Salolampi Finnish Language Village

Thank you for your interest in the FFN Salolampi residential youth scholarships. The application period for 2024 is now closed. The deadline for the 2025 season is April 30, 2025. Please check back for updated information on next year’s camp.

Finlandia Foundation National believes that it is important for the Finnish language to be spoken and understood. FFN has long supported attendance by young people at the summertime, immersive Salolampi Finnish Language Village experience near Bemidji, Minnesota.

Follow the link below for further details on the resident village and high school credit program. NOTE: The FFN funds are applicable only to attendance at the youth residential village sessions.

About the Program

Salolampi Finnish Language Village is a unique experience in Minnesota that immerses campers in a Finnish experience, from the authentic architecture to the food served, daily schedule of activities, the lakeside sauna—even the treats and souvenirs sold in the camp store.

Finnish is one of 15 languages in the Concordia summer language program for seven-to-18-year-olds, and is one of the six cultures that have architecturally authentic villages on Turtle River Lake. The other such villages are German, French, Norwegian, Spanish and Russian.

The languages without villages are taught at these existing language sites and rental properties in the area. In a typical (non-pandemic) year, the Finnish language enrollment of 150 young people usually arrive from 20 to 25 states.

The camp sessions run for one- two- or four weeks. It is also possible to earn high school credit in the intensive language course.

Registration

Please visit the Salolampi website for dates, rates and applications.

Financial Assistance

Finlandia Foundation National awards funds of up to $300 each for a summertime residential session. In addition, students may be eligible for one of two types of travel grants:

1. Students from outside of the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota) may also apply to FFN for travel grants of up to $300 per student.
2. Students who live 100 or more miles from Salolampi may be reimbursed for round-trip travel at 25¢ per mile. Receipts are required.

Funds will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, with first-time campers receiving priority. The individual scholarship funds will be transferred directly from Finlandia Foundation to Concordia Language Villages. Any remaining costs need to be covered by other sources.

FFN encourages students to check with their local FFN chapters to see if they offer funds for participation in the Salolampi program. Also, additional scholarships are also available through the Concordia Language Villages website.

Each scholarship recipient is requested to submit a report to FFN about the Salolampi experience by September 1 following camp. Photos are greatly appreciated!