Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts — Local services in Town of Huntington

Good idea, well executed, but bad apples spoil the bunch...

So I, remaining anonymous for obvious reasons have attended usdan recently and while I love most of the staff there there are some specific areas of the camp that are less than acceptable. These issues are caused by some incompetent deans with anger management issues and staff that would probably be happier yelling at some poor store employee for an issue that's out of their control. While I love the music programs that the camp offers, it's too bad your not allowed to express yourself by sharing your music with others during recreational periods of free time. Staff can blame you for the smallest things that you never did for example someone moves you bag to sit next to you and they see your phone in it. They then go to you in front of all of your friends to yell at you and make a show about writing your name down while it's not even being used ( which you are not allowed to do at usdan so good luck making life long friends when you can't extanger numbers without some disgruntled angry manager hunting Karen hunting you down) there are some amazing staff members that make the day there so much better. However this is not the reason for the one star review. Recently usdan becomes stricter and stricter and the employee clearly hate all children and just want us to sit down and act like perfect puppets on a mechanical stage. This is supposed to be a creative space where you are free to express yourself however it is hard to do when you tell someone a joke and they laugh too loud and then you and the other person are scrutinized for it. It is really hard to turn a blind eye on this because it really does feel like the staff are out to get you... Even when you have done nothing wrong. During the summer, students should have some time off from the rigid structure of their monotonous school days but when your in a SUMMER CAMP it should not continue to feel like school. When all the staff expects pure conformity there is no more room for student creativity.

Basically if you plan on relaxing, not the summer camp. If you enjoy being bossed around by people with no other hobbies than harassing children for fun then this is the place for you...

And a note to usdan, please learn from this review and change your ways. Let us be, and please address these few characters (specifically in u time) and address these issues. I can basically boil it down to two people who are in the u time area during the end of the day who I will not name for sake of personally harming. I will most likely not come back to this camp as it has really disintegrated from recent years, but please...

Where do I start? I am having a difficult time finding a word that encapsulates the experience at USDAN, so I'll just say it's USDAN. My son, Bryce, actually found the camp two years ago after searching the internet for a camp where he can play his instruments during the summer. We signed him up and now he absolutely LOVES USDAN! He has learned more about his instruments during his first summer with USDAN than he learned cumulatively in his prior two years playing instruments. The children perform professional level concerts in their beautiful amphitheater. My son is free to express his artistic abilities in any way, whether it be with music, art, cooking or interacting with nature. The campus, which is huge and located at the beginning of Suffolk County, Long Island, makes you feel like you are upstate New York. It is truly a magical place! The administration and staff at USDAN ensures that every moment of the childrens' experience is thoughtful and meaningful. The other students at USDAN are so caring and supportive. Bryce has made some great friends at USDAN. Everyone that I have ever spoken to about USDAN feels the same way as me! I am so lucky to have found USDAN. Thank you USDAN for the unique, warm, and creative place that you provide to my son. He considers USDAN a second home (if not...

“To be completely honest, at first I didn’t want to go to Usdan. My mom said “Hey, let’s try this camp.” And I said “Hey! Lets not.” But she dragged me to the car and we went to checkout the campus and take the tour. And maybe it was the bright sunny day, or the giant empty pool, or the really cool stages and sets, but as soon as I went through the tour I knew this was the place for me. This camp has allowed me to grow and develop new skills in theatrics and has immensely improved my singing and vocal capability. And my confidence for that matter. But I think the best aspect about this camp, was the strong bond I formed with my directors and cast mates. Within two months I had developed a relationship with the cast of ‘Titanic: The Musical’ that I didn’t think possible. Every morning I would wake up, excited, knowing that I would spend the day preforming and doing what I love, with friends that I love. And that’s what makes Usdan great, it’s not just the fun activities or the shows or the ice cream, it’s the people. The friendships, the bonds, the happiness, the...