Current alerts
No uncooked produce while the cyclospora outbreak lasts and until we’re back from the hospital — besides oranges and bananas (things where you don’t eat or cut through a potentially contaminated surface). Frozen fruits & veggies for smoothies are OK.
Masks outside when air quality is above 100. Kid masks are in the hall closet below the hall window, in the plastic drawer at the lower right.
Morning
- Wakes up around 6:30/7. Needs encouragement to get through the morning steps on time (ideally gets dressed first, eats before brushing teeth, needs to brush teeth well for 2 min).
- Likes toast w/ butter & honey or jam, or a smoothie for breakfast (ideal for nutrients; ingredients are in the freezer, Nutribullet is in the right lower cabinet); will usually eat eggs.
Afternoon
Doesn’t nap. On weekends only, can watch or play games on the iPad after 12pm. Two hours total for the day (so if she wants movie night, she has to save time for it and limit early iPad use to 30 min).
Bedtime
~7:30pm. Gets vitamins & inhaler.
- Vitamins will be prepared in the vitamin dispenser on the counter.
- Needs 2 puffs of her Breyna inhaler before brushing teeth.
- Gets a checkmark if she does all the steps in 10 min (once vitamins are given) and another if she does that by 7:30. (She needs a new checklist.)
- Needs water by the bedside or will call out during the night.
- Light on until she’s asleep — we’ve recently started turning it off after she’s asleep. If she wakes, she needs company to come out of her room at night; she is scared.
Monitors
- The video monitor can only have sound on one screen. We now also have audio monitors (Motorola) for both rooms; the parent device listens to both rooms. Press and hold the center button to turn a device on or off.
- Charge every day: both the video and audio monitors need charging — plug them into their USB-C cords each morning.
Usdan camp — at a glance
Discovery program (Grades K–1), Session 4-B: Mon Jul 27 – Fri Aug 21, 2026. Weekdays only. Bus 31E. She wears her Usdan nametag every day — write 31E on the back.
Bus & timing
- Morning: pickup 7:55 a.m. at the NE corner of Washington Ave & Atlantic Ave. Have her waiting by ~7:50 (be 10 min early the first day — the bus won’t wait more than 3 min).
- Afternoon: drop-off ~5:15 p.m. at the SW corner of Washington Ave & Atlantic Ave.
- If she’s out sick: call the attendance monitor Gabriele Capacchione, (516) 300-0004, by 7:30 a.m. Bus company (late/missing bus): Huntington Coach, (631) 261-9819.
- Approved to pick her up from the bus: Faye Hays, Joseph Bergen, Malena Seldin, Hanna Layton, Scott Albrecht.
Pack every day
- Usdan nametag
- Lunch — there is no fridge or microwave, so use an insulated bag with a cooler pack
- Snack (required for Discovery)
- Refillable water bottle
- Bathing suit (worn or in her backpack), towel, and a bag for wet clothes
- Extra change of clothes
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Sneakers / closed-toe shoes (lots of walking)
- Poncho or raincoat on rainy days
Label everything with her name. Kids are asked not to share food — many campers have allergies.
Health & meds
- Her daily Breyna inhaler needs doctor’s orders + parent permission on file with Usdan. It may travel on the bus with its original prescription label and be handed to the Health Office on arrival.
- Make sure her health report notes any allergies — the nurse keeps allergen-free ices for the daily end-of-day ice-cream treat.
- Health Office: 631.643.7900 ext 125 · healthoffice@usdan.org
A typical day
10:00 Class 1 · 10:40 snack · 11:00 Class 2 · 12:00 swim · 1:00 lunch / counselor time · 2:00 Class 3 · 3:00 ice cream & bus. First day: Discovery counselors meet the kids off the bus and walk them to the McKinley Amphitheater — she’s escorted the whole way.
Dates to know
- Mon Jul 27 — first day
- Thu Aug 20, 11:00 a.m. — Discovery Performance at the McKinley Amphitheater, followed by the Art Exhibition & Pizza Party (RSVP)
- Fri Aug 21 — last day
Photos
- Waldo photo gallery — download the app, join code usdanpics26
- Her group has a private Instagram (account info comes in the welcome packet)
- Discovery office: 631.643.7900 · discovery@usdan.org
- Bus questions: bus@usdan.org
- Campus: 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798
- Weather / emergencies: usdan.org, or text #emergency26 to 631.646.1677
Leave at home
Usdan is a device-free campus — no phone, tablet, or smartwatch, and no valuables or extra money.
Medical — asthma
If she has asthma trouble: use the oximeter (on the counter); if oxygen level is below 92, take to the ER. Otherwise, call the pediatrician — you can give the albuterol inhaler (different from the Breyna she gets daily).