Blog

Recently I find myself considering that in some ways 2026 is a great moment in history to be a kid. It has become very clear that the future will not be the past, and what is come must be shaped by the visions of young people today. At Usdan, I see how creative immersion empowers our students to see themselves as agents of change in uncertain environments. Remembering how powerful these experiences can be makes me more excited than ever to be planning the impact of Summer 2027.

After summer ends, people often ask me: What do you do in the off-season? The easy answer is: We stay busy! While September feels a little quieter on campus, by October, Usdan is buzzing again.

I once saw a sign that read: "The EARTH without ART is just EH." As we have been dealing with challenging weather this summer, I find myself thinking often of this slogan. A memory of this week could be of a torrential downpour or could be of music echoing between dewy trees, a photograph of an emerging mushroom, or a poem describing nature's vastness.

Usdan summers move quickly. In just three weeks, students are already showcasing inspiring artwork, performing in full length Theater productions and at Festival, and publishing a weekly Comic-Art zine. Next week, these student exhibitions culminate during our biggest fundraiser of the year.

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.