This week, we were reminded of a core reason why camp is important for our children: At Usdan, students feel meaningfully connected to a community of children and adults who share their passion for the arts.

After over a year of isolation, camp offers children a sense of belonging and helps their physical and emotional wellbeing. Usdan aims to cultivate a safe space for campers to develop empathy, resilience, independence, and collaboration alongside their artistry.

Communities at Usdan can take many forms: music and dance ensembles, theater casts, artist collaborators, chess teams, nature explorers, the campus as a whole, and more.

If you walked around campus this week, here are some examples you would have seen that highlight Usdan's commitment to fostering a sense of community for all:

• Words of encouragement from parents and faculty were posted to the Green Sign: Be curious. Enjoy nature. Take artistic risks.
• Dance students shared what they had been working on and peers showed their support at our first student Festival performance of the year.
• Usdan's Sustainable Design Major installed misters throughout camp to help their fellow campers and staff stay cool.
• Our awesome Maintenance Team worked constantly to keep the campus safe and litter-free.
• Young musicians self-directed one another in one of our Instrumental Ensembles.
• Students made dance cyphers, one group standing in a circle and taking turns dancing in the middle.
• Multiple Nature Recreational Activity groups built a teepee structure with found wood, group after group contributing.
• Musical Theater Performance students were cast in their roles.
• All around campus, connections and friends were made.
• Our 2021 U was announced by the four students who designed it — their fellow students cheered with delight.

WEEK 2 IN MEDIA

CAMP SHOTS

Usdan's photographer travels around the campus daily attempting to capture every studio. In addition to photos shared in our Newsletter and on Instagram, we will share a photo of every cohort with parents and caregivers. 

WHAT DO YOU HEAR AT USDAN?

Each day this week, Usdan's Executive Director, Lauren Brandt Schloss, asked the students to describe what they heard. Enjoy listening to their perspectives below and reading a poem inspired by what they expressed.

 

Sounds of Usdan

When you’re at Usdan,
what sounds 
do you hear?

something melodious,
like the chords of
a piano, or
two.

“LOTS of bugs”
“well, what do those
sound like?"
“likes bees,
wasps, 
BZZZZZZZZZ!”

“birds tweeting,
a lot of nature sounds,
blushing, rushing,
rustling wind
against the trees”

interludes of 
instrumental music
maybe even a tune
you recognize
from long ago

“plops of water
hitting the ground”
something we all felt
in Elsa’s wake
this morning 

leaves rustling
people talking
lawnmowers,
But when not
the sounds of lawnmowers
the chipmunks rustling
about the campus

when I’m at Usdan
I hear things that make me 
want to sing, or
dance, or even draw
to put pen to paper
and discover every
beautiful feeling 
I’m feeling.

Calendar Highlights: Week 3

Here is what's coming up next week!

Wednesday, July 14

Festival Student Performance: Music | 12:10pm & 1:40pm

Studios Performing at 12:10pm
M3
M13
M10
M20 (Strings only)

Studios Performing at 1:40pm
M10
M20

Family members of musicians are welcome to attend. We can allow 3 family members per student performing. The performance will also be live streamed on our website. 

Friday, July 16

Festival Guest Artist Performance: The Dolo Project | 12:10pm, 12:35pm & 1:40pm

Announcing our 2021 U (Below)!

Thank you to our designers:

Penina Charry

Sara Rosenthal

Madalyn Duffy

Alexandra Schweber

See U next week!