Spanish Language Immersion for Families

Session 1: August 11-17, 2025

Session 2: August 18-24, 2025

Learn to Speak Spanish Through Art, Play, and an Indigenous Language Model

So many of us who are the children of immigrants from Mexico on down lose our Spanish being raised in the English dominance of North America. Part of the work of decolonization and returning to our Indigenous roots is learning the Spanish language, even though it is also the language of colonization. Why? Because if we are ever to learn our Indigenous languages, we will be hard pressed to find a heritage speaker who speaks English. We cannot use the master’s tools to dismantle the master’s house. The way forward is through love and part of the work of loving all the different layers of ourselves, is finding love for Spanish. All are welcome, but this camp is especially geared towards mixed Latinx families who are searching for meaning, belonging, and connection to their homelands. We think about families in an expansive and Queer way that is welcoming to all.

Come and learn Spanish through play, art, and a master-apprentice Indigenous language acquisition model as a family in rural Colombia. Each morning we will learn by doing with workshops from local weavers, painters, jewelry makers, potters, and other artists and craftspeople. You will go home with a personalized dictionary of words that you will make from the workshops as the week progresses. Mid-week we will get to know the local towns, sights, and craftspeople in the area for sightseeing day.

Each afternoon we will walk around the Nature Preserve and play games in Spanish. Research shows that to learn a new language, we need to repeat a word up to 400 times in a classroom setting, but if we learn through play it is only 10 repetitions to remember. Since children lead the way in this area, they attend for free (ages 3 to 12, up to 3 children per family at no cost, 1 adult charge per over 3 children). Cost is per adult.

Each evening, families will have a chance to choose their own adventure after dinner time. We will have Spanish language board games available, star gazing, a camp fire, or private family time in your rooms which will have full internet access. One night each session you will also have the opportunity to do a night hike down to the waterfall with a guide from the Nature Preserve in Spanish. We will wrap up each week with a family talent show where you get to show off your Spanish skills with a song, a skit, or a dance of your choice.

Meet the Team

This camp is being offered by Santuario Romero, a Decolonization Retreat Center, Indigenous Land Back Project and Traditional Medicine School. In local partnership with the Tucanes Nature Preserve in Boyacá, Colombia and many local artists, artisans and craftspeople.

  • Writer, Teacher, and Founder


    Rosa Blumenfeld-Romero is an Indigenous Colombian woman from the Muisca people who was raised in Canada and lived in Boston for almost 20 years. She has over 20 years of teaching experience with kids and adults of all ages, is a worker-owner and Spanish language interpreter with Access Language Justice Cooperative, and the Founder of Reclaiming Indigeneity and Santuario Romero. 

  • Meralda Pena Suarez is a 4th generation weaver, textile designer, and chef for the Tucanes Nature Preserve. She is also the main onsite adminstrator and married to Pablo Forero.

    Pablo Fobrero is an amateur paleontologist, herbal medicine knowledge keeper, and administrator of the Tucanes Nature Preserve. A carpenter by trade, he built all of the cabins with his brother Fernando, and the neighbors.

    Fernando Forero is a co-founder of the Tucanes Natures Preserve with his brother Pablo, a biologist, and the Director of the Nature Preserve. Living in Villa de Leyva with his wife Liliana and their daughter Maria Jose, he is also the owner of the Forero Ferreteria in Villa de Leyva.

Our Services

What Is Included In Each Session?

  • 5 days of Spanish language immersion summer camp

    • Monday through Friday

    • Morning, afternoon and evening sessions

    • Wednesday: 1 day of local sightseeing day including artist workshop visits and local landmarks

    • Friday: Evening family talent show and graduation celebration

  • 1 open day (Saturday)

  • 1 travel day (Sunday before and after)

  • Daily workshops with local artists in Spanish

  • Daily walks down to the waterfall at the Nature Preserve in Spanish

  • 1 night hike with a guide down to the waterfall at the Nature Preserve in Spanish

  • 7 nights of lodging either at Santuario Romero or the Tucanes Nature Preserve

    • You will be assigned one of your top 2 choices, depending on the size of your family and other families as needed

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Tucanes Nature Preserve when on site

    • Traditional Colombian cuisine

    • Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice

  • Transportation to and from the Bogota Airport on the Sunday before and after

    • ONLY during a pre-arranged window of time

    • Otherwise private transportation can be arranged for an extra cost

  • WiFi at the Nature Preserve and Santuario Romero

    • Many carriers such as Verizon and ATT also have plans that include data roaming in Colombia

What Is NOT Included In Each Session?

  • Flights to Colombia

  • Transportation and cost of whatever activities you choose to do during the open day (Saturday)

  • Meals while outside the Nature Preserve (Sightseeing day and travel days)

  • Cost of lodging, transportation, and meals if you choose to come early or stay after the sessions are over

  • Private excursions into town outside of camp activities/hours

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I bring my pets?

    • No.

  • Can I drink alcohol, use psychedelic drugs, or smoke weed or cigarettes?

    • Santuario Romero is a 100% alcohol, smoke, and drug free property. The Nature Preserve sells beer and wine that is available to be consumed on their property only.

  • Which lodging will I get?

    • You will be able to choose between 2 different lodging options and we will assign your lodging based on the sizes of all the families coming and the needs of your family. Please choose 2 options in the same pricing tier. We can only accommodate up to 11 families, so we appreciate your flexibility with the process.

  • What level of Spanish do I need to have before coming?

    • According to our teaching model, you don’t need to come with any Spanish. We do ask you to be willing to fully participate in the immersion model, and work through moments of stress or discomfort when you are trying to figure out how to communicate.

  • Do I need to speak English to come to this immersion camp?

    • Yes. This is a bilingual immersion where we are learning from English to Spanish.

  • Is the nature preserve accessible via wheelchair or other mobility assisting devices

    • Yes and no. There is one step to enter the main cabin of the Nature Preserve, where the kitchen and some of the private suites are. But the building is not built according to ADA standards. There are no fittings in the bathrooms for example, and a wheelchair will fit through the doors but narrowly. To go down to the waterfall would not be possible. At Santuario Romero the glamping sites would not be accessible.

    • All sheets are washed with scented detergent.

Private Cabins At Tucanes Nature Preserve

  • There are 2 private cabins available for large families.

  • $4000 per adult per session.

Private Glamping Sites At Santuario Romero

  • There are 2 private glamping sites available with private balconies and bathrooms with hot water

  • $4000 per adult per session.

Private Suites & bathrooms at the Tucanes Nature Preserve

  • There are 2 private suites with bathrooms available on the first and second floors of the main house at the Tucanes Nature Preserven

  • $3500 per adult per session.

Tents with shared bathrooms and shower at Tucanes Nature Preserve

  • There are 2 family sized tents available at the Tucanes Nature Preserve with shared bathroom and showers

  • $2500 per adult per session.

Private Rooms, Shared bathrooms at Tucanes Nature Preserve

  • There are 2 private rooms available with shared bathrooms at the Tucanes Nature Preserve

  • $3000 per adult per session.