Our summer language programs immerse teens in one of 15 languages: Arabic, Chinese, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or Swedish. Our programs are a powerful combination of language immersion and summer camp fun.
We offer a variety of virtual and residential language and cultural immersion camps of varied lengths, including four-week high school and college credit options. Residential opportunities are located in Bemidji, Minn, with authentic architecture, immersion approach and cultural activities.
What to Expect
We welcome language learners of all ability, from beginner to advanced. You will be placed with other learners at your level, and our staff of native and fluent speakers will challenge and engage you no matter what your level.
Whether you choose the virtual or residential option, your experience will be immersive. All of the games you'll play, activities like arts and crafts, music and more, will be authentic to the culture.
Reviews (22)
Great experience. We're going back.
Reviewed
on Jul/01/2016 by Catherine
My daughter loved this camp. The countryside location was scenic and beautiful. Catherine not only improved her language skills, but she also was exposed to Russian culture. She found out she even likes Russian food. The other kids were friendly and fun. Catherine is excited to return for the full four weeks this year.
Better than going overseas!
Reviewed
on Apr/06/2016 by CC
We would enthusiastically recommend CLV! I had attended Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village, back in the 1980s, and our children were able to attend that day camp in 2012. Our son spent a one week session at Skogfjorden, and then has attended two-week sessions at El Lago del Bosque (Spanish) in Bemidji for the past 3 summers. The experience is better than overseas, because everyone around is helping the kids to learn the language, culture, songs, and more! Our son enjoyed the mixed age "family groups" during lunch every day. His counselor even kept the tooth he lost at camp, and dutifully presented it to us during the last day of camp- just like his camp "mom". Scholarships are available. An experience of a lifetime surrounded by such joy and enthusiasm! Highly recommended!
Daughter's favorite camp ever!
Reviewed
on Apr/06/2016 by JWilson
Our daughter attended a 2 week camp at age 15, 4 week Folk High School camp at age 16 and plans to attend the 4 week High School Credit camp this summer, all in Norwegian. This is her favorite camp she has ever attended and she absolutely loves everything about it - the counselors, campers, language learning, activities and food. I like that she's engaged in learning, as well as having fun. I cannot overstate how passionately she loves this camp. I also have a high trust level for the program where they pick your child up from the airport, feed them dinner/breakfast and keep them overnight in a dorm, which our daughter used both times.
my son loves CLV Lac du Bois and Hackensack (French)
Reviewed
on Apr/04/2016 by Tammy B.
My son, age 11, began attending the one-week sessions in French at 7 years of age. He has attended the Bemidji and Hackensack sites. Both experiences were extremely positive. My son is a bit reserved. The two weeks combined that he has spent at camp so far have fostered independence, confidence, his sense of humor, his love of nature, his appreciation for different foods and cultural values associated with meals, and meaningful friendships...and his French is not bad! From my point of view, the best thing about it is the community atmosphere and the fact that young people have the opportunity to build intergenerational relationships. There are as many adults on site as younger children, whether as camp staff or learners, and they are all so joyous! I have both times been so grateful for counselors, mentors he recalls with great fondness the whole year through. It's quite a remarkable community and experience. I have nothing but great things to say about Concordia Language Villages. Note, too, that they offer various kinds of really generous financial aid: don't let cost be a barrier.
Fabulous
Reviewed
on Mar/29/2016 by Karen M.
Both of my daughters have attended El Lago del Bosque Spanish camp, and my younger daughter (13) is going back this year for the third year in a row. They both loved the camp - learning the language, the food, the singing, and all of the fun activities. It was a very worthwhile experience from both the learning and camp perspectives. I am impressed with the camp administration as well. The programs are very well-run and the staff is professional. We feel very lucky to have found this camp.
Great French Camp
Reviewed
on Mar/28/2016 by Darcy P
We love Concordia Language Village French camp! My 12 year old daughter has attended the Hackensack outdoor camp for two years now and has very much enjoyed her experience. She says the food is amazing and she loves meeting other kids whose parents are supportive of a second language. The camp is a traditional outdoor camp in a beautiful setting. Besides an invaluable summer camp experience, my kids are learning another language. My daughter and her 9 year old brother are attending the Bemedji camp this year. Highly recommend!
