Good governance ensures great experiences and at Concordia Language Villages, you can expect nothing less. All policies are clearly communicated, and all practices are properly vetted in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. Concordia Language Villages is a program of Concordia College, a 501(c)3 organization and is accredited by the American Camp Association and Cognia. For complete policies, terms and conditions, see our Summer Youth Handbook and our online Terms and Conditions.
Summer Youth HandbookTerms and Conditions
Billing statements will be sent monthly via email or regular mail. Separate charges will appear for registration and transportation. Please note that scholarships will be applied to individual accounts as soon as they are confirmed and allowed to be added, but may not be added until May 1 of each camp year. Keep this in mind when viewing statements before this date. Registration fees are non-refundable and due at registration to hold your child’s space in the desired session.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and eCheck are accepted as payment for registration and transportation. Credit card payments incur a 3% processing fee. We encourage you to pay your bill online. We also accept payment by phone or mail. Call our enrollment department at (800) 222-4750. ALL PROGRAM BALANCES ARE DUE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SESSION START. Accounts with unpaid balances after the session start date will incur a $100 late fee. We reserve the right to unenroll villagers with outstanding balances.
When registering for programming, all sessions will have the option to sign up for monthly installments as your payment plan type. If you select monthly installments, incremental payments will be deducted from your bank account or credit card on or around the first business day of every month through the final due date based on your selected plan. Please email clvfinance@cord.edu with any questions on your monthly installment plan.
Our financial policies are strictly applied to ensure our ability to continue our mission and programs. Cancellations and registrations are considered received in our office by referring to the postmark date or timestamp of your fax or email or the date of your phone call. See our Summer Youth Handbook for full terms and conditions.
The Travel/Camper Protection Plan for summer youth programs is available for purchase during the online registration process and if purchased, may protect up to the full cost of your session, and includes a variety of other benefits should the need arise. This insurance is offered through Travel Insured International and is not directly affiliated with Concordia Language Villages. If you have questions regarding claims, please call Travel Insured at 844-440-8113.
With dependent care expenses, it ultimately comes down to what the IRS determines is an eligible work-related expense. In its Publication 503, the IRS includes a section on camp expenses. Whereas the IRS notes that the cost of sending a child to a day camp may be a work-related expense, the IRS has this guidance about overnight camps: “The cost of sending your child to an overnight camp isn't considered a work-related expense.”
Concordia Language Villages is able to authorize documentation for day camp expenses, but not for overnight programs or any portion of an overnight program.
Can a 529 plan be used toward Concordia Language Villages youth programs?
529 plans can generally be used to cover the beneficiary’s tuition for CLV’s credit programs, but not on its non-credit offerings. The current split on CLV’s residential program fees is that 70% is earmarked toward tuition, while the remaining 30% is for room and board.
Please be aware that distinctions may exist between federal and state tax laws. Please consult with a tax advisor on any and all particulars regarding your specific case.
It is expected that the villager will remain at the Village for the entire session. This is particularly important for credit villagers. Written notification is required if your villager must leave during the session. You will be asked to complete a page in your villager’s passport that transfers them out of, and back into, the program. Concordia Language Villages reserves the right to send a child home for any reason it deems in the villager’s best interests – health concerns, behavioral issues or otherwise. In such an event, travel arrangements must be coordinated by the parent/guardian in a timely manner.
Villagers are expected to comply with requests and directions that ensure the health, safety and welfare of all members of a Village. Villagers are also expected to respect and act in accordance with the cultural norms of the Village program. Concordia Language Villages does not tolerate emotional or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse of one person by another. It may be grounds for dismissal from the program. If necessary, you will be notified and your child will be sent home at your expense without refund. See our Summer Youth Handbook for our complete behavior policy.
Concordia Language Villages is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and fosters positive relationships. We welcome, affirm and support young people of all abilities, experiences, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities (including trans and nonbinary people) and expressions, religion and non-religion, citizenship and immigration status and any other category people use to define themselves or others.
Villagers’ school-year days are filled with noise and distraction. They are wired and complex. One of the goals of our program is to slow down, listen, tune in and connect. To effect the full quality of an immersion program, we ask our villagers and our staff to be in the Language Village moment. We require that all electronic devices be left at home or checked at the Village gate during the customs process. Four-week villagers will receive their phone for a limited amount of time on a day in the middle of their program, then return it to staff for its safe-keeping for the last two weeks.
In order to simulate and establish an authentic cultural atmosphere, your villager will go through our customs process upon arrival. Villagers are encouraged to bring culturally-appropriate items (music, books, realia, clothing, etc.) to the Village to enhance everyone’s experience. Contraband items include those listed here. For a full list of contraband items, download our Summer Youth Handbook.
Here are Frequently Asked Questions about Concordia Language Villages programs. If your question is not addressed here, please visit our FAQ page or contact us.
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.
