The Usdan Weekly # 2 | The Gift of a Screen-free Summer

Sculpture students in the creative process

One of my favorite parts about this summer in particular is our community-wide agreement to spend our summer days away from smart phones and computers — immersed in creativity, nature, and friendship.

I often think that the whole world could be like Usdan, all we have to do is make different choices, together.

Keep reading for a window into some of these moments of immersion.

Lauren Brandt Schloss
Executive Director

P.S. To our current families — Please remember to avoid communicating with students via text or email while they are at Usdan. If need to get in touch with your children, call 631.643.7900.

Other community members — I invite you to spend five hours this week screen-free. Join us in the Summer of Ludd!

Earth update

2026 Class Photo: Nature & Sustainability Minors

The Nature & Sustainability department leads the charge this summer in collaborating with the EARTH on campus. The Nature, Ecology, and Design Minor (pictured above) began building forts out of foraged materials this week, and the Seed to Snack: Edible Gardening class is celebrating the early signs of growth in the Organic Garden.

Scenes from Rainbow Day

Festival Spotlight: Alum Zack Zadek

Alum Zack Zadek interview with Festival Showrunners, 2026

On Monday, July 5, Usdan alum Zack Zadek returned to campus to perform at Festival, an extra special homecoming for celebrated musical theater writer. Click the video above for an exclusive interview of Zack by Festival Showrunner student Rebecca.

Zack's folk-infused mystery-box musical "The Turning" will be premiering next fall in a pre-Broadway tryout at the Center Theatre Group in LA. "The Turning" features best friends Gracie and Nora leave Los Angeles for a secluded wellness retreat in the California wilderness — where self-help rituals test the limits of their courage, their friendship, and how far we are willing to go to heal.

WATCH THE FESTIVAL RECAPS

‼️ CALLS TO ACTION ‼️

⭐ Extend to 8-Weeks: Enrollment for our second session (4-week B) running from July 27 – August 21 is still open. Enroll, or extend your session, today!

⭐ Add 1-week of Recreational Camp! Our flexible one-week sessions let students experience the fun, friendships, and creativity of Usdan for just one week. Perfect for busy schedules, these sessions fit neatly into open summer weeks.

⭐ NEW! Know someone who would join Usdan if they could experience just one day with us? Join TryU, our new one day arts program for grades 2–12.

⭐ Friend Referral Discount: For every new family who enrolls and was referred by a current family, that family will receive a $150 tuition refund.

⭐ Donate! Usdan has been a nonprofit arts organization since 1968. Please consider donating to support scholarships, campus stewardship, and more.

⭐ Text 631-646-1677 with any enrollment questions or to schedule a one-on-one phone call. You may also reach us Mon – Fri, 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at enrollment@usdan.org or by calling 631-643-7900.

⭐ Volunteer! Email volunteers@usdan.org if you are interested in contributing to the transformative power of the arts on campus this summer!

What's coming up at usdan

July Community Day: Wed, Jul 22 from 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
- Join us for a day filled with art, performances, raffles, and the magic of Usdan. Thanks to our generous sponsors, this is a free event. Registration is required, and donations are strongly encouraged.
2026 Hip-Hop Pool Party: Sat, Aug 8 from 12:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
- Grab your bathing suit, shake off your dance moves, and join us for what promises to be a party for the history books! This is a ticketed event for all ages.
August Community Day: Wed, Aug 19 from 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.

💥 Upcoming performances

Monday, July 13
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival: Junior Creative Writing Majors & Minors
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival: Senior Creative Writing Majors & Minors
Tuesday, July 14
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival: Junior Vocal Ensemble Majors & Minors
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival: Senior Vocal Ensemble Majors & Minors
Wednesday, July 15
- 10:30 a.m. | Theater Performance: "Once Upon a One More Time" by Senior Musical Theater
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival: Usdan Festival Showrunners Present...
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival: Usdan Festival Showrunners Present...
- 1:30 p.m. | Festival: Theater Performance: "Once Upon a One More Time" by Junior Musical Theater
Thursday, July 16
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival: The Knights
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival: The Knights
- 1:30 p.m. | Theater Performance: "Disney's 101 Dalmatians" by Children's Theater
Friday, July 17
- 10:30 a.m. | Theater Performance: "Alice by Heart" by Senior Musical Theater
- 12:10 p.m. | Festival: Senior Classical Composition Majors performed by The Knights
- 12:35 p.m. | Festival: Senior Classical Composition Majors performed by The Knights

🌈 Next Friday, July 17 is PJ Day! Make sure to remind young artists attending to wear their coziest fit.

