Swedish: Sjölunden
Ages 7-18
Welcome to Sjölunden!
When you arrive at Sjölunden, you’ll go through “customs,” select a Swedish name to use during your stay, and embark on a new adventure where Swedish language and culture are celebrated. Friendly staff members will make sure you feel welcome as you exchange American dollars for kronor and meet your new cabin mates and friends.
Life in the North Woods is relaxed. Bring shorts, t-shirts, jeans, swimwear, and a rain jacket. Pack your toothbrush and sunscreen, too! We’ll send you a complete suggested packing list after registration.
You’ll be busy all day long at the Swedish Language Village. Why not join our seglingsskola (sailing school) or try your hand at vävning (weaving) or learning the guitar? Celebrate Swedish traditions such as midsommar (midsummer) and Sankta Lucia (St. Lucia day). We have lots of activities to choose from, including canoeing, sauna, painting, dancing, brännboll (Swedish baseball), soccer, kubb (Viking lawn-bowling) and kräftskiva (crayfish parties). Activity periods are scattered throughout the day so you can immerse yourself in Swedish activities, games, sports, and music.
A Typical Day at Sjölunden
7:45 Snabbdopp
8:15 Väckning
8:45 Morgonsamling
9:00 Frukost
9:45 Studentsamling
10:00 Lektion 1
10:45 Fika
11:15 Lektion 2
12:00 Kultur
13:00 Lunch
13:45 Tupplur
14:45 Intresse
15:45 Lång fritid
16:45 Lektion 3
17:30 Portfolio tid
18:00 Aftonsamling
18:15 Middag
19:00 Allsång
19:45 Stugtid
20:15 Kvällsprogram
21:30 Pluggkafe
22:45 Till stugorna
23:15 Lamporna slacks
Fast Facts
Village: Sjölunden
Founded 1975
Capacity: 85 villagers
Borders: Turtle River Lake
Language: Swedish
Currency: Kronor
Time Zone: CDT (Daylight Savings)
Location
Just as Sweden and Finland are northern European neighbors, Sjölunden villagers enjoy the benefits of the neighboring Finnish Language Village, located right next door on the shores of Turtle River Lake near Bemidji, Minnesota.
Currently, Sjölunden villagers use cabins, dining spaces, and activity spaces in the Finnish Language Village for summer programs. Since 2006, however, we have been adding new, dedicated, culturally authentic Swedish facilities. This $2.7 million construction project is scheduled for completion by 2010 and will give Sjölunden its own dedicated site.
Until the new site is completed, when you come to Sjölunden, you’ll be living in a comfortable cabin with staff members and between 11 and 15 other villagers who are all your same gender and about your age. You’ll have your own bunk for your sleeping bag and pillow, as well as a place to store your clothes and other belongings (pack wisely as there is limited storage space).
Sailing is a quintessential summer activity for Swedes, and now returning Sjölunden villagers (those who have attended at least one Sjölunden session in the past) may choose to participate in this adventure program.
Seglingsskola is an add-on program which runs for three to four hours each day, during a regular one- or two-week session. Villagers must sign up to participate in the program when they arrive to camp the first day.
The seglingsskola curriculum complements the regular Swedish instruction, but includes an added focus on nautical terminology. Offered during WB72, WB92 and WB74 for returning villagers.
Sjölunden offers three choices of summer overnight camps for young people:
• One-week sessions for ages 15-11
• Two-week sessions for ages 8 to 14 and 13 to 115
• Four-week sessions for high school credit for students entering grades 9 through 12
Want to learn more about Sjölunden?
• Visit our Village Production Page to see pictures of last year’s villagers and camp activities
• Meet our dean
• Read about the delicious food at Sjölunden
Summer Contact Information
Swedish Language Village
Sjölunden
10915 Ojutkangastie NE
emidji MN 56601
(218) 586-8830
Villager Fax (218) 586-8788
Thanks to generous donations to the Passport Fund from our supporters, scholarships are available.
Is your child ready for a Concordia Language Villages over-night immersion program?
