The Danish American Cultural Retreat (DACR) is an annual cultural conference and retreat by Northwest Danish Association.
2018 marks the 40th year of DACR, a true Pacific Northwest tradition. The event is held 3 days each June at a beautiful facility in Oregon overlooking the Columbia River Gorge (picture left). 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
Click here to see the DACR 2018 Online Photo Album
The 40th Annual DACR
June 22nd to June 24th 2018
Location: Menucha Retreat and Conference Center, Corbett, Oregon
Click here to see the 2018 DACR Program.
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How to Register for DACR
The registration period for DACR 2018 is now closed.
2018 Program
See the program details here. To be the first to hear about event updates, sign up for our e-bulletin.
Danish sensation, Jessica Lynne
2018 speakers:
- Inga Wiehl, Book Talk- Tower Blues: Solving the Riddle of Confinement
- Eric Nelson, New Nordic Museum
- Marianne Stecher, Hans Christian Andersen – The Danish Soldier and the War of 1864
- Kristian Naesby, The Golden Era of Danish Silent Films
- Christian Holtz, Viking Navigation… How They Did It!
- Kyle Dittmer, Eldercare and Dementia – USA vs. Denmark
- For more details about each speaker and topic, see the DACR 2018 Program
Evening entertainment and more:
We are excited to announce this year’s evening entertainment: Danish sensation, Jessica Lynne! Optional Danish classes have also been added to the program.
Jessica Lynne: Sometimes authentic country music artists do not grow up in what we would consider hotbeds of country music. Sometimes they grow up in Haslev, Denmark, the native town of current Seattle resident, Jessica Lynne, a sensational and rising country star and one of London Tone Music’s most successful artists.
Danish classes by Aaase Beaulieu. Optional classes for those who would like to learn some Danish at the retreat this year!
2018 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
Thank you to our 2018 DACR sponsor: The University of Washington Center for West European Studies!
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
Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett is less than a four hour drive from Seattle and only a thirty minute drive from Portland. We help arrange carpools. Guests can also fly into Portland International Airport. We can help arrange rides from the airport, if needed.
2018 Pricing
Note: All meals are included in the conference fee.
Conference Fees
Early Bird Prices Per Person (Before May 10th 2018):
| Conference Registration | Non-Member Fee | NWDA Member or Student Fee |
| Full Conference: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (meals included) | $295 | $270 |
| Friday Only or Sunday Only (meals included) | $190 | $165 |
| Saturday Only (meals included) | $240 | $215 |
Regular Prices Per Person (After May 10th 2018):
| Conference Registration | Non-Member Fee | NWDA Member or Student Fee |
| Full Conference: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (meals included) | $320 | $295 |
| Friday Only or Sunday Only (meals included) | $215 | $190 |
| Saturday Only (meals included) | $265 | $240 |
Lodging (Prices reflect full conference, both nights included)
| Private Room (Sleeps 1-3 people) | $340 PER ROOM (two nights included) |
| Semi-private (may include up to 6 people with a bath) | $115 per person (two nights included) |
| Dorm (may include up to 8 people with bath down the hall) | $65 per person (two nights included) |
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.
Take a Look Back at Previous Years:
DACR 2017
Click here to see photos from the 2017 Danish American Cultural Retreat.
2017 program features:
- Women of Vinland (Dr. Elisabeth Ward, previous Director of the Scandinavian Cultural Center)
- Updates on the Museum of Danish America with focus on the current exhibition on iconic Danish artist, Bjørn Wiinblad (Rasmus Thøgersen, Executive Director of the Museum of Danish America)
- Danish folk high school tradition, Grundtvig, and the development of democracy (Kristian Næsby, Visiting Danish lecturer, University of Washington Scandinavian Studies Department)
- Icelandic manuscripts (Dr. Elisabeth Ward, previous Director of the Scandinavian Cultural Center)
- Heroes of the Danish Reformation (this year is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation) (Pastor Birgitte Saltorp, Danish Church of Vancouver)
- Medieval life in Denmark (Pastor Birgitte Saltorp, Danish Church of Vancouver)
- Danish aviation pioneer, Jacob Ellehammer (Henry Geijsbeek, Boeing)
- Discussion of the book, The Red Umbrella, on life during WWII through the eyes of a Danish Jewish little girl (Dave Christensen, Christensen Design Management)
Evening Entertainment: Flemming O. Behrend, Local Danish Folk Singer
For more information, see the DACR 2017 Brochure.