🎽 Register for the My Style Camp Usdan Merch Workshop on Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Port Washington. This fun, hands-on event is open to all current families. Merch items are available for purchase, and 10% of the proceeds go back to supporting Usdan. Make sure to RSVP.

Partners in the arts corner

Campsnap Partners in the Arts photo, 2026

Our Partners in the Arts are our second and third grade students transitioning into a more independent camp experience with the support of mature high school-aged students in our Leadership program. We started this column to share a little bit more about this special department on campus.

"Hi! I'm Charlie, one of the Leaders this summer at Usdan, and I am really enjoying my time in the Leadership program! One of my favorite experience so far has been watching my Partners in the Arts campers at lunch and getting to know each creative kid!

My group specifically loves to have a picnic on their towels during lunch instead of sitting at the table which I think is really cool. One camper said to me: 'I love Usdan because I get to spend my summer outdoors instead of just being inside.' which really stuck with me.

Being a leader has taught me many valuable skills for working with children, and I'm so glad I get to be a part of this program."

— Charlie R., Leader, grade 10

Discovery counselor teaching a Discovery student how to draw, 2026

SAVE THE DATE: RETURN2U

Mark your calendars! Return2U for 2027 enrollment opens Wednesday, July 22.

Return2U is an early enrollment program for returning students and their siblings that locks in the best possible tuition rate. It’s an opportunity to promise your child another inspiring summer full of boundless creativity, play, and friendship amidst the wonder of 140-acres of natural beauty.

Do you have any Usdan news we should know about? Write to us at media@usdan.org or tag us on Instagram @usdanarts, and we may feature it in our next newsletter or on our social channels!

Class	Session	Major/Minor
Festival Showrunners: Usher, Host & Capture!	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Recreational Camp	1-Week Rec Camp	Major
Chess	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor and Recreational Activity
Performance: Children’s Theater	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Performance: Musical Theater	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Performance: The Usdan Troupe	8-Week	Major
Theater Skills: Improvisation & Theater Games	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Theater Skills: The Actor Sings	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Archery	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
U Time	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Yoga	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Nature, Ecology & Design	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Seed to Snack: Edible Gardening	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Absolute Beginner Guitar Minor	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Absolute Beginner Piano Minor	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Chamber Ensemble	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Composition: Classical Music	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Composition: Intro to DJ Basics and the History of Hip-Hop	4-Week A	Minor
Composition: Songwriting	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Concert Band	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Guitar Minor (1-2 Years of Experience)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Jazz Ensemble (Major)	4-Week A	Major
Jazz Ensemble (Minor)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Junior Piano Major (3+ Years of Experience)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Junior Vocal Ensemble	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Orchestra	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Piano Minor (1-2 Years of Experience)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor
Senior Piano Major (4+ Years of Experience)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Senior Vocal Ensemble	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Ballet	4-Week A	Major
Broadway Jazz Dance	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Choreography	4-Week B	Major
Dance Adventure	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Hip Hop Dance (Major)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Hip Hop Dance (Minor)	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Tap Dance	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Creative Writing	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Creative Writing: Playwriting	4-Week B	Minor
Art Adventure	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Beginner Painting	4-Week B	Minor
Ceramics	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Comic Art	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Jewelry Making: Mixed Media	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
LEGO™ Construction	4-Week A 4-Week B	Minor and Recreational Activity
Painting & Drawing	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Photography	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major and Minor
Portfolio Development	4-Week A	Minor
Sculpture	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Sewing & Fashion Design	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major
Discovery	4-Week A 4-Week B	Major