Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "work with children/teenagers" projects in Finland

Kids Camp Janakkala

The host of this camp is the Youth Department of Janakkala. The volunteers will work in a summer camp for local children and youngsters. Volunteers will work alongside the local youth workers and international long term volunteers. Camp activities include arts and crafts, swimming and sauna, hiking, campfire and sports. The aim of this camp is to give international and multicultural experiences to the local children and youth and to break barriers between different cultures. This camp is an excellent opportunity to experience Finnish culture, nature and white nights in midsummer.

Volunteers will sleep in the camp center where the summer camp is taking place. During the summer camps, volunteers have meals with the children. At the weekend, the volunteers will cook together.

The municipality of Janakkala and the camp centre Mallinkainen is situated in Southern Finland, about 90 kilometers from Helsinki.

Hameenlinna

€30

Accepted volunteers will need to provide a certificate of good conduct (criminal record sheet) in English one month before the beginning of the camp and bring the original with them. The volunteers need travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

or BACKGROUND:

The camp host is a local village association which works for keeping the village and school alive. The volunteers will have a great chance to get to know Finnish countryside, local culture, traditions and people. The volunteers will assist in two villages in various manual tasks such as painting, renovating and tidying the environment. The volunteers will visit and work in many places for example in local farms in order to get to know where the food really comes from. The volunteers will also organise social activities with the locals for example an activity event for local children and young people. The camp will promote intercultural understanding, involve local people and generally encourage local villages to develop further their activities. There will also be other program such as excursions to local nature and cultural sights, swimming in the lakes etc. Volunteers can experience Finnish peaceful nature as its best, not to forget that it will be perfect timing to see the midnight sun.

Accommodation will be in a small local school. The volunteers will prepare some meals themselves, lunches are usually provided in work places.

The two locations belong to Kauhajoki (www.kauhajoki.fi). The area is beautiful with lakes and nature.

Kauhajoki. The nearest railway station is in Seinajoki, then you take a local bus.

€30

The volunteers should to be able to ride bicycle because it is the main means of transportation. The volunteers need take travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

Nature Poytya

This camp is organized together by Municipality of Poytya, local parish and local 4H-club. The volunteers will be renovating and tidying surroundings and hiking trails. Volunteers should be prepared to present their own country and its culture to local children and youth while visiting local youth houses. During leisure time there will be nature activities for volunteers, such as trip to Kurjenrahka National Park (www.outdoors.fi/kurjenrahka) and canoeing and other summer activities, such as sauna and swimming.

Volunteers will be accommodated in the local Youth Centre located in same building with Nature Centre, which runs exhibitions and environmental education.

Ylane is a small village surrounded by lakes and forests in Western Finland, about 190 km from Helsinki.

Turku

€30

The volunteers need travel insurance for the duration of their stay.