Family Fun at Norstead!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Viking? How did they live? What did they eat? How did they sail their vessels?

These are some of the questions that can be answered at Norstead, a replica Viking port of trade located at L’Anse aux Meadows, on the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland, on Canada’s east coast.

Norstead is located near L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the only authenticated Viking site in North America. It features about 30 costumed re-enactors. Some are boat builders, others are weavers and still others work with iron.

The Norstead site is located in a rugged yet scenic cove. The site has a large boat shed with its own replica Viking knarr, the Snorri, which was sailed from Greenland to L’Anse aux Meadows in 1998 by an American crew. There is a large chieftain’s hall which has sections for weaving and trading, and a central area used for cooking and socializing. In addition, Norstead has a small church, a workshop and an axe throwing barrier.

Norstead is owned and operated by the award-winning Viking Trail Tourism Association. Families visiting Norstead are always welcome and an afternoon can easily be passed there. The costumed re-enactors are friendly and knowledgeable and will attempt to answer any questions you may have about Viking life. You can see sailing demonstrations, take a boat tour on an actual replica Viking ship, watch an iron worker, help cook a meal, learn how Vikings wove a variety of materials and talk to the chieftain about making a trade or two!

Norstead also offers several educational programs aimed at both children and adults. One of the programs, Visiting Vikings, is a summer camp program designed for children from nine to 13 years of age. While at Norstead, children will dress in period-style costume, be given Viking names and be assigned to stations on the site. The intent of the program is to have the children immerse themselves in Viking culture in an interactive environment. All children will be taught specific skills that pertain to the 11^th century. At the end of each day, the children will gather in a common room to discuss the day’s activities and review learning objectives.

Norstead also offers educational opportunities for adults, through the learning vacations program. The aim is to recreate the lifestyle that existed 1,000 years ago in a Viking Age port of trade by giving the visitor an opportunity celebrate through an interactive environment the experiences of the Viking culture. From its interactive nature, the participant will be given the opportunity to dress as a Viking and given a Viking name, while learning specific trades and handicrafts.

For families travelling to Newfoundland, Norstead is a must-see destination that combines fun and learning.

Article Courtesy of the Viking Trail Tourism Association.

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