Beginning January 21, 2002, four fluent Ho-Chunk speakers and five adult students came together at the Whirling Thunder Equestrian Ranch near Tomah, WI, the first participants in the "Immersion Camp" program. During the 12 days the nine people lived together in a household like atmosphere. Starting with breakfast, the teachers spoke and the students listened, hopefully developing a vocabulary that will allow them to engage in short conversations using the Native tongue. The Division has tried various teaching methods over the years, with varying degrees of success, but the 12-day ""Immersion Camp" is seen as being the Nation’s most concentrated effort to keep the spoken language alive.

Division members, Linguist Richard Mann and Education Planning Specialist Nela Stacy stated that the participants focused on developing on speech and listening skills. Both stated that while the idea had been in everyone’s mind for a few years, no one really knew how to get started and it took the cooperation of President Troy Swallow to make the idea a reality. Signed by the President, Executive Order 1/17/02A allows for tribal members employed by the Nation to participate as part of an interdepartmental agreement that encourages tribal members to learn the language. In the Executive Order, Swallow noted that "according to Joshua Fishman’s Eight-Stage Planning Theory to Strengthen Local Languages, the Ho-Chunk Language is approaching the eighth stage prior to extinction of the language". Fishman believes that ‘public schools cannot foster language maintenance independently and that it the responsibility of families and communities to start children off in their mother tongue’. To teach children we need adult speakers. Hence the new approach.

During the 12 days, teachers for the most part neglected the English language, and instead spoke Ho-Chunk during all meetings and casual conversations. Formal sessions were recorded for study and students were encouraged to review the sessions and communicate with each other. Discussions each day allowed everyone to voice an opinion on what is and what isn’t working. During the 12 days students were encouraged "practice, practice and practice some more". Prior to the "Immersion Experience", Mann explained that although the five students selected were at different speech and listening levels, it is the Division’s goal that after 12 days all will be able to engage in simple conversation, understand the topic being spoken and be able to respond to the speaker in the Ho-Chunk language.

Stating "that to speak Ho-Chunk you must think Ho-Chunk", Mann believes the immersion environment, together with the teacher’s intent to "keep it simple" will allow students to concentrate on learning. Admitting that with the language having less fluent speakers "we are losing our identity", he is optimistic that the program will better develop and encourage people to learn and speak the language. Though he understands that the outlying communities within the Nation often makes it difficult to be in constant contact with a fluent speaker, he feels that if we encourage people to speak it in their homes, it will later be spoken more at community meetings and functions. Mann added that although the written language is preserved, those reading the language often do not know how to pronounce many of the words, thus it is critical that the Nation develop new speakers.

He added that although the first class had only five students, 23 people applied. Based on the number of those who inquired about the class, Mann believes that interest is high and "that people are anxious to learn." He is hopeful that a 12-day "Immersion Class" can be conducted quarterly throughout the year. He thanked President Swallow and his office for the cooperation given in getting the class started. The Division also wishes to thank the Legislature, TAU, Housing and DNR Departments for their cooperation.

On January 21, 2002 a banquet honoring the students and teachers was held at the BlueWing Community Center near Tomah. Teachers Bernadine Tallmadge, Lila Blackdeer, Donald Blackhawk and George Stacy, Sr. along with students Ritchie Brown, Monte Green, Carole Laustrup, Ona Garvin and Samantha House were recognized as the first participants in the "Immersion" program. Blackhawk stated the students "were the new voices of the Ho-Chunk people", as for the first time the students were able to put words together and make a statement in the Ho-Chunk language. He invited everyone to listen to their voices. Area III Legislator Wade Blackdeer stated the Legislature has made learning the language a priority, adding "without our language we are not Ho-Chunk." He hopes participants in the first class will serve as an inspiration to others.

Following the welcome and prayer delivered by Chief Clayton Winneshiek, President Troy Swallow congratulated the participants "for giving us hope that we can do a better job of reclaiming our language." As he thanked the Legislature for their support, he stated "we feel the ‘Immersion Class’ is the answer to saving our language." He stated the Language Division is a great resource for the Nation and encouraged everyone to use the services available, stressing the Nation will do what it can to support members wanting to learn the language. Noting that he was proud of the first class being honored, the President concluded "we can do better and get better at this but it’s a good start."

Following the "Thank You Song" and "Honor Dance" each of the five students addressed the audience, proudly demonstrating their new skill. The Language Division plans on producing taped interviews with the participants further detailing the program and their experience.

Prior to presenting the participants with a plaque recognizing their achievement, Mann stated the class "was an encouraging start to revitalizing the Ho-Chunk language."