Join us for an educational weekend getaway at the annual Danish American Cultural Retreat (DACR) (previously known as DCC – the Danish Cultural Conference)! Learn, relax, and socialize in lush green surroundings with spectacular views.

2019 marked the 41st year of DACR – a true Pacific Northwest tradition! The event is held 3 days each summer at a beautiful facility overlooking the Columbia River Gorge.

DACR offers:

  • A rich program to illustrate the significance of Denmark on the global stage
  • An annual opportunity to learn about Denmark and its links to the U.S., today and in the past
  • Time to relax and enjoy delicious meals, good company, and breathtaking nature and views

Save the date: June 19th to 21st, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, DACR 2020 has been cancelled. A virtual DACR will be available at the end of June. Stay tuned! Sign up for our e-bulletin for updates.

Watch our DACR video: The Danish American Cultural Retreat

What DACR attendees are saying:

“The cultural retreat is one of the best events I have attended!” –Rasmus Thøgersen, CEO, Museum of Danish America, 2018

“It was so enjoyable in many ways, the program was interesting and diverse, the speakers were engaging, but even more so, the atmosphere was fun and friendly…“ -Georg and Nina Pedersen, 2018

“I enjoyed myself enormously and really appreciate the chance to attend.” -Ingrid Salmon, 2018

DACR Program Features:

The rich DACR program has included presentations by CEOs, presidents, or other representatives from key players in the Danish American community, such as:
  • Museum of Danish America
  • Nordic Museum
  • Scan Design Foundation
  • Embassy of Denmark, USA
  • Novo Nordisk
 
Diverse topics covered by experts in each field, such as:
  • WWII and the Danish Resistance Movement -Author Nathaniel Hong
  • Hans Christian Andersen -Dr. Marianne Stecher, UW Scandinavian Studies Professor and Head of UW Danish Program
  • The Golden Era of Danish Silent Films -Kristian Næsby, UW Scandinavian Studies Visiting Danish lecturer
  • Vikings in Denmark -Author William Sullivan
  • Falck: Danish Emergency Services -Peter Jorna, Falck USA
  • Danish Cheeses -Dr. Lisbeth Goddik, OSU Dairy Processing Extension Specialist and Associate Professor in Food Science
  • Nimbus Motorcycles –Nimbus Motorcycle Club, USA
  • Danish Defense Policies –Niels Ulrik Olsen, Royal Danish Embassy
  • The Greenland Ice Sheet and Climate Change -Dr. Christina Hulbe, Porland State University

Learn or Practice Danish. DACR offers optional classes for those who would like to learn some Danish at the retreat! Many Danish speakers attend DACR allowing ample opportunities to speak the language. 

Field Trip to Latourell Falls


Nature Walks
Experience waterfalls and lush green surroundings at DACR. We take a field trip to one of the waterfalls each year and to the nearby vista house with spectacular views of the Columbia river.

Evening Entertainment
Each year we have evening entertainment for guests to enjoy before ‘Kro Aften’. On Friday we celebrate Sankt Hans with snobrød and traditional Danish midsommer songs around the fire.

Kro Aften
To wind down from all the daily activities, guests are invited to join us in the ‘Kro’ each evening for beer, wine, and bar snacks.

Conference Schedule
Friday check-in: Begins at 11:00 am followed by lunch at noon.
Friday programs: 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday: 8:00 am to 1:30 pm

The Menucha Retreat and Conference Center

DACR is held at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon. Menucha Retreat offers a variety of amenities and lodging options. Lodging options include rooms that are private, semi-private, or dormitory style.

The beautiful grounds at Menucha have so much to offer, including:

  • Panoramic views
  • A swimming pool and courts for a variety of sports
  • Hiking trails, fire pits, and much more

Getting to DACR

The Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett is located right on the Washington-Oregon state border.

DSC_3644

Approximate travel times:

  • From Seattle: Less than 4 hours by car
  • From Portland: 30 minutes by car

For those who need a ride from Seattle or Portland, we can help arrange carpools. Guests can also fly in to Portland International Airport. We can help arrange rides from the airport, if needed.

Pricing

All meals are included in the conference fee. There are two meals on both Friday and Sunday. Saturday includes 3 meals. Authentic Danish pastries, snacks, coffee, and other refreshments are provided throughout the weekend. The conference fees also include beer and wine in the Kro!

Early Bird prices per person (through May 8th)

Conference Registration Non-Member Fee NWDA Member or Student Fee ($30 Discount)
Full Conference $330 $300
Friday Only or Sunday Only $210 $180
Saturday Only $265 $235

Lodging (includes 2 Nights)

Private Room (Sleeps 1-3 people) $380 PER ROOM
Semi-private (may include up to 6 people with a bath) $130 per person
Dorm  (may include up to 8 people with bath down the hall) $75 per person
Sunset lighting over the Columbia River Gorge from DACR

Watch for mailed postcards, website information, The Little Mermaid, and e-bulletin announcements with updates! To receive the most up to date information on DACR and other NWDA programs, events, and activities, sign up for our e-bulletin mailing list.