For parents of young children in New York City, summer is a sacred window — a season for freedom, creativity, and becoming. At Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, children in grades K–12 spend their days discovering who they are through music, theater, dance, visual art, writing, nature, and chess guided by teaching artists who believe deeply in the power of creative expression.
Usdan is woven into the fabric of New York’s cultural life: our alumni are leaders of premier arts institutions like The Shed, musicians at major orchestras like LA Phil, and award-winning performers like Natalie Portman. But before they were changemakers, they were kids — arriving each morning ready to make art, feel joy, and belong.
Each day begins close to home and opens into something expansive. Students wake up in their Brooklyn or New York City neighborhoods, then travel to Usdan’s 140-acre wooded campus on Long Island, where they spend their days outdoors, immersed in nature, creativity, and community. It’s a rare and beautiful rhythm: city mornings, forest afternoons, and evenings back at home — grounded, happy, and fulfilled.
Usdan is also a place of connection for students and their families. Children form friendships with peers from their neighborhoods and meet students from across New York City and Long Island. Parents, too, find community — connecting with families who share a love of the arts, curiosity, and a belief in raising thoughtful, expressive, and kind children.
For more than 50 years, Usdan has offered families something enduring and joyful: a summer filled with creativity, peace, love, and the confidence that comes from being fully seen and supported.
A summer arts camp created for young children
Usdan understands that children in early elementary and middle school years learn differently. For students ages 5–11, the goal is not pressure or perfection — it is exploration, confidence, and joy.
Students participate in age-appropriate arts classes led by experienced educators and working artists who know how to guide children with encouragement and care. Whether a child is picking up a paintbrush for the first time, dancing across a studio floor, or singing with a group, the emphasis is always on process, self-expression, and confidence-building.
Parents consistently see the difference. According to Usdan’s Summer 2025 parent survey, 97% of parents said the camp met or exceeded expectations when it came to delivering joy and helping their child come home feeling good.
Building confidence through the arts
Confidence is not taught in a single lesson — it is built day by day. At Usdan, students gain confidence by being encouraged to try new things in an environment where effort is celebrated and mistakes are part of learning.
When children perform in front of peers, share artwork, or contribute ideas in a group project, they begin to trust their own voice. These experiences help children develop resilience, communication skills, and pride in their accomplishments.
That supportive approach shows in parent feedback. In the same Summer 2025 survey, 97% of parents said they agree or strongly agree that their child feels safe and supported at Usdan to fully express themselves.
Professional instruction, student-centered approach Unlike most traditional camps, Usdan’s faculty are all professional artists and trained educators with college and graduate degrees. They specialize in working with children and understand how to balance structure with play, guiding students while allowing space for imagination.
At Usdan, students can explore a variety of disciplines, including:
- Visual Art, with classes such as drawing and painting, sculpture, and comic art
- Music, including composition, jazz ensemble, vocal ensemble, band, orchestra, and piano
- Dance, with styles including ballet, Hip-Hop, and tap
- Theater and Creative Writing, encouraging imagination, collaboration, and self-expression
Students are grouped by age, ensuring that each child feels comfortable, included, and appropriately challenged.
A campus that feels like an adventure
For New York City children, simply being surrounded by nature can feel like a summer gift. Usdan’s campus offers a setting that encourages curiosity and independence while remaining safe and supervised.
As a device-free campus, Usdan gives children a rare opportunity to unplug from screens and fully engage with their surroundings, creativity, and peers. Throughout the day, students move between
open-air studios, shaded paths and recreation spaces, enjoying arts classes alongside swimming, games, and recreational activities that provide them with exercise, and help them relax and connect with friends.
Daily Festival Performances bring the community together every afternoon to watch performances by fellow students and professional artists from around the world. These shared experiences help young students learn how to be part of an audience, appreciate the breadth of creativity, and feel inspired by others.
Easy access for NYC families Usdan remains a top choice for New York City parents in part because of its convenience. Daily bus transportation from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens is included in tuition, allowing children to enjoy a full, enriching day at camp and return home late in the afternoon — an ideal option for parents who want a high-quality summer experience without overnight separation.
A community where children feel seen and supported Usdan is grounded in values that prioritize joy, inclusion, and respect. Usdan students encounter a range of artistic voices each day, which creates a powerful message: who you are and how you express yourself matters.
Financial accessibility and family support Usdan is committed to making arts education accessible to families across New York City. Financial aid, scholarships, and flexible payment options help ensure cost is not a barrier to participation. Staff work closely with families to support each child’s experience.
Why parents of young children choose Usdan
Parents of children ages 5–11 often say Usdan offers exactly what they want from a summer camp:
- A joyful, confidence-building environment
- Professional arts instruction without competitive pressure
- Daily transportation from NYC
- Screen-free campus
- A safe space where children feel supported, surrounded by nature and experience noticeable emotional growth by summer’s end
Children return home more independent, more expressive, and more confident — qualities that support success in school and beyond. We continually hear from our 45,000+ alumni that Usdan shaped them for the better, regardless of their career path.
Enroll for a summer of confidence and joy Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts offers four- and eight-week sessions for students currently in grades K–12, and a one-week Recreational camp for children currently in grades 2–8.
For NYC parents seeking a summer arts camp for children ages 5–11 that builds confidence, nurtures creativity, and prioritizes joy and emotional well-being, Usdan sets the standard.
