Dear Usdan Parents & Guardians,
We write today with heavy hearts: Usdan has made the very difficult decision to cancel our in-person camp this summer. We acknowledge the many ways it will impact you and your family.
Both the Administration and Board explored myriad options for running a full season on campus. Ultimately, we decided to cancel in-person camp because we would not be able to provide the Usdan summer our students know and love. We want to thank you for staying engaged with us as we integrated feedback from parents, health care advisors, and other camp professionals.
Many of you wrote in our recent parent survey that your children “can’t wait for the Usdan experience” this summer. As we considered possible new models for camp, it became clear that we would not be able to offer the program your children long for, and for which they all deserve.
Since 1968 our gates have opened to 1,500 campers each summer, to collaborate with and learn from our passionate faculty and most importantly, from each other.
So let us together prioritize our future.
Dream with us a little: instead of allowing this moment to shut down our creativity, what if we leaned into it and embraced its limitations? What new ways could staff and faculty discover to engage with our students?
We are inspired to consider these questions with you. Join us for a Parent & Guardian Town Hall tomorrow evening at 4:00 PM, or Thursday, May 28 at 6:00 PM. You’ll find links to register on our Covid-19 updates page.
On Thursday, May 28, we will write again to present you with options for handling your child’s 2020 tuition. You will be able to receive a full refund of tuition paid. Additionally, you will have the option to leave some or all of your payment as a donation or as a credit for our 2021 season.
We want to make sure your children hear this news from you; so we will wait a day to post the announcement on our social media channels. We have also included a message from Lauren below to play for your campers after you speak with them.
In the coming weeks we plan to host a virtual gathering for students and their parents including a performance by “The Knights.” You will receive a registration link for this event soon.
You and your family are in our thoughts and we are counting the days until we can all be together on campus again.
John Usdan, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
Lauren Brandt Schloss, Executive Director
For more information about community events and resources, please visit our Covid-19 updates page.