COVID Update: Summer 2021

Dear Usdan Parents and Caregivers,

We know that some of you still have concerns about whether or not we will be able to run camp safely this summer. While we believe that sending your child to camp should remain a personal family decision, we see a path to safe operation in 2021 and would like to share with you three reasons why.

1. Information, Research, & Time

This summer, we have completely rethought our operations and programs, prioritizing health and safety in the time of COVID. We have learned how to safely operate camp from other camps who ran in 2020, research from the American Camp Association, and guidelines from state and local officials. This includes the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions including mask-wearing at all times. By the time camp opens on June 28, we will have had over a year to review this information and incorporate it into our planning.

2. Our Campus

The Usdan campus is ideal for maximizing safe operations during COVID. Students spend their time outdoors or in open air studios with plenty of ventilation and fresh air. As a day camp, we have no need for a kitchen or for bunks, which have been proven to be high risk spaces for COVID.

3. Faculty & Staff Experience

Many of our faculty have been teaching in person for months and will bring this knowledge with them to camp. Unlike other camps, students at Usdan are directly supervised by adult teachers at all times.