Usdan Responds to Fire on Campus with Launch of The Reimagine Fund

On Tuesday, August 14, a lightning strike sparked the blaze that damaged several buildings in the Visual Arts area of the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts Wheatley Heights campus. No one was injured, and no students were affected as camp had concluded its 50th Anniversary season the previous Friday. In response to the damage sustained during the storm, Usdan just announced the launch of The Reimagine Fund – a new campaign designed to gather financial support to rebuild the lost buildings and to upgrade the camp’s overall infrastructure.

“I was awed as I visited the damaged studios to see that, through the charred remains, spiders had begun spinning webs and butterflies explored the new terrain,” says Lauren Brandt Schloss, executive director of Usdan. “Now, as we begin to see the leaves turning red and gold, I am confident in nature’s ability to renew and Usdan’s promise to inspire. I’m so thankful for the support of our community and know that, together, we can not just rebuild, but reimagine and continue to grow a place where kids draw from nature and their own creativity to be who they really are.”

To learn more and to donate to The Reimagine Fund, please visit the Usdan website.

Usdan is a summer camp for the arts built on the dream of young artists exploring their creativity and individuality in a natural environment. Offering over 100 classes in disciplines from dance and art to music, theater and chess, to writing and recreation, Usdan continues to pursue its mission to help children ages 4 through 18 to “lose themselves for a summer and find themselves for a lifetime.” Usdan provides more than $1 million in need and merit-based scholarships to children all over the NY Metro area.