Cultural Skills Program

For those of you who are unfamiliar with our Cultural Skills Program, it's a fun, educational program designed to encourage active participation in traditional and contemporary Norwegian pursuits. With 14 areas of study to choose from, ranging from Rosemaling to chip carving to folk dancing, there's definitely something for everyone. In each of the 14 categories, there are three different levels that can be attained. Also, there are four different tracks participants can follow:

• Specialist: One who wishes to go in depth in one area, e.g. Hardanger embroidery or genealogy, etc.
• Generalist: One who samples several skills and qualify for the basic level in each, for example: stamp collecting, crafts, and Norwegian foods.
• Mentor: One who is skilled in activities offered in the Norwegian Cultural Skills Program can do a different challenge: mentor others who need formal or informal instruction. The mentor is an extremely important person in passing on the Norwegian heritage to others.
• Master of Cultural Skills: One who has completed at least three levels of three different skills, or nine individual basic activities. It's a great program that can be done alone, or easily adapted into a group activity.

Cultural Skills Medals Currently Available

1. Traditional Norwegian Cooking
   Level 1--Your Favorites
   Level 2--Baked Goods and Desserts
   Level 3--Meat or Fish Dishes
2. Reading Norwegian and Norwegian-American Authors
   Level 1--Your Favorites
   Level 2--Fiction
   Level 3--Nonfiction
3. Collecting Norwegian and North American Stamps
   Level 1--Collect General Norwegian & North American Stamps
   Level 2--Specialize Your Stamp Collection
   Level 3--Complete a Collection of a Ten-Year Period
4. Norwegian Rosemaling
   Level 1--Basic Strokes, Flower Form, and Scroll
   Level 2--Completed Design
   Level 3--Create an Original Design
5. Genealogy--Family History
   Level 1--Complete people 1­7 on a four-generation ancestor chart, etc.
   Level 2--Complete four more people on the ancestor, family group chart, and document
   Level 3--Complete all information for 15 people on the charts--document and write an essay
6. Hand Knitting
   Level 1--The Basics
   Level 2--Knit with Two Colors
   Level 3--Create a Two or Multicolored Sweater (Based on Norwegian Designs)
7. Norwegian Language and Culture
   Level 1--The Basics of Norwegian Language
   Level 2--A Sampling of Norwegian Culture
   Level 3--A Topic from Norwegian Language or Norwegian Culture
8. Hardanger Embroidery
   Level 1--The Basics
   Level 2--Complete a Larger Item
   Level 3--Using Your Skills in Creative Ways
9. Figure Carving
   Level 1--The Basics
   Level 2--Complete a Detailed Carving
   Level 3--Complete an Original Carving
10. Weaving
    Track I
    Level 1--The Basics-Make a Sampler
    Level 2--Inkle or Card Weaving or Rigid Heddle--Complete a Project
    Level 3--Create an Original Design
    Track II (Floor or Table Loom Weaving)
    Level 1--Produce a Sampler
    Level 2--Make a Finished Project
    Level 3--Create an Original Design
11. Ornamental Woodcarving
    Level 1--The Basics
    Level 2--Flatskurd
    Level 3--Carve the Acanthus
12. Chip Carving
    Level 1--The Basics
    Level 2--Carve Borders
    Level 3--Carve Rosettes
13. Folk Dancing
    Level 1--Easy Dances
    Level 2--Intermediate Dances
    Level 3--Advanced Dances
14. Music and Musicians of Norway
    Level 1--Folk Music: Roots of Norwegian Music
    Level 2--The Nineteenth Century: Edvard Grieg & Contemporaries
    Level 3--The Twentieth Century: Composers, Performers, Conductors