Recreational Arts

Usdan is deeply committed to inspiring a lifelong appreciation of the arts, a deep connection to our natural environment, and a healthy self.

The Recreational Arts program augments Usdan’s core mission to support campers’ creative development by encouraging physical fitness and an appreciation of the natural world. This comprehensive approach to our children’s creative, spiritual, and physical development makes Usdan unique among camps in our region. Set in an idyllic woodland forest, our campus spaces are joined together by walking paths and are designed for optimal enjoyment of fresh air and natural light. Across campus, students can enjoy nature walks, splash in two large outdoor swimming pools, play sports on multiple playing fields, as well as practice yoga and archery.

Each day, students spend a dedicated period enjoying a Recreational Activity of their choice. Each of these activities, with the exception of Recreational Swim, can also be chosen as a Minor.

2020 Recreational Arts classes

Archery; Beginner Tennis; Free Swim & Poolside Games; Gaga & Basketball; Instructional Swim & Poolside Games; Quidditch; Tennis; Yoga.

(Each of these classes can also be selected as a Minor, except for Free Swim.)

2019 Faculty

Gaga and Basketball, Lead Teacher

Karina Aristy

Karina Aristy is a musician and private string instructor. She first began attending Usdan as a student in 2007 and is now counselor in the camp’s Recreation department. She earned her Usdan Lifer Award in 2017 and enjoys helping Usdan students develop lifelong experiences and friendships in a fun and safe recreational environment.

Aquatics, Lead Teacher

Sean Clark

Quidditch, Lead Teacher

Steve Ficurilli

Yoga, Lead Teacher

Edna Gruvman

Edna Gruvman is a dancer, yoga instructor, movement therapist, and proud Usdan alum. For the last decade, Edna has used dance and movement to support children with autism, and taught yoga to young people. Edna danced professionally with contemporary troupes prior to becoming an educator. She is the lead yoga instructor at Usdan.

Aquatics, Director

Gráinne Josaphat

Gráinne Josaphat is Usdan’s Aquatics Director and a multi-sport teacher, coach, and athlete. Passionate about sport, health, and fitness since her youth in Ireland, Gráinne is a full-time Health and Wellness Educator and track coach locally. She competes as a triathlete across the country and internationally.

Tennis, Lead Teacher

David Lake

Archery, Assistant Teacher

Benjamin Prisamt

Archery, Assistant Teacher

Nicholas Coacci

Archery, Lead Teacher

Anthony Romeo

Anthony M. Romeo II is a music educator with nearly 30 years experience and a certified archery instructor. Anthony’s gift for teaching now inspires students daily at Seaford High School, where he serves as Director of Bands. As lead archery instructor at Usdan, Anthony is a USA Archery Level II Instructor and participates in archery societies and programming across New York state

Gaga and Basketball, Assistant Teacher

Alycia Williams

Quidditch, Assistant Teacher

Michael LaMarca

Tennis, Lead Teacher

Tyler Moore

Departments

Art

Campers love Usdan’s summer art programs because our diverse class offerings allow for both deep engagement and exploration.

Seventy open-air studios dot the forested campus and create a sense of flow and community among artists. Each studio is tailored to its medium with materials, equipment and software. Studios feature large skylights, as well as courtyards that take advantage of natural light and the inspiration of nature, which is a distinguishing feature of Usdan’s summer art programs. Throughout the summer, campers can visit the campus art gallery which mounts student, faculty, and visiting-artist exhibitions.

2020 MAJORS

Animation; Art Adventure; Ceramics; Comic Art; Cosplay; Metalsmithing; Painting & Drawing; Photography; Sculpture; Sculpture & Ceramics; Sewing & Fashion Design.

2020 MINORS

Comic Art; Lego Design; Painting & Drawing; Photography;

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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Chess

Usdan’s chess summer camp program follows the principles of the National Scholastic Chess Foundation and is uniquely designed to meet the needs of each student, whether they are new to chess or are experienced competitors. The Usdan Chess Ladder groups students in varying levels, from absolute novices to advanced tournament players. New players learn rules, notation, and the opening, middle, and end games. Advanced players develop a vast repertoire of complex strategies and the ability to apply them shrewdly in-game. All of our chess players benefit from improved problem solving, critical thinking, and concentration. Students hone their skills through game-play and tutoring in competitive chess tournaments and exciting team competitions. Individual and group lessons are conducted by highly-ranked tournament players with decades of experience. A major highlight of our chess summer camp is that celebrated chess masters come to Usdan to serve as guest teachers and share their expertise with our young players.