An important part of my daughter's summer
Reviewed
on Mar/26/2016 by Evelyn
My 17 year old daughter has gone to the Norwegian Language Village, Skogfjorden, every summer since age 9. The country of Norway, the language, its history and our ancestry are an important part of her life, as a result. She has attended everything from the one week session for first-time villagers to the four week high school credit session. The cabin counselors are a lot of fun, have excellent language skills and are welcoming and well trained. Village life is an immersion program where learning about Norway and learning Norwegian are done through skits to present the meals, lots of singing and music, and a huge variety of other activities. There are a few villagers who come from Norway each summer and are English language learners. It has been fun for my daughter to make friends with others her age who are native Norwegian speakers. She sees return villagers each summer back at Skogfjorden, has grown up with them and keeps in touch during the school year, and also makes new friends each summer. She is going again this summer and looking forward to it!
An Excited Return This Year!
Reviewed
on Mar/26/2016 by Angela J.
My 11-year-old daughter attended a one-week camp at El Lago del Bosque for the first time last year. She was nervous the entire ride to Bemidji, not knowing what to expect and having mostly attended sports camps in the past. At the end of the week, she came running to us and, after the hug, her first question was, "May I please stay for another week?" She was so excited about the camp, the counselors, the language, and the friends she made. She sang Spanish songs throughout our seven-hour ride home. Her Spanish teacher commented on her increased excitement about the language and the many cultures they are studying. This year, she is going back for two weeks and is thrilled. I cannot say enough about this camp.
Mori no Ike
Reviewed
on Mar/26/2016 by E's Mom
My 12 year old daughter attended Mori no Ike, the Japanese language camp the summer of 2015. She knew a bit of Japanese, and quickly picked up a great deal more. She lived the camp experience and is very excitedly waiting to return this summer. It's the closest thing to getting to actually go to Japan, with the food, culture and activities. It's a great program!
Excellent language program and teen experience
Reviewed
on Mar/25/2016 by Katrina
My teen son has now completed two years of Mori no Ike (Japanese Village) by participating in the four week high school credit program. He is ready for his third year and looking forward to it.
As a homeschooling family this is an excellent way for him to receive a well rounded language experience as well as a fun summer camp experience. As a parent I appreciate the mid way and end of course feedback as well as the formal transcript.
I have recommended Concordia Language villagers to many and so far everyone I know who has attended or sent their kids has been very happy.
My Kids Love It!
Reviewed
on Mar/24/2016 by Kari M
My 13-year-olds have attended the Language Villages for 4 summers. It is the highlight of their summer. They enjoy the caring and fun staff, as well as the countless activities all in the Norwegian language. They have learned a lot, but also had a terrific experience.
Great learning experienc
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by Makenna L
I drove through many states on my way to Minnesota for Japanese camp. Though I went in nervous, I came out with new knowledge, friends and memories of a great experience. I highly recommend this summer camp. I was lucky to be a scholarship recipient and am so grateful for this camp opportunity. Learning more about the Japanese language and culture has helped me in my current Japanese courses.
What a great place!!!!
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by DarleneB
My daughter has attended the Swedish village at Bemidji for the 2 week immersion for the last 2 summers and has absolutely LOVED IT! She's kind of a shy girl, but she seemed to open up there! I didn't know how much they'd actually learn in 2 weeks, but she came home speaking Swedish and kept at it throughout the rest of the year! The friends made there stay in touch through text and email through the year as well.
When I picked up my daughter the first year, we hugged and the VERY FIRST THING she said to me was "I'm totally coming back next year!" Then, "the food here is sooo awesome!!!"
The village is beautiful! And they have built each village to replicate a bit of the country they're visiting. I was VERY IMPRESSED with it!
You can write to your child(ren) while they're there, either via snail mail or sending them an email through the village site. The village keeps a daily blog of each day at the village, so you can see what they're doing, their happy faces, what they've made, what they're eating etc.
I'm a single mom and Concordia afforded my child the opportunity to attend camp through their scholarship offerings and we couldn't be more appreciative of that!
I have, and continue, to recommend Concordia Language Villages to anyone looking for a positive summer experience for their child.
Next Best Thing to Actually Going Overseas
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by Linnaea S
My daughter has attended Waldsee (the German-language camp) for two summers and can't wait to go again this year. Since we live two states away she has to fly on her own and be met by Concordia staff in Minnesota, and she was pretty nervous doing that the first time but the process was perfectly smooth and she has gained a lot of confidence by doing this independently. Now she plans her whole summer schedule around going to Waldsee and keeps in regular contact with friends she made there.
Besides all the fun she has at camp, she learns more in one 2-week camp session than she learns in an entire semester of high school German. When she came home last summer singing entire songs in German, with a perfect accent, I was speechless. She reports that the staff is incredible, the food is delicious, and she can't believe how many fun experiences and activities are packed into 13 days. She loves this camp, and I feel fortunate that we discovered it. It is a true gem.
our kids love Concordia
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by David M
Our son and daughter have been going to Concordia for three years now. They love it every time they go and are looking forward to returning this year.
