ABOUT USDAN
Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1968 that provides arts education in a camp setting, where fun, creativity, and learning intermingle freely in the beautiful outdoors.
Our goal is to instill in our community a desire and drive to contribute creatively to the world now and for the rest of their lives.

Each summer, teachers and artists — actors, directors, playwrights, painters, sculptors, musicians, composers, dancers, poets, and novelists — come together to teach and collaborate with our campers, grades K –12. Set on 140 acres of natural beauty in Wheatley Heights, Long Island, NY, Usdan is a safe, welcoming place within which campers have the freedom to build new friendships, explore nature, gain personal independence, and have fun, while developing new skills and techniques in their chosen artforms.

At Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, our students’ safety, growth, and happiness are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to share that we are officially an ACA Accredited camp — a mark that shows our commitment to the highest standards of student health and safety.

POSITION SUMMARY
Over a 4- or 8 -week course of study Lead Teachers design subject -specific curricula and deliver instruction while assessing student progress. Lead Teachers work with a camp full of arts and education professionals to support a diverse body of students. Passionate artists and educators make the best Usdan Teachers. Successful candidates seek rigorous exploration of ideas, have a willingness to try new things, and welcome feedback. They are adaptable, both in and out of the classroom. They are interested in collaboration with other faculty members within and across disciplines. Perhaps most importantly, successful candidates consistently demonstrate empathy and respect for children and colleagues.

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to work in an outdoor camp environment and communicate with students and other staff effectively. Usdan provides staff with protocols and instructional philosophy at the beginning of the season that they are expected to read and follow. At the same time, Usdan staff understand that new challenges may arise during the camp season and often work together to problem -solve and determine solutions as we go.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead Teachers work with a camp full of arts and education professionals to support a diverse body of students.
• Passionate artists and educators make the best Usdan Teachers.
• Successful candidates seek rigorous exploration of ideas, have a willingness to try new things, and welcome feedback.
• They are adaptable, both in and out of the classroom. They are interested i n collaboration with other faculty members within and across disciplines. Perhaps most importantly, successful candidates consistently demonstrate empathy and respect for children and colleagues.
• Attend department and staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Always have student safety as a top priority.
• Help to create a joyful, fun and engaging atmosphere for all students and staff at Usdan.
• Model the behaviors of artists; how they think, work, and live.
• Other duties as assigned.

The above job description is not intended to be an all -inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Lead Teachers will be expected to follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in your art form, education, or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• 3+ years of prior successful teaching experience.
• An active artistic practice.
• Experience working with children.
• Be able to work individually and as a part of a team.
• Must complete New York State required trainings, including but not limited to a Sexual Harassment Prevention training and a Child Abuse and Neglect/Maltreatment Identification. Links to required trainings will be provided after hiring.
• CPR training is not required but a plus.
• Have reliable transportation to Usdan’s campus. Requests for accommodations are subject to approval by senior management.

2026 SUMMER SEASON DATES AND TIMES
Monday – Friday, June 29 – August 21, 2026, 9:15 A.M. – 3:15 P.M.
Pre -season commitments include:

• New Staff Orientation: Saturday, May 16, 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
• Staff Orientation: Saturday, May 30, 9:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
• Family Orientation: Thursday, June 18, 4:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $8,000 Stipend, at least 25 hours per week in session.
• $25 per hour for trainings .
• Complimentary use of studio space for their own artistic purposes, pre – and post -season, pending availability; semi -weekly use of swimming pool after camp hours; and occasional use of other facilities (e.g. tennis courts).
• Workshops in subjects like yoga, ceramics, and archery with other faculty and staff, if offered.
• Transportation: additional opportunities to serve as a bus monitor, which consists of riding the bus to and from camp and supervising students. Faculty and staff will receive a stipend ($400 -$700).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Usdan is a 140 -acre campus with facilities spread throughout -distances vary and are along uneven surfaces, up and down hills. Some facilities are elevated and require one to two stairs to enter.

Some staff walk an average of two miles per day. Other physical demands include the ability to work in a hot, humid environment; the ability to speak clearly and understand the speech of another person; and the ability to prioritize sounds and focus on one sound among many. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential physical functions of this position.

TO APPLY

• Please apply through our online application: https://www.usdan.org/employment
• PDF files are preferred attachments. No phone calls please.
• Please submit a cover letter.