Information from Previous Years
2017
DACR 2017 Brochure
DACR 2017 Program Booklet
2016
For a detailed account of DACR 2016, read the article on page 5 in Volume 1 of Issue #2016/2017 of The Little Mermaid.
2016 DACR Photo Album
DACR 2016 Brochure
DACR 2016 Schedule
A Pacific Northwest tradition for over 30 years:
The NWDA’s Danish Cultural Conference has been held at Menucha Retreat & Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon for over 30 years. Enjoy a look back at highlights from previous DCC experiences, then find out about this years program and register for this fun event!
Take a look at our gallery for photos from previous years.
DACR 2016 Program Booklet
DACR 2015 Program Booklet
DCC 2014 Program Booklet
DCC 2013 Program Booklet
DCC 2012 Program Booklet
DCC 2011 Program Booklet
If you would like to make a contribution to this event, please click DONATE NOW:
Claus Windelev’s drawing and Facebook post about DACR 2015:
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This is a view from Menucha’s swimming pool of the Columbia River Gorge. Breathtaking and very beautiful. Drawn during the DACR 2015Posted by Claus Windelev on Monday, July 20, 2015
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- DACR has been held at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center for over 35 years!
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- The weekend began with the flag raising ceremony (Photo by: Claus Windelev)
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- DACR 2016 guests singing the Danish national anthem, “Der er et yndigt land”
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- Flag raising ceremony
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- Flag raising ceremony
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- Flag raising ceremony
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- Luksus kringle and twists from Larsen’s Bakery
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- Pastor Birgitte Saltorp from the Danish Lutheran Church Vancouver B.C.
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- DACR 2016: Astrid Kaalund from the Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn, Iowa
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- Tarteletter for lunch
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- Due to the weather, a fire pit replaced the Sankt Hans bonfire, but sno-broed was still made!
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- DACR 2016: Sofia with a well-cooked sno-broed
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- Eva by the fire with her sno-broed
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- DACR 2016: Peter Jorna from Falck speaking about the Danish company’s expansion to the U.S.
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- Peter Jorna brought his Falck ambulance to show our guests
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- Author Georg Pedersen at the start of his career on the sea
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- Georg Pedersen, author of the book “My 48 Years at Sea: From Deck Boy in Denmark to Captain in America”
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- Author Georg Pedersen
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- Georg Pedersen
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- Georg Pedersen
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- Author Georg Pedersen and Larry West (Photo By: Claus Windelev)
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- Field trip through the forest to Bridal Veil Falls
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- Erik and Sonja in the forest
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- Frank and Edith at Bridal Veil Falls
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- Bridal Veil Falls
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- Astrid at Bridal Veil Falls
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- Sofia and Eva
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- Local jazz pianist, Jim Templeton, playing everything from John Lennon to traditional Danish tunes
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- DACR 2016: Kro-aften complete with Carlsberg!
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- Evening hygge in the “Kro”
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- Allan and Audrey enjoying a glass of wine in the “Kro”
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- Beautiful secret garden on the Menucha grounds
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- The meditation labyrinth at the Menucha retreat
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- The pool at the Menucha retreat with a panoramic view
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- Danish goodies from Larsen’s Bakery
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- Dr. Scott Burns will tales and science from Iceland
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- Danish pastries from Larsen’s Bakery for DACR 2016
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- DACR 2016: Delicious traditional Danish dinner complete with rødkål
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- Henry Geijsbeek speaking about the Royal Danish Air Force at DACR 2016
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- Danish American Cultural Retreat at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center
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- Citron fromage for dessert
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- Larry and Frank lowering the flag to signal the end of another Danish American Cultural Retreat
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- DACR closing ceremony complete with the Danish national anthem and lowering of the flag
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- Beautiful views overlooking the Columbia River Gorge
Donate Now
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