For more detailed information, please visit our Classes page.

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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Creative Writing

Creative Writing at Usdan takes full advantage of New York City’s pool of exceptional writers to lead our summer creative writing programs. Our faculty is comprised of accomplished authors who are also experienced in nurturing students in the discipline and art of writing.

Whether their preferred form is poetry, plays, short stories, novels, or non-fiction, our young storytellers get to practice their writing in small, collaborative groups. Working in peaceful, open air writing studios, our writers build imaginative narratives and find their creative voices, while experimenting with the core elements of storytelling like style, structure, setting, point of view, conflict and resolution. One vital element of our teaching involves encouraging our students to experience empathy, both as an ingredient and a result of their writing practice. Finally, all writing students gain invaluable editorial experience by shaping and contributing their works to a new installment of Usdan’s literary magazine, Painting with Words.

2020 Majors

Creative Writing; Making Magic & Monsters;

2020 Minors

Creative Writing; Performance Poetry & Podcasting;

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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Dance

In our summer dance program, our dancers study technique, classic repertory, and original choreography with nationally renowned dancers and choreographers. We offer classes across a wide range of styles and traditions, including contemporary dance, ballet, jazz, hip hop, funk and tap.

Instruction at our dance camp is rigorous, caring and fun. Our studios are spacious and mirrored, with soft floors and generous skylights that give an open-air effect. Each class culminates in a freshly choreographed dance performance for the entire community, including friends and family, in the dance department studios or on Usdan’s main stage.

Ranking Model

Students participating in the Dance Department will rank their class choices according to the listed offerings. On the enrollment form, students will be asked to rank their first, second, and third choice for their major, minor or recreational activity. After review in late January, Usdan will announce Dance class offerings based on student interest. A placement form will be sent after enrollment. Usdan staff will try to place students in their top ranked class, however, it may not always be possible based on levels and scheduling.

Please note, Junior students, with the exception of 4th graders, who choose to major in Dance will have two classes to rank instead of three.

Junior Majors (2nd-3rd)

Dance Adventure
Choreography

Junior Majors (4th)

Dance Adventure
Contemporary Forms
Choreography

Junior Majors (5th & 6th)

Contemporary Forms
Choreography

Senior Majors (6th-12th)

Contemporary Forms
Choreography
Ballet
Hip Hop
Ballet/Hip Hop

Junior Minors (2nd-6th)

Tap
Broadway Jazz
Contemporary Forms
West African Fusion
Hip Hop

Senior Minors (6th-12th)

Tap
Broadway Jazz
Contemporary Forms
West African Fusion
Hip Hop

2020 MAJORS

Ballet; Ballet/Hip Hop; Choreography; Contemporary Forms; Dance Adventure; Hip Hop;

2020 MINORS

Broadway Jazz; Contemporary Forms; Hip Hop; Tap; West African Fusion; Yoga.

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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Music

Usdan's celebrated music program features four orchestras, four bands, two choruses, chamber and jazz ensembles, rock bands, and instruction in strings, brass, reeds, woodwind, and percussion. Piano, guitar, and ukulele students work on technique and perspective through individual and ensemble practice and performance. With classes for absolute beginners to advanced students, budding musicians of every level can find a place for themselves in our music department. Musicians will have unique opportunities to work and collaborate with contemporary composers and artists-in-residence.

Classes, rehearsals, and performances take place in studios sized for each group and specialty. Throughout the summer, our music students have opportunities to present their summer’s work to family, friends, and the entire Usdan community. Select performances will take place in the McKinley Amphitheater.