Happy Parent
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by LuAnn
My daughter is returning to CLV for the fifth time this summer. She is a shy child who was very afraid to go to camp the first time but fell in love with CLV by the time we got her first postcard. Now it's part of our summer routine. The camp leaders were very welcoming and the activities got her immediately involved. The language lessons were meaningful but low-key (no pressure to get a good grade). Because all the kids are learning a new language, she never felt as if the pack had lapped her. The International Day party is always a huge hit. As for transportation: The first time we dropped her off at the campground. Now we just kiss her goodbye at the bus stop, let the CLV staff take it from there, and collect her in two weeks. They are very responsible and we feel extremely comfortable with their supervision both to get her to camp and to let her have a good experience when she is there. I highly recommend CLV.
Wonderful learning experience
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by Ruth M.
My daughter decided that she wanted to study Swedish as an 11 year old at CLV. We live in PA and Bemidji, MN is a long way but there is no other language camp like it in the US and she was determined. She loved the experience and will be returning this summer. The camp is total immersion, all Swedish all day long from check in. When I dropped her off, my daughter knew not one word and was a little shy. By the time I got back two weeks later she had tons of friends and the capacity to speak full sentences in Swedish. Since then she has stayed in regular contact with her friends from camp, they are all taking the next session together this year and my daughter has been studying Swedish with a tutor so that she can be an AFS exchange student to Sweden in the 10th grade. Needless to say as far as I am concerned CLV exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend.
Awesome language immersion experience
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by Mrs McC
My son and daughter have both attended the Russian language camp (Lesnoe Ozero) over the years, starting when they were young elementary school students. They have attended the one-week and two-week programs. My son has attended the four-week high school credit option before his freshman year and plans to attend again this summer. It was a great option to get his language credit to free him up to take some other electives during the school year. The counselors are caring individuals and their experiences have been positive. My kids see many of the same kids year after year so this has become their summer home away from home.
The best gift that has been given to my children!
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by lkmom
Both of my children attend CLV. My oldest has attended Swedish camp for 3 summers as a credit student. Not only does she have a strong command of the language, but she has grown from someone who was very unsure of herself to a confident young adult. She has developed life long friendships, become a compassionate toward other's, and open to new experiences. My younger daughter has attended French camp for 2 summers, most recently as a credit student. Our small high school does not offer French, but she is motivated to look for opportunities to keep learning the language during the school year. Both of my kids' experiences at CLV has exceeded my expectations. Language camp has become a summer tradition in our family that they anticipate all year long!
Fantastic French Experience
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by Audie
My daughter is counting down the days until its time to head back to Lac du Bois for her third summer session. It's an amazing experience overall, from the beautiful (and oh-so-French) campus, the fun counselors and activities, and close friendships with kids from all over. She even loves the food!
As a parent, I've been impressed with the self-confidence and independence she's gained from attending camp. French isn't offered in our middle schools here in our part of Florida, but she did place in French 3 when she started high school this year - and that was totally due to what she learned in the 2 weeks immersion camp.
An investment that delivers
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by Marie Therese
We live in the Caribbean and every summer travel to the U.S. My son has attended Concordia Language camp for four years in a row. The first year he went for two weeks and loved it at Lac du Bois. The next two years he did two weeks at El Lago de Bosque followed by two weeks at Lac du Bois. The counselors are encouraging and inspiring. My son decided to attend the four week high school credit last summer. His goal now is to become a summer "mono" at the French camp. Going to camp has built his self confidence tremendously. I must say this has been money well spent! A true investment with immeasurable return. Their transportation department is a marvel. The first year my son's flight was delayed several hours. I called the transportation department, informed them of the delay and no worries. They met his flight; got him to camp and called Mom to make sure she had no worries! Concordia Camp is my son's family away from home.
Full emersion and a great camp experience
Reviewed
on Mar/23/2016 by aswissgirl
Our two children attended the Spanish one week camp last summer. We flew in and dropped them off and it was full emersion. The staff only spoke Spanish to us. It was like entering another country. The children loved it and when we picked them up they begged to go the next year for a month! This year we will send them for two weeks and maybe the next year the full month. Their Spanish improved and they even went through a bit of culture shock on return.
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My daughter loved this camp. The countryside location was scenic and beautiful. Catherine not only improved her language skills, but she also was exposed to Russian culture. She found out she even likes Russian food. The other kids were friendly and fun. Catherine is excited to return for the full four weeks this year.