As of August 14, 2024

Visionary

• Andrea Pollack & Adam Usdan 
• Jeffrey Schoenfeld 
• Esme Usdan & James Snyder 
• Eva, John, Sam, Simon & Josh Usdan 

Innovator 

• Annette & Anthony Albanese Foundation
• Marilyn & Russell Albanese 
• Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP 
• Renee, Jason, Jillian & Nicholas Lista
• Suzanne & Bob Nederlander, Jr. 

Sustainer 

• Fox Rothschild LLP
• The Klipper Family Foundation 

Collaborator

• Robert Bachner

Artist

• Arnhold Foundation | Jody and John Arnhold
• Laura Granelli & Eric Gerde
• Debra & Dale Lewis 
• Lorraine and Daniel Miller
• Suffolk Transportation Service

Discoverer

• Brown & Brown of Garden City, Inc.
• Agnes Gund
• Innovision Advertising
• Lillian Jagendorf & Dan Shannon 
• Louis & Kathleen Lista 
• Michele Lowe
• Carol & Steven Sokol 
• The Tarica Family | Little Sun Foundation​
• Chaeri & Dylan Tornay 

Raffle Sponsors

• College Audition Pros
• Jonathan’s Restaurant
• Smusht Port Washington
• Theodore’s Books

ALL DAY
Open Studios in Art
In Studio Performances in Dance, Theater, and Music
Studio Visits throughout campus

PLUS
Raffles
Community Art Project
and More!

10:00 a.m.
Sr. Violin/Viola/Bass/Cello Performance
Sr. Flute Performance
Sr. Piano Major Performance
Sr. Saxophone/Clarinet Performance
Jr. Piano Minor Performance
Jr. Absolute Beginner Guitar Performance
Jr. Creative Writing Minor Open Studio
Playwriting Major Open Studio

10:30 a.m.
“Better Than A Bully” Dress Rehearsal

11:05 a.m.
Sr. Fashion Show
Jr. Absolute Beginner Piano Performance
Jr. Guitar Performance

11:55 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
B.Y.O. Lunch

12:10 p.m. & 12:35 p.m.
Festival Performance: Student Dance

1:15 p.m.
Jr. Piano Major Performance
Sr. Piano Minor Performance
Classical Composition Minor Performance
Sr. Creative Writing Minor Open Studio

1:30 p.m.
“Free to Be You and Me” Performance
“Better Than A Bully” Dress Rehearsal

2:15 p.m.
Jr. Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass Performance
Jr. Flute Performance
Sr. Absolute Beginner Piano Performance
Songwriting Composition Minor Performance
Sr. Creative Writing Minor Open Studio

2:25 p.m.
Jr. Fashion Show
Jr. Saxophone/Clarinet Performance
Sr. Guitar Performance

3:05 p.m.
Ice Cream

Accessibility
If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please reach out to Alice Clancy at aclancy@usdan.org. We are striving to make the event welcoming for all, but the forested campus does present some unique mobility challenges. We’ll have golf carts available to assist with any transportation needs; you’ll receive a map with their route at Check-In.

Entering Camp & Parking
Please bring your Access Pass and a form of ID (i.e. drivers license). For those without an Access Pass, you will provide your name at the Security Booth. For the quickest way for your guests to enter campus, give your guests a copy of your Access Pass.

If you are bringing guests and have not yet provided their names to us, please email Kyra Leeds at development@usdan.org with their first and last names.
You will be directed to either the parking lot by The Shed or the Administration Building upon arrival. We strongly encourage you to carpool with family/friends whenever possible.

Please prepare to arrive at least 30 minutes before a scheduled performance or studio visit to leave time to park, check-in and walk to your first location.

Train Shuttle / Pick Up & Departures
We are providing a shuttle between Usdan bus lot and the 7-Eleven next to the Wyandanch LIRR Station.

Pick-ups and departures align with train times:

• Wyandanch Station Pick-Ups – look for a school bus at the 7-Eleven on Westbound platform side (you need to take the stairs over the tracks to get there):

• For trains leaving from Penn Station, Grand Central, and Atlantic Terminal, shuttle pick up times at the 7-Eleven at Wyandanch are as follows: 8:40am; 9:40am, 10:40am & 11:40am.

