Home

Events

Resources

Camp Dainava
The Lithuanian Ethnic Experience


The Lithuanian language courses at Camp Dainava, Manchester, Michigan, are intensive one-week courses designed for beginners, intermediate and advanced students, or those just wishing to refresh their Lithuanian. The program operates under the auspices of the Lithuanian Educational Council of the USA, a not - for- profit organization. The courses are taught by experienced instructors in vacation-like surroundings and atmosphere. There are no limitations regarding age or formal education.

The courses are student centered and we do our best to meet individual needs and interests. You will be able to choose the level with which you are most comfortable. We will provide you with some language structure and a great deal of audio-lingual practice. Abundant help will be available to all students. The courses are an adjunct to a Lithuanian-speaking group of campers. So, in addition to classroom study, you will have an opportunity to interact with Lithuanian speaking people. You will be invited to attend and take part in many common activities.

Children's Program

For those families who wish to bring children, there is a Lithuanian oriented, supervised children's program in operation during certain hours of the day. These sessions help the children to have fun learning some Lithuanian while freeing the parents to attend classes and take part in other activities.

The Camp And Its Facilities

The camp is located at 15100 Austin Rd. near the town of Manchester in southeastern Michigan. It covers 226 acres of rolling hills and resembles a picturesque region in southern Lithuania after which it is named. The small lake and wooded hills that greet each visitor let you know that you are close to nature. The camp facilities can be described as basic and consist of dormitories and rooms with adjacent showers, a central mess hall, a main building with conference rooms, kitchen and a laundry. The main building with its large hall is a focal point of activity. The grounds include basketball and tennis courts, picnic tables, an open air pavilion and swimming beach. So bring your bathing suit, if you like swimming and sun bathing, fishing gear for fishing or hiking shoes for trails through the fields and forest.


The Food

The cuisine is mostly Lithuanian - American and it is very good. The meals are served family style. The menu includes a variety of choices to appeal to different tastes and age groups. The meals consist of a hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Certain Lithuanian dishes may even rekindle nostalgic memories.
The camp gives you the feeling of being in Lithuania right here in America", said one camper. Here is a relaxing place that will help you learn language skills and the culture of Lithuania. It will build memories and friendships that could last a lifetime. So welcome back to your roots! Enjoy the company and heritage of fellow Lithuanians and friends from the United States, Canada and Lithuania.

If you have any Lithuanian materials (textbooks, dictionaries, etc.), bring them with you. Also, if you have some letters from Lithuania that you have a hard time reading or translating, bring them, too.
We will help you read them. We will even help you write some.

Registration and Travel Information

The cost. The cost for the week is $290 for an adult, $260 for spouse, $170 for youths ages 11 - 18, $l50for each child ages 3 - 10. The prices include lodging, meals and the language courses. The fees are payable upon arrival at the camp. Registration fee is extra and is payable in advance.
Travel information. If you travel by car, please refer to a map. Camp Dainava is located in southeastern Michigan at 15100 Austin Rd., 6 miles west of Manchester and 9 miles east of Napoleon. There is a DAINAVA sign at the entrance. Camp phone is 734 - 428-8919.
What to bring with you. The basics are: bed sheets, pillow case, blanket, clothes - including bath robe, shower slippers, toiletries, and towels. If you come by car, you should also bring a pillow. It is nice to have a camera, flashlight, cassette recorder, fan, bathing suit. Also bring paper, pencils and your Lithuanian textbook, if you have one. The registration fee is extra and is used to cover the cost of organizing the language course.
It is $10.00 for an individual, $15.00 for a couple or a family.

If you travel by plane, you should arrive at the Detroit Metro Airport. Please let us know in advance your airline, flight number and the time of arrival and we will help you to make arrangements for transportation to the camp. Camp Dainava is about 40 miles away from the airport. Estimated cost is about $30 per person round trip, depending on the number of passengers.

If you are traveling by car, you can obtain driving directions at Camp Dainava, then clicking on "directions to". There is a big DAINAVA sign at the entrance.

We hope that we have provided answers to most of your questions. If you would like more information about dates and times, please email dainava@amberroots.org or call Vytautas Jonaitis at (616) 453-7549. If you like, you can "snail mail" Mr. Jonaitis at 1332 Sprucewood Dr.NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
With best wishes. Su geriausiais linkejimais.

Home

Events

Resources