Wilderness / Adventure

If you are interested in the environment, exploration and camping, you'll love our wilderness and adventure program options! While all of our programs stress environmental awareness and outdoor activities, some of our wilderness and adventure programs feature overnight camping trips in the woods, canoe trips that last for days, and even special midnight theatrical performances in enchanted forests. All of these unique programs are done in the language of the Village!

De Cyclende Danskere Because the Danes love to be out in naturen (nature), our Danish Language Village offers this exciting group bicycling trip! You will ride a bike on various terrains, explore nature, and stay overnight at Itasca State Park, the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River! Learn about the role of bicycles in Danish culture, become a more competent and safer cyclist, and improve your Danish language skills. The beautiful scenery along the forest bike trails make the trip a favorite adventure for villagers at Skovsøen. The program is co-ed for villagers aged 13-18 with beginning to advanced Danish language skills. Offered during DB84 and DB02.

Check the schedule to learn more about when De Cyclende Danskere is offered! Register for sessions now and prepare for De Cyclende Danskere at Skovsøen!

Aventure Nature Incorporating outdoor living skills with language-learning adventures, Aventure Nature is offered through our French Language Village in Hackensack, Minn. Nestled between two Minnesota lakes, the ambiance of the site is uniquely suited to learning about nature and the Francophone culture. Villagers typically take a morning-long hike and go on an overnight camp-out as part of Aventure Nature. The program is co-ed for villagers who are at least 10 years old, who complete the 10-minute swimming test, and who have an intermediate language level. You can sign up on opening day. Offered during FH22, FH42, FH62 and FH82.

Afrique! Afrique! provides an in-depth look at the French speaking cultures of West Africa, focusing on daily life, customs, songs, dances, legends and ceremonies. Offered at both our Hackensack and Bemidji locations, if you have attended Lac du Bois previously and have an intermediate language level, you have the option of choosing this program on opening day. Offered during FB12, FB32, FB52, FB72 and FB92 as well as FH42.

Helvetia Helvetia unites the French, German and Italian Language Villages in a program focusing on Switzerland. You will live in one of these three Villages, then all three languages will come together for a day to learn about Swiss language and culture at our site in Bemidji, Minn. The program is co-ed for villagers aged 8-18 with beginning to advanced French, German or Italian language skills. Helvetia is offered as part of sessions at the French, German and Italian Language Villages. For French/Swiss focus, sign up for FB12, FB32, FB52, FB72 or FB92.

Check the schedule to learn more about when adventure programs are offered! Register for sessions now and prepare for an adventure program at Lac du Bois!

Les Voyageurs From the moment you arrive, you will be immersed in the lifestyle of the French-Canadian fur trade of the 1800s as you canoe, hike, and camp on Turtle River Lake in a forest of the North Woods. Les Voyageurs embrace the challenge of life in a magnificent outdoor setting textbooks can only hope to describe! For participation in our Voyageur four-week high school credit program, we strongly recommend that you have at least an intermediate French proficiency (equivalent to at least one to two years of high school French).

Check the schedule to learn more about when Les Voyageurs is offered! Register for sessions now and prepare for Les Voyageurs!

Die Grüne Welle Offered at both our Vergas and Bemidji locations, Die Grüne Welle is a hands-on nature and environmental immersion program. You can discover the legends and lore of German Wälder (forests), enjoy Kanufahren (canoeing) on the Mississippi, and learn cutting-edge environmental techniques—all in German! Offered during GB22, GB42 and GB83. Click here to learn more about Die Grüne Welle!

Helvetia Helvetia unites the French, German and Italian Language Villages in a program focusing on Switzerland. You will live in one of these three Villages, then all three languages will come together for a day to learn about Swiss language and culture at our site in Bemidji, Minn. The program is co-ed for villagers aged 8-18 with beginning to advanced French, German or Italian language skills. Helvetia is offered as part of sessions at the French, German and Italian Language Villages. For German/Swiss focus, sign up for GB22, GB42, GB62, GB82 or GB02.

Kollegstufe A program that emphasizes reading and writing as well as "living" the German language, Kollegstufe is a good fit if you are a two-week villager who already has some speaking and listening proficiency. Offered during GB42, GB62, GB82 and GB02.

Der Märchenwald Our forest of legends will take you back to medieval days where you can learn to be a Ritter (knight), play medieval games, or join a theatrical troupe! Offered during GB22, GB62, GB82 and GB02.

Der Märchenwald Credit Program If you are in grades 9 through 12 and have at least basic German skills, take this opportunity to experience the Middle Ages firsthand in a four-week credit session focusing on medieval life, lore, theater and creative writing. Session GB85 only.

Das Stadttheater Develop your acting skills at Das Stadttheater and explore the language and culture of stage theater in German-speaking Europe. You'll have an opportunity to present a villager-produced play at the end of the session. Offered during sessions GB22 and GB42.

Waldsee Radio Learn how to be a DJ at Waldsee's own low frequency radio station! You will operate a radio studio, conduct live broadcasts, and work with the latest European music charts-all while learning and speaking German! Offered during GB62, GB82 and GB02.

Check the schedule to learn more about when adventure programs are offered! Register for sessions now and prepare for adventure programs at Waldsee!

Helvetia Helvetia unites the French, German and Italian Language Villages in a program focusing on Switzerland. You will separately live in one of these three Villages, then you will come together for a day to learn about Swiss language and culture at our site in Bemidji, Minn. The program is co-ed for villagers aged 8-18 with beginning to advanced French, German or Italian language skills. Helvetia is offered as part of sessions at the French, German and Italian Language Villages. For Italian/Swiss focus, sign up for LF72, LF92 or LF74.

Check the schedule to learn more about when Helvetia is offered! Register for sessions now and prepare for Helvetia at Lago del Bosco!

Sailing into Swedish! Sailing is a quintessential summer activity for Swedes, and now returning Sjölunden villagers may choose to participate in this adventure program which runs for three to four hours each day. The curriculum complements the regular Swedish instruction, but with an added focus on nautical terminology. Join us for the excitement of the Swedish Sailing School, only at Sjölunden! Offered during WB72, WB92 and WB74.

Check the schedule to learn more about when Sailing into Swedish is offered! Register for sessions now and prepare for Sailing into Swedish at Sjölunden!