• Usdan shuttle departures from Usdan’s bus lot to Wyandanch LIRR Station: 11:20am, 1:20pm, 2:20pm & 3:45pm.

Check-In, Beginning at 10am
All guests must check in at the designated check-in tables upon arrival at The Oval or The Shed. You will be asked to provide your name. At check-in, you’ll be given an event map with important locations and a schedule of events for the day. Please note, if you are driving, this check-in process is in addition to checking in at the security booth when you first arrive in your vehicle.

If you are bringing guests and have not yet provided their names to us, please email Kyra Leeds at development@usdan.org  with their first and last names.

Parents/Guardians of Campers & Student Sign-Out
If you are planning to take your child home instead of them riding the bus, you MUST sign them out before leaving the campus. Student sign-out will be available at The Oval, The Shed, the Administration Building, or the Art Village.

You may sign your child out at any point during the event. Any child who is not following their normal camp schedule and instead staying with you on campus throughout the duration of the event will receive a wristband, indicating that they are under your supervision.

Please bring your child’s schedule with you. If you don’t have it or need it resent, please email enrollment@usdan.org. You are welcome to follow your child’s schedule for the day or venture to other departments to check out what all of our students have been creating this summer. To view the full event schedule, please click here.

What to Wear/Bring
-Think: high heat + fun + festive + practical.

-Expect to get your steps in – wear comfortable shoes.

–Please bring your own lunch. Meals will not be provided. But we will have ice cream for everyone at the end of the day!

-Weather: The U Benefit will take place rain or shine. Please dress accordingly.

-Prepare for the sun: Sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhats, water bottle, and insect repellant are strongly encouraged. The campus includes misters and water bottle filling stations. We do not sell beverages or have vending machines on campus.

– The pools will only be open for current students as part of their regularly scheduled swim time.

 

 

What is the U Benefit?

-The U Benefit is a special event, in conjunction with our regular camp day, that provides the opportunity to spend the day at Usdan and engage with the art and beauty of our campus, just like our students do. All departments are activated that day and our students’ work is showcased in various forms (performances, exhibitions, a fashion show, and more). It’s a fun-filled day with tons of activities (like raffles and a community art project) and a chance to experience the magic of Usdan firsthand.

-Families are encouraged to follow their students’ schedules for the day and see what they have been creating/enjoying this summer.

Do I need to register? How do I get tickets?

-Thanks to our generous sponsors, tickets are free for our families and community. ALL GUESTS MUST REGISTER at benefit.usdan.org so we can plan for your attendance. Families do NOT need to register their current students, only visitors.

-Sponsorship opportunities are available through August for those that are interested. Contact Jessica Liss Feuer for more details, jliss@usdan.org.

I would like to make a donation. How can I do so?

-Donations of any size are deeply appreciated, but not required to attend this event. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Usdan’s mission is to invite people of all ages to experience the natural beauty of our campus and the transformative power of the arts. We rely on the generosity of our community to help us realize this mission and sustain the creativity within all of our students and programs.

-Donations can be made online at benefit.usdan.org or onsite during the event. At check-in, you will receive a pledge card with donation instructions. Thank U!

What is the itinerary for the day?

The entire event runs from 10am-3pm. Guests are welcome to come for some or stay for all. The performance/exhibition schedule for each department is still being finalized. More details will be shared very soon. Here is a general overview of the schedule:

10am-12pm: A wide variety of in-studio performances and exhibitions

11:50am & 12:50pm: BYO Picnic lunch – all guests must bring their own lunch this year. Meals will not be provided as we prioritize limiting food waste. Ice cream will be served at dismissal for all guests. Students should continue to bring their lunch as usual. Families can eat with their children in each students’ designated lunch area.

12:10pm-12:30pm: Junior Festival

Student Dance

12:35pm-12:55: Senior Festival

Student Dance

1pm-3pm: A wide variety of in-studio performances and exhibitions; ice cream at dismissal

Does my child need a ticket to attend the U Benefit?

-Current students do not need a ticket. All visitors must be registered.

What if I want to sign my child out for the day?

-No problem! There will be sign-out stations throughout campus and you can sign the student out at any time. Any student who is signed out by an authorized guardian will be given a bracelet to wear. The bracelet indicates to Usdan staff that the child(ren) is/are under your supervision.