Concordia Language Villages

I have strong memories of being very homesick and unhappy when I went away to camp at age 8.Children are different but you might think about waiting a few years.

I'm way out of date, but I was a camper and then counselor at another Concordia Language Village and my sister was a camper in Spanish. We both loved it. And I have a lot of respect for the substance of the curriculum and pedagogical support they provide to the staff, even for teaching younger kids (camp-wide question of the day, total physical response, etc.). Kids that young are sponges and would mumble in the language in their sleep by the end of a two week session. My 7 year old isn't ready for sleep away camp, but I'll definitely consider it when/if she is. And I'd love to hear about more local options.

Both of my kids went to the Spanish camp with Concordia Language Villages (Bemidji, MN) for multiple years (I think my daughter did four years plus abroad, my son did five years and a counselor summer). My daughter also did their summer abroad program. They LOVED it and I thought it was tremendously worth the time/effort to get them there. It is incredibly well organized and my kids improved their language exponentially.  I would recommend it very highly.  The first year I flew with my daughter to get her set up. Subsequent years they flew alone; the counselors are well versed on how to meet up with campers and it went flawlessly.  The food is good, there is a great mix of academics and fun things to do. Minnesota is absolutely beautiful (in the summer,at least)   

My son went to Concordia when he was about 8 or 9, for a French camp (Lac du Bois).  He really enjoyed it.  We flew him direct from SFO and had no issue with the transportation connections that the camp handled.  Another option to look at locally is Bay Language Academy, though it is not a sleepaway camp.  

At 16 my son spent 2 weeks at the Concordia Chinese camp. He's a finicky traveler, so I had my concerns. I needn't have worried, as he had a terrific time. Five years later he still speaks of his experience with fond memories and enthusiasm. Concordia makes it easy for the parents, and post a daily blog, with pictures.  

Last summer, my 16-year old daughter attended Concordia's French Language Village. It was her first time and she didn't know anyone. She loved it. She learned a lot and made friends from all over the United States. Her French was already pretty solid, and she gained greater fluency and self-confidence (the language village is total immersion), She came home singing in French (and other languages) and knowledgeable about the French-speaking world beyond France. She wants to go back, so I think that's the best endorsement a program can earn from a teenager. Feel free to contact me directly if you have more questions. I deliberated for a long time, as it was a huge time/financial commitment. I emailed and skyped with other parents who had sent their kids, which helped me to decide.