pm | Junior Cast
Festival: Senior Jazz Major
12:10pm & 12:35pm
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Parents and caregivers visiting campus are welcome to join Usdan staff for lunch after the 12:35pm Festival. RSVP for lunch by emailing rsvp@usdan.org.
Saturday, August 12
11:00am - 5:30pm
Sunday, August 13
11:00am - 5:30pm
Upcoming & Noteworthy
Long Island's #1 fall event is coming back to Usdan this October!
We are thrilled to be able to offer Usdan community members an exclusive chance to purchase pre-sale tickets!