2020 MAJORS

Advanced Jazz Ensemble; Concert Band (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Saxophone, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Percussion); Guitar; Intermediate Piano; Intermediate/Advanced Piano; Instrumental Ensemble: Traditional Classical Chamber; Instrumental Ensemble: Contemporary Classical Chamber; Instrumental Ensemble: Jazz Ensemble; Instrumental Ensemble: Silent Film Orchestra; Instrumental Ensemble: Rock Band; Jazz Ensemble (Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drum Set, Piano); Junior Chamber Ensemble; Orchestra (Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass); Vocal Ensemble;

2020 MINORS

Absolute Beginner Brass; Absolute Beginner Guitar; Absolute Beginner Lower Strings; Absolute Beginner Piano; Absolute Beginner Ukulele; Absolute Beginner Upper Strings; Absolute Beginner Woodwind; Advanced Beginner Piano; Chamber Music (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Saxophone, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass, Piano); Guitar & Songwriting; Jazz Ensemble (Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drum Set, Piano); Rock Band; Senior Vocal Ensemble.

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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Nature

In our hands-on nature program, students study the art of planting, growing and cultivating food by caring for Usdan’s own fruit and vegetable gardens. Exploring the flora and fauna in Usdan’s idyllic woodland forest allows students to understand the delicate relationships at the heart of Long Island’s vibrant local ecosystem. In an innovative course on sustainable art, students are challenged to combine art, science and empathy to identify creative and sustainable solutions to pressing environmental problems. Students also care for the Nature Department's pet snakes, lizards, and tortoise.

2020 Majors

Nature, Ecology & Design; Sustainable Design.

2020 Minors

Nature, Ecology & Design; Garden to Table.

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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Discovery

Play and exploration are at the heart of Discovery, where children enjoy music, art, dance and swim multiple times a week. Rather than select a major and minor, Discovery students experience a special multi-disciplinary program tailored for their age group. Discovery students experience the arts through hands-on practice with Usdan's esteemed faculty. Each class is led by a minimum of four adults who provide individualized attention and support.

Throughout the summer, Discovery campers attend select Festival Performances performed by professional and student artists. In addition to the core program, additional activities draw from Usdan's diverse offerings such as theater, nature, archery, chess and photography. With the Discovery Center as a base, campers explore the arts together in small groups with dedicated college-age counselors to guide them throughout their adventurous day.

Children from all over the New York metropolitan area choose Usdan’s Discovery program because it is a singular summer arts camp for kids who share a common love for the arts.

Typical Day
9:30 a.m. : Children are helped off of their bus by one of the Discovery counselors
10:05 a.m. : Music
10:45 a.m. : Snack
11:05 a.m. : Art
12:00 p.m. : Swim
1:00 p.m. : Lunch / Supervised Play
2:05 p.m. : Discovery Period*
3:00 p.m. : Ice Cream and children are brought back to their buses

* The "Discovery Period" is an activity that is scheduled weekly such as theatre or a scheduled visit to one of the junior/senior classes such as chess, archery, or sewing.

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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Recreational Arts

Each day, students spend a dedicated period enjoying a Recreational Activity of their choice. Each of these activities, with the exception of Recreational Swim, can also be chosen as a Minor.

2020 Recreational Arts classes

Archery; Beginner Tennis; Free Swim & Poolside Games; Gaga & Basketball; Instructional Swim & Poolside Games; Quidditch; Tennis; Yoga.

(Each of these classes can also be selected as a Minor, except for Free Swim.)

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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Theater

The dynamic hub of the Usdan theater program is the extraordinary Lemberg Drama Center, which includes an air-conditioned indoor theater, two outdoor theaters, and rehearsal studios, as well as costume, prop, and set shops. With offerings in both drama and musical theater, our students have several opportunities to experience the full of cycle of staging and performing a play or musical throughout the summer. Recent productions include Into the Woods, Frog and Toad, Finian’s Rainbow, and Oliver!

High-school aged students may audition for The Usdan Troupe which presents one fully staged musical production every year. Former company members describe it as "summer stock theater for teens."

2020 MAJORS

Curtain Up; Drama Lab; Musical Theater; Musical Theater Adventure; Theater Tech Workshop; The Usdan Troupe.

2020 MINORS

Improvisation; Performance Poetry & Podcasting (also listed under Creative Writing).

For detailed class descriptions, please visit our Classes page.

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