Since its founding in 1980, Scandia Camp Mendocino offered a yearly week-long immersive experience in the folk dance and music culture of Scandinavia, primarily of Norway and Sweden. The week included daily dance and music classes, culture sessions, singing and craft classes as well as music ensemble sessions (Group Playing - Allspel/Samspel) to practice commonly known tunes to play at every evening's dance party. The redwood forest of the Mendocino Woodlands always provided a magical setting for learning.

Scandia Camp Mendocino took place in the beautiful Mendocino Woodlands. Giant redwoods, a sunny meadow, a beaver pond, and numerous paths through the woods surround the village-like setting. The camp is approximately ten miles inland from the picturesque town of Mendocino, and about a four-hour drive north of San Francisco. The climate is mild. Pets are not permitted.

We invite you to take a few moments to read a short history of the Mendocino Woodlands. This very unique and well-loved camp is in a special redwood forest with historic buildings.

Rustic wooden cabins are clustered in three groups. Each cabin has a fireplace, small closet, cots with mattresses and a balcony. There is no plumbing, electricity or heat in the cabins. Each cluster of cabins has a central bathroom/shower building. The bathroom/shower buildings have lights, electrical outlets, showers, a washtub, and hot water.

Usually, one couple or two singles or a requested grouping of family/friends (maximum of four individuals) were housed in each cabin.

Our camp has a reputation for wonderful food! We counted on three nutritious meals a day plus between-meal snacks, with fresh vegetables and fruits, choice meat and fresh fish. Some meals featured Scandinavian menus, while others were developed by our chef and included other ethnic foods.

Vegetarians have been accommodated. One could include other dietary restrictions on the Camper Information Form. We have always done our best to accommodate special diets.

The Dance Hall at the Mendocino Woodlands has a beautiful wood floor and was used for a variety of activities, including dance classes, culture sessions, singing classes, and some music jams. Evening dance parties took place here as well.

The Lounge is what we called one of two wings of the Kitchen/Dining Hall building at Camp 1. This area was used in a variety of ways. Daily announcements, scrapbooks from past years and a resource book were found in the Lounge. Many of Scandia Camp's music classes and the Group Playing (Allspel/Samspel) practice took place in the Lounge during the course of the day.

Participants gathered here for a Happy 1/2 hour before dinner was served. The lounge has a fire-place. It is a cozy location for early morning coffee and tea, or late- night music jams, often attended by dancers still wanting to dance or sit by the fire and listen to the late-night music.

The other wing of the Kitchen/Dining Hall building is what we called the Dining Hall. It was set up with tables and benches and was used for meals throughout the week. For those who wanted to eat a meal outdoors, Pinsker Grove is just out the back door of the Dining Hall.

During the mornings, we had music classes here as well. The Dining Hall was festively decorated for the banquet.

Scandia Camp Mendocino held some gatherings outdoors in a variety of locations, such as the lovely Pinsker Grove.

Pinsker Grove is a pleasant outdoor meeting place for dining, snacking, visiting and enjoying rays of sun shining down through the redwood trees. Many campers chose to eat some of their meals outside in Pinsker Grove. The silent auction, camp market, some jam sessions and the welcome session also occurred in Pinsker Grove.

Mid-morning and evening snacks were frequently provided outside the Dance Hall. Some campers liked to gather in the Amphitheater. Periodically, some classes spontaneously decide to migrate to an outside location.