Ankunftstag in Waldsee

Die Grenze

When you first enter Waldsee you will need to pass through the Grenze (border). Here you will be checked in and we’ll also want to know how you are getting back home at the end of camp (also: make sure that the section in your Pass about who can pick you up is filled out)

Namensvergabe

Once we’ve checked off that you have arrived in camp, you will continue on to the next station where you can pick out a new Waldsee Name. We have a list with lots of suggestions for German names or you can pick a pre-made Namensschild (nametag) from our Namensschildbaum (nametag tree). After choosing a new name, you’ll find out which Haus (cabin) you will live at while in Waldsee.

Zoll

Now that you have a Name and a Haus, you will have to go through Zoll (customs), where your bags will be checked for Schmuggelwaren –things like englische Bücher (English-language books), Kaugummi (chewing gum), Handys (mobile phones), englische Musik (English-language music), and other American or English-language items that would interfere with the German immersion environment.

Sprachinterview

You have made it through most of the stations, but there are a few more to cover before heading to you Haus. One station will be a language interview station, which consists of an informal conversation with a counselor to make sure we place you in the correct language group according to your previous experience with German. You will also need to stop by the Bank to exchange your dollars for Euro, since we only use Euro in our stores here at Waldsee. Each villager also needs to check in with the Krankenschwester (nurse) to go over your health form and collect any medications you might have brought with you.

Abenteuerprogramme

The last group of stations that you should visit are our various Abenteuerprogramme (adventure programs), including die Grüne Welle, Märchenwald, Stadttheater, Helvetia, Waldsee Radio, and Kollegstufe. To find out which Abenteuerprogramme are offered during your session, please refer to the current summer schedule on the Concordia Language Villages website.

Fast Fertig

Once you have completed all of these stations you can head off to your Haus and get settled in. Once you have made your bed and unpacked a few things, you can head back to the Marktplatz and either paint your Namensschild or participate in a variety of activities with the counselors and other villagers. If you haven’t met your Hausbetreuer (cabin counselor) ask one of the Betreuer (staff members) where you might find him or her. After everyone has arrived and has had a chance to go to all the various stations we’ll ring die Glocke (the bell) and each Haus will gather together before we have our first Abendkreis (evening circle). Then it’s off to Abendessen (evening meal), a Rundgang (tour) of Waldsee, and a Lagerfuer (campfire) in the evening.

Gute Nacht

You’re done! It has probably been a long day for everyone. After the evening program you will head back to your Haus and get ready for bed. Most cabins take time at the end of each night to discuss the day, so be prepared to answer the question “Wie war dein Tag?” (How was your day?). On the first night, your Betreuer will also probably go over the daily schedule with everyone and feel free to ask any questions you might have about what a typical day at Waldsee is like. You can also get a jump on things now and take a look at our preliminary daily schedule that is posted here.