These families brought with them their customs, traditions, the Lutheran Church, and their language. Leonard Brauer learned Low German as his first language from his parents who still spoke it at home. It is estimated that more than 1,000 people in Cole Camp still understand Low German. Many speak it fluently. That language more than anything else has bound the German community in Cole Camp together.
Families share common histories and traditions, and they share the language.
But, still the Low German language is dying. Until recently there was little interest in keeping it alive. Young people especially were not interested in learning the language of their parents. Even High German is not taught in the Cole Camp school district. The gradual loss of the language alarmed many people.