The mission of Concordia Language Villages is to inspire courageous global citizens.
A courageous global citizen lives responsibly by:
Deep in the North Woods of Minnesota, we create a place that is both culturally authentic and uniquely our own. In the Language Villages, everything from the music played to the dishes used in the dining hall reflect the culture each was designed to represent. Immerse yourself in the world of a native speaker, where you can truly learn to live a language, not just speak it.
We’ve been inspiring courageous global citizens since 1961, when Gerhard Haukebo, a Concordia College faculty member, suggested an experimental program using cultural immersion techniques to teach language. Concordia College sponsored the project, renting a camp in central Minnesota to host a two-week German language program with 72 students aged 9-12. The experiment was a resounding success.
A French program was added the following year, followed by Norwegian and Spanish in 1963 and Russian in 1966. New languages were added year after year, expanding the programs and cultural immersion experiences.
As the camps grew in popularity, leasing land and building temporary Villages became more of a challenge. The grand idea of constructing permanent, architecturally accurate cultural Villages was born.
Construction of the first permanent site, the Norwegian Language Village Skogfjorden, began in 1969, followed by the German Language Village, Waldsee, in 1978 and the French Language Village, Lac du Bois, in 1988. Today, Concordia Language Villages is comprised of eight unique sites that transport visitors to international environments, all nestled in the beautiful North Woods of Minnesota lakes country. Other sites are leased for summer programs, and new permanent sites are planned for future development.
Concordia Language Villages is privileged to be run by world-class leaders who hold responsibility for the programs, run day-to-day operations and set strategic direction for the future.
Our culturally authentic, year-round sites for Finnish, French, German, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish and Swedish are on Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, Minn. The Bemidji site also has a year-round administrative office. Other sites leased by Concordia Language Villages are at camps located throughout Minnesota. Our main office is located on the campus of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. Moorhead is the home to our enrollment team as well as many administrative and support staff positions.
Just north of Bemidji, Minn., Concordia Language Villages is beautifully nestled in the North Woods on the shores of Turtle River Lake, making it an ideal setting for your next retreat, workshop, conference, reunion, banquet or wedding. From September through May, Turtle River Lake can accommodate groups of 25 to 120. We look forward to welcoming you!
The Concordia Language Villages Annual Report provides program highlights and statistical and financial information for the past fiscal year.
Building Bridges with Language and Cultural Competencies
Concordia Language Villages is committed to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion in our programming and employment. Concordia Language Villages affirms a diversity of identities, experiences and perspectives in our programming and employment opportunities, leading all who learn, play and work here to honor difference with respectful understanding and to practice courageous global citizenship, in line with our mission, without regard for race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status, age or socioeconomic status.
To truly understand the cultural context of another person’s thinking and doing, knowing their language, even just some of their language, opens doors for establishing interpersonal relationships and builds bridges that will lead to increased productivity and create a competitive edge. The experiential setting of a Concordia Language Villages language and cultural immersion program provides the ideal environment to encounter, discover and explore another culture. In a supportive setting and surrounded by a community of learners, real work gets done toward building cross-cultural competencies and language skills.
For all media inquires, please contact clv@cord.edu. For information regarding Concordia College, please visit ConcordiaCollege.edu.
Concordia Language Villages is a program of Concordia College, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Located in Moorhead, Minn., Concordia College is a private liberal arts college and a recognized leader in global education.
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Concordia Language Villages is accredited by the American Camp Association, the nation’s leading organization of camp operators, ensuring compliance with national standards and practices.
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Concordia Language Villages’ high school credit programs are accredited by Cognia, a leading academic certification and accreditation organization accepted by most U.S. schools and school districts.
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