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.
Mar e Floresta
Portuguese Language Village
About the Village
The Portuguese-speaking world spans the globe - from Portugal to Brazil, from Mozambique to Timor Leste and beyond! At Mar e Floresta in the North Woods of Minnesota, we draw on diverse cultures and traditions as we learn the world’s sixth most widely spoken language. Enjoy traditional foods like top-it-yourself Rodizio de Pizza and Bibingka (baked rice cake). Learn traditional drumming, paint your own máscaras (masks) and hone your skills on the futebol (soccer) field. From the time you wake up in the morning to the time you go to bed at night, you’ll find yourself engaged in a variety of community and cultural activities, all geared toward listening, speaking and eventually even starting to think in Portuguese.
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Life at Mar e Floresta
Traditional Dance
Brazilian Soda
Creating Dessert
Futebol (Soccer)
Culturally Appropriate Cuisine
Village Bank
Cultural Games
Cooking Lesson
Custom Birchwood Nametags
Campfire Singalong
Drum Game
Experience Mar e Floresta
Summer 2027 Schedule
Session descriptions coming soon. Registration opens Oct. 15.
| Language | Session Type | Session Category | Ages | Start Date | End Date |
| Portuguese | Apprentice | Four Week | Ages 16-18 | 6/21/2027 | 7/17/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth Credit | Two Week | Grades 9-12 | 6/21/2027 | 7/3/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth Credit | Four Week | Grades 9-12 | 6/21/2027 | 7/17/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth | One Week | Ages 7-12 | 6/21/2027 | 6/26/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth | Two Week | Ages 8-13 | 6/21/2027 | 7/3/2027 |
| Portuguese | Day Camp | One Week | Ages 6-11 | 6/28/2027 | 7/2/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth | One Week | Ages 7-12 | 6/28/2027 | 7/3/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth Credit | Two Week | Grades 9-12 | 7/5/2027 | 7/17/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth | One Week | Ages 13-18 | 7/5/2027 | 7/10/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth | Two Week | Ages 12-18 | 7/5/2027 | 7/17/2027 |
| Portuguese | Youth | One Week | Ages 13-18 | 7/12/2027 | 7/17/2027 |
Upcoming Portuguese Camps & Programs
Minimum registration fee $200 Our one-week programs are perfect for villagers who are ready to experience an overnight camp but can't fit a longer program into busy summer schedules, or aren't quite ready for a longer time away from home. These programs provide an opportunity to explore the language through small and large group learning activities and immersive daily experiences. Plus, you'll get to do all the fun arts, crafts, games and cultural exploration of the Language Village camp experience, along with traditional summer camp activities like campfires, singing songs, and making new friends. These programs welcome language learners of all levels.
Registration closes May 24, 2027
Minimum registration fee $300 Our two-week programs are our most popular, providing an opportunity to become truly immersed in Village life! Villagers build and enhance their language skills through small and large group learning activities, and by hearing and using the language - with the encouragement of our supportive staff - throughout their daily activities. By engaging in a variety of music, arts, sports and classic summer camp activities like campfires, singing songs, and more, villagers can increase their confidence, improve their language ability, and grow to become courageous global citizens. These programs welcome language learners of all levels.
Registration closes May 24, 2027
Minimum registration fee $400 Our two-week high school credit program allows villagers to earn a semester's worth of high school credit in just two weeks! In addition to classes with formal language instruction, credit villagers can choose from a variety of elective activities, as well as classic summer camp favorites like campfires, singing songs, and more - all in the language of the Village. These programs welcome language learners of all levels. Fully accredited by Cognia, credit programs include standardized curriculums, assessments, and transcripts to meet your local school system’s requirements. Please check with your school district in advance to ensure that credit from Cognia will be accepted if you wish to have the credit reflected on your villager’s high school transcript. High school credit sessions are designed for villagers entering grades 9 and up in Fall 2027.
Registration closes May 24, 2027
Minimum registration fee $600 Want to gain an entire year’s worth of high school language credit in just four weeks? Our High School Credit programs are for you! In addition to classes with formal language instruction, credit villagers can choose from a variety of elective activities, as well as classic summer camp favorites like campfires, singing songs, and more - all in the language of the Village. Each four-week session is divided by an interim weekend, during which villagers have the opportunity to call home, do their laundry, and take a break from the intensive activity of Village life. These programs welcome language learners of all levels. Fully accredited by Cognia, credit programs include standardized curriculums, assessments, and transcripts to meet your local school system’s requirements. Please check with your school district in advance to ensure that credit from Cognia will be accepted if you wish to have the credit reflected on your villager’s high school transcript. High school credit sessions are designed for villagers entering grades 9 and up in Fall 2027.
Registration closes May 24, 2027
Minimum registration fee $400 The Language Apprenticeship Program is an opportunity for experienced language learners to take on a leadership role while continuing to develop their language skills through meaningful, hands-on work. Apprentices become an important part of the village community, working alongside staff and experts in a specific area while participating in daily language learning. Apprentices spend part of their day developing a community skill and part of their day continuing formal language study. They live alongside village participants in the classic programs, take part in village activities, and use their target language throughout the day. Through their work, apprentices build confidence, responsibility, leadership skills, and practical experience; all while deepening their language proficiency. The Language Apprenticeship Program is designed for returning villagers who have a strong foundation in the target language. Applicants should demonstrate the maturity, responsibility, and independence needed to serve as a role model within the village community. Participation is subject to program leadership approval. Program requirements: Ages 16–18 with approximately two years or more of study in the target language, or equivalent language experience. Specific requirements may vary by language program. Apprentices receive: Reduced tuition, continued language instruction, hands-on work experience, leadership opportunities, and a certificate documenting their apprenticeship and hours worked.
Registration closes May 24, 2027
Learn About Scholarship Opportunities
Need-based scholarships are available for Portuguese 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: Mar e Floresta
Turtle River Lake
Meet Our Team
Read more about our professional staff at Mar e Floresta, our Portugese Language Village.
Dean
Kirsten Cristina Addison is the dean of both Mar e Floresta, the Portuguese Language Village, and El Lago del Bosque, the Spanish Language Village (first half). She goes by Salome at Mar e Floresta and Cristina at El Lago del Bosque. Kirsten has been on staff at Concordia Language Villages since 1987, serving as dean in various capacities since 1996. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and French, she graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Western Ontario and studied at the University of Salamanca in Spain and the University of Lisbon in Portugal.
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.