FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 29, 2007) In 2008, Lago del Bosco, the Italian Language Village of Concordia Language Villages, is opening a second location outside of New York in Blairstown, N.J., in addition to its headquarters in northern Minnesota.

Launched in July 2003, Lago del Bosco is the only Italian language and culture immersion camp in the United States. The culturally-authentic camp helps young people learn about all aspects of Italian life, history and culture.

The New Jersey site offers a one-week Youth Exploration session from August 18-23, 2008 for children ages 7-11 at $1,295, and a two-week Youth Immersion session from August 4-16, 2008 for ages 8-14 at $2,685. Tuition includes instruction, food, housing and activities. No previous exposure to the Italian language is required.

Students known as villagers participate in language and cultural activities including mask making, paper marbling, soccer, theater, and film. Villagers speak Italian over breakfast, lunch and dinner and also learn about Italo-pop music, traditional Italian dances, regional specialties and how to play Italian games.

Concordia College has been educating young people in languages such as French, German, Spanish and Russian since 1961. Experience-based learning is emphasized in every aspect of the curriculum. The educational objectives of Concordia Language Villages are reinforced through the living, learning, social and recreational dimensions of village life.

Through the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) grant program, the Foundation aided Concordia Language Villages in the creation and development of a curriculum for the camp and has awarded scholarships to young people to learn and expand their knowledge of Italian language and culture.

For more information, visit www.lagodelbosco.com or call 1-800-222-4750.

NIAF is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org