Concordia Language Camps and other Spanish Immersion Summer Programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Glad to hear they are overhauling things. Some people rave about concordia but my kid did the 4-week HS program a few years ago and did not have a great experience. Every language has a different 'village' so perhaps their language camp was an outlier (japanese)? The language instruction was ok but facilities/food was poor and my kid said many of the other students had some serious issues (mental health issues, family/identity challenges, etc). Lots of home-schooled kids and kids never away from home before, etc. The camps are also located in super remote areas of northern Minnestota - 4 hour drive north of minneapolis (closer to fargo, ND). This was during covid, so at the time, not many camp options. But if I did it again, would have them do a college program or an international host stay program. If my kid studied spanish, seems like there are likely many other options to consider.

Yes I looked into it for Spanish and seems like a real hassle to get there.

Did you find an alternative? DC really needs to work on their Spanish and on-line programs aren't a good option in terms of sticking with it and would like to find something enjoyable as well

No I am still looking. I also posted in the camps forum a few links to places I found. One in mexico looked cool. people in the forum said I was crazy to send my kid there🤷‍♀️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glad to hear they are overhauling things. Some people rave about concordia but my kid did the 4-week HS program a few years ago and did not have a great experience. Every language has a different 'village' so perhaps their language camp was an outlier (japanese)? The language instruction was ok but facilities/food was poor and my kid said many of the other students had some serious issues (mental health issues, family/identity challenges, etc). Lots of home-schooled kids and kids never away from home before, etc. The camps are also located in super remote areas of northern Minnestota - 4 hour drive north of minneapolis (closer to fargo, ND). This was during covid, so at the time, not many camp options. But if I did it again, would have them do a college program or an international host stay program. If my kid studied spanish, seems like there are likely many other options to consider.

I'm the other parent of the Chinese camp attendee mentioned above. Our kid had a good time and didn't mention issues with campers except for someone with food allergies.

My older son went to Amsterdam on a summer program and really disliked the other campers. There was all kinds of inappropriate behavior and poor supervision which I only found about after the trip.

Basically, I feel that whenever you get into these high-priced fairly luxurious camps you are going to get snobs, kids with "behaviors", kids with diagnoses and mental health therapies, esoteric allergies, and homeschoolers. These are part of the UMC realities now. I don't know why that is the case, and I'm not particularly judgy about it. It just seems to be the case.

The mental health form for my older son's study abroad was quite extensive. I realize that's for legal reasons but it was eyeopening.

[Anonymous]

I was just about to book Concordia but now not sure, anyone did spanish? this is for a 13 year old. i see alot of their camps are already full.

[Anonymous]

We were seriously considering signing up DC for the 1-month high school credit option but decided that the camp seems too young for a rising senior. I suspect that the high school programs are more skewed towards 14/15 yo than 16-18 yo. The activities are singing songs, playing soccer, arts and crafts, etc - which I understand will be in another language but just sounded really young for a kid who has been out of the country on their own for previous programs. We liked the unplugged aspect but not being able to have OTC medication without going to the health center also seemed a bit much for a kid who is 1 year from going off to college.

[Anonymous]

Summer Spanish for HS students with CIEE in Spain or Mexico:

https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/high-school-study-abroad/summer/programs?discipline[5496]=5496&type[3391]=3391

Application deadline January 15, but they'll extend deadlines if programs aren't full.

[Anonymous]

My DD did three years at Concordia in Spanish Immersion - 2 years in the 2-week program, and 1 year in the HS credit program. She learned a lot of Spanish and made a number of long-term friends. Many campers attend for more than one year. We did not experience any issues with administration.