Summer camp is a special experience for youth. It gives them the opportunity to simply play and be a kid without social pressure, television, or many of the stressor they face at school.
Intended Benefits of a Trollfjell Experience
Build Friendships – Have Fun – Deepen Connection to Nordic Culture – Try New Things – Build Appreciation for Community – Gain New Skills – Enjoy Time in Nature – Be Creative
Camp Experience
Fun
- New activities to try and learn.
- Evening programs – from scavenger hunts, to dress up dance parties – every night is filled with a different fun activity.
- Daily free time activities – including pool time, ping pong, unwinding with a book, or playing Dungeons and Dragons – youth get to pick whatever activity calls to them every afternoon.
- Campfires – campfire skits, s’mores, and storytelling.
- Out-of-camp trips – including hiking trips, Dutch Flat 4th of July Parade and a fireworks excursion (Folkehogskule only), and thrift store trips to pick out costumes for dance parties.
- Special events – vary from year to year: could include the ice cream tractor, Viking astronomy, and more!
- Icebreaker games – to help youth get to know each other and build deeper connections.
- Table games and more.
Cultural Skills & Experiences
- Daily Norwegian language lessons.
- Nordic folk arts – vary from year to year, but could include rosemaling, chip carving, tablet card weaving, Viking wire weaving, folk dancing, and more.
- Raising & lowering the Norwegian and U.S. flags every day and learning to sign the Norwegian National Anthem.
- Trying and learning to cook Scandinavian foods such as lefse, rommegrot, and more.
- First-hand accounts from staff who have lived in or traveled to Norway.
Appreciation For Community
- Trollfjell Pride Projects – optional community service project for Camp Norge
- Nightly Kumbya Circle – youth share their highlights from each day
Creativity & Innovation
- Experimenting with all the activities
- Learning the Norwegian language
- Daily art and craft projects
- Whether its arts and crafts, Norwegian foods, or sports, youth are encouraged to try new things. Camp is a safe place to fail and succeed.
Build Friendships & Social Skills
- Safe place to experience failure without grades. Failures here don’t follow them through life – doesn’t hold them back; they can learn more to move forward. Developed resiliency.
- From sun up until sun down, camp is a social place to have fun and learn about oneself and others.
- Whether chatting in the cabin, walking to activity areas, hanging out at meals, chilling during free time, or participating in activities together, camp is a social place to build friendships.
Activity Skills
- Competent and passionate instructors who help make Norwegian culture come alive. Many instructors have either lived in or visited Norway.
- Some of our activity areas allow youth to earn Sons of Norway Culture Pins and level up year after year.
- Balanced skill-based activity exposure –arts, adventure, field games, outdoors/nature, performance arts, and Trollfjell uniqueness like Nordic folk arts, Nordic cooking, and daily Norwegian language lessons
- Exposure to such a diverse array of activities enlivens the passion to be a student in life, outside of camp and school.
Independence And Self-Confidence
- Being away from home
- Increased competence in activity areas
- Mental freedom
- Camping in and exploring the outdoors
Environmental Awareness and Appreciation
- Provide a beautiful, natural surrounding
- Spend time outside everyday
- Hiking & swimming
Healthy Lifestyle
- Nutritious meals
- Lack of television, video games, and other digital entertainment
- Frequent exercise through play
- Cleanliness: showers, clothes, teeth, etc.
