Concordia Language Villages staff may speak a Village language, creatively teach culture, work and play hard. They also develop skills and qualities that will make them excellent employees in any field.
Skogfjorden
Norwegian Language Village
About the Village
From innovative technology to a history of exploration, learning Norwegian gives you an edge in the world. Whether you are interested in your heritage or your future, this unique language will guide you down a path towards success. Tens of thousands of people have chosen to learn Norwegian at Skogfjorden, and you can, too! Experience unique cultural activities like folkdans (folk dance) and innebandy (indoor floor hockey). Enjoy traditional foods like Kjøttkaker (meatballs) and lefse (griddle cakes). The authenticity of this Language Village will inspire your imagination and immerse you in the sights, sounds and language of the land of the midnight sun.
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Group Song Time
Culturally Appropriate Cuisine
Learning Through Song & Dance
Fun on the Beach
Friendships for a Lifetime
Traditional Desserts
Community Building
Learning Through Performance
Custom Wood-burned Nametags
Reading Time
North Woods Learning
Village Currency
Upcoming Norwegian Camps & Programs
Attention life-long learners! Join us for an immersive time of Norwegian language learning, cultural experiences, good food, music, laughter, connections and more. Many of you have Norwegian heritage as part of your family story, or you have learned some Norwegian in the past. Some of you have traveled abroad and have come to appreciate Norway for its beauty and culture. Some of you are interested in Norwegian perspectives on politics, history or current events. All language proficiency levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced, and together, we will explore common passions as we expand our knowledge and skills. Standard Price: $1305 Senior Price: $1205 Minimum registration fee $125
Registration closes September 13, 2026
Join us for a global learning vacation for the entire family—right here in Minnesota! Overnight family weeks and weekends are a great way to spend time together, discover new international foods, play games, make crafts, enjoy music and take part in some old-fashioned outdoor fun. And while you’re all busy having such a good time, together you’ll experience the wonder of speaking a new language through our fun and natural immersion environment. Invite friends, aunts, uncles and grandparents—or whatever family means to you! For more information on family programming, visit https://www.concordialanguagevillages.org/family-weeks-weekends. All attendees, regardless of age, need to register individually for the Family Programs. Tuition is as follows: Adult participants: $435 each Youth participants: $235 each Participants ages 3 and under: Free All paying participants must pay a $50 registration fee to save a spot.
Registration closes December 18, 2026
Attention life-long learners! Join us for an immersive time of Norwegian language learning, cultural experiences, good food, music, laughter, connections and more. Many of you have Norwegian heritage as part of your family story, or you have learned some Norwegian in the past. Some of you have traveled abroad and have come to appreciate Norway for its beauty and culture. Some of you are interested in Norwegian perspectives on politics, history or current events. All language proficiency levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced, and together, we will explore common passions as we expand our knowledge and skills. Standard price: $645 65+ price: $645 College student price: $545 Minimum registration fee $75
Registration closes March 25, 2027
Government & Corporate Programs
A global outlook is important for success in the domestic and international arena. Concordia Language Villages offers customized corporate, government and military training programs to meet the specific needs of our clients.
Learn About Scholarship Opportunities
Need-based scholarships are available for Arabic summer youth immersion sessions through the Passport Fund. Scholarships are based on a family’s adjusted gross income, number of dependents and the length of the session.
Additionally, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education offers a $1,000 stipend for Minnesota students who qualify for free or reduced lunch at school.
Our Location: Skogfjorden
Turtle River Lake
Our first architecturally authentic Language Village, Skogfjorden was built in 1968 on the shores of Turtle River Lake, and has been updated over the years. Skogfjorden magically transports visitors to a small lakeside village in Norway, amongst the beauty and nature of the North Woods. Villagers live in dormitory-style cabins with double bunks. Each beautiful cabin is built for year-round use with carpeting, electricity and indoor plumbing. Cabins house up to 16 villagers and staff. Gimle, the large dining hall, features beautiful rosemaled ceilings and traditional woodwork. Utgard, the activity building, offers gymnasium facilities, which also serve as a meeting area for larger groups.
Meet Our Team
Read more about our professional staff at Skogfjorden, our Norwegian Language Village.
Tove Tove Dahl
Dean
Tove Dahl is Dean of Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village. She has been on staff since 1979 and was a villager for four years. Tove is fluent in Norwegian and has also studied Russian, French, Spanish and Dutch. She was named a Knight of the First Class of the Norwegian Order of Merit by King Harald V of Norway in 2008 for the advancement of Norwegian language and culture in the United States. Tove earned her bachelor’s degree in English at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn. She completed her doctorate in educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a professor in educational psychology at the University of Tromsø, Norway.
Erik Brakstad
Program Leader
With a lifelong passion for Norwegian language and culture, Erik has been involved at Skogfjorden as a staff member (and later as a parent) since it rocked his world when he came for the first time as a counselor during college. Now serving as Program Leader for Skogfjorden‘s adult residential programs, Erik relishes how Skogfjorden brings together people of different backgrounds and experiences. Erik attended Follo Folkehøyskole in Norway before graduating from Reed College. When not teaching at the Villages, he works as a general contractor in Portland, Ore.
Steve Sverre Asper
Program Leader
Steve Sverre Asper has 30 years of experience teaching Norwegian and French at Concordia Language Villages. He spent multiple years in Norway on exchange programs in Tønsberg and Oslo. He taught third grade at L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School and serves as the Chief Information Officer for Kozefò, a small nonprofit organization that serves A New Arrival Center Primary School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His passion for Education, Technology, Children, Languages and Service, cultivated at Concordia Language Villages intersect to drive him in his role of Director of Technology and Innovation for White Bear Lake Area Schools and his work in Haiti.
Jessica Dina Korynta
Program Leader
Jessica Dina Korynta is part of the leadership team of Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village. Dina has been a villager, credit villager, counselor, volunteer, business manager and staff counselor as well as now leading the Nordic Holiday Weekend. Dina earned her B.A. in Linguistics with a minor in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.