2010

Kjære Skogfjorden ridder,

Isn’t it funny? I recently got back from a marvellous evening of skiing on top of a nearby mountain, nearly 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The sky was pitch black and the stars so clear I felt like I could touch them. I looked for my Skogfjorden star and found it. It made me think of you as I turned my gaze beyond the sky over to the twinkling town of Tromsø on the island below – past the sound and the neighboring Kvaløy island, clear out to the Arctic ocean beyond. And you, you are probably reading this in tennis shoes or sandals with the thought of summer not very far away. Can you imagine that I just now came in from shovelling snow in a fairytale-like winter night where the snow came down in soft, downy snowflakes… while you imagine packing your shorts and t-shirts for a great session at Skogfjorden this summer? Isn’t it wonderful that we are meeting here on this page with such different experiences at this moment?

As different as this moment may be for the two of us, it won’t be long until we meet at Skogfjorden in our smart summer gear for a sublime shared experience. Sommer kommer!

We’ll have one knight worthy time, you know. Everyone who comes to Skogfjorden becomes a Skogfjorden knight and what knights do really matters. What exactly do knights do, may you ask? Well, we do everything that Skogfjorden is famous for: explore and discover new things out in the woods and down by our lakes, fill the air with song, play lots of Norwegian games and sports, eat loads of delicious Norwegian food, hang out with friends in the Minnelund grove, in your beautiful Norwegian hytte, outside the well-stocked kiosk of Norwegian treats or in the dramatically beautiful Gimle dining hall. What’s knightworthy, though (or ridderverdig, as we say at Skogfjorden), are all the good deeds that we will do in our Village that will help us create our vibrant Skogfjorden community where everyone feels safe, everyone belongs and Norwegian is at the heart of everything we do. What’s cool is that we will do it all in Norwegian! Don’t worry, though. We do it in just the right amount of Norwegian to suit you. In no time, you will find yourself jumping right in like a true ridder as naturally as all the villagers before you have. Generations of villagers, actually – generations of villagers who come back summer after summer when they realize how artig it is to be a part of this amazing adventure.

This summer is special, though. It’s CLV’s 50th birthday! To celebrate, Skogfjorden is augmenting its treasured traditions with inspired innovations. With our inaugural Skogfjorden PLUSS summer in place, we are offering sessions with a special emphasis on music (NB 12, 11, and 21), cultural exchange with friends from at least two continents (NB 33 and 30), a folkehøgskole experience and storytelling (NB 30); and peace (NB 52). I am so glad that you are joining us. We have so much to celebrate!

Read the information carefully about how to pack wisely for rain or shine, hot or cold. Check out the web site and Skogfjorden Village Page for more thorough information and tips before you come, and arrive at our grense ready to jump right in. Know that there will be lots of people around you to make it an unforgettable part of your summer. They want you to have a terrific time. With an open mind, a commitment to taking on Skogfjorden knightworthiness and a healthy sense of fun, you’ll be set for greatness.

Velkommen skal du være!
Vennlig hilsen

Tove (and a world of Skogfjorden friends)
Dean of Skogfjorden

P.S. If you play an instrument, be sure to bring it. Violins, guitars, spoons, you name it. The Village is richer when treated with a musical touch.