Work Camps in Finland 2012

Suomen työleirit 2012

How to Apply?

If you are living outside of Finland

Find your local branch of SCI at www.sciint.org and contact them in order to find out about registration fees. Make the application in the camp search at www.workcamps.info.

If you are a foreign person living in Finland

The Finnish work camps are mainly meant for foreigners, but also foreign people living in Finland can apply.  If you are interested about applying, please find the Work Camp Exhange Form here and download it, fill it and send it us at Sähköpostiosoite on suojattu roskapostiohjelmia vastaan, Javascript-tuen tulee olla päällä nähdäksesi osoitteen .  You should also pay the camp exhange fee 95€ and the KVT membership fee 10/20 € on our account 800012-69517 and attach the receipts, otherwise we cannot process the request. People like asylum seekers and immigrants from developing countries can take part in the Finnish work camps for free. Find out more here.

Jos olet suomalainen

Suomalaiset voivat osallistua Suomen työleireille leirinvetäjinä. Lisätietoa leirinvetämisestä täältä.

Joskus, jos leirit eivät täyty ulkomaalaisista osanottajista, on suomalaisille mainostettu kärkkyjäpaikkoja, joista saa tietoa paria viikkoa ennen leirin alkamista. Jos olet kiinnostunut leirille kärkkymisestä, laita viestiä osoitteeseen Sähköpostiosoite on suojattu roskapostiohjelmia vastaan, Javascript-tuen tulee olla päällä nähdäksesi osoitteen .

The Camps

FI-KVT 1.1 World Village Festival

16/5 – 29/5
10 vols

World village is an annual festival which supports multiculturalism, international solidarity and development co-operation through music and exhibitions. The festival gathers annually about 70 000 visitors and hosts several different bands from all over the world. World Village Festival takes place in Central Helsinki.  The event is organized by KEPA (Service Centre for Development Cooperation in Finland). More info: www.maailmakylassa.net.

Work: Firstly, vols will work for three days in a reception centre for asylum seekers. Vols will organise activities for the asylum seekers and work at the centre together with the inhabitants. After that vols will help to set up the festival area including building and taking down tents, setting up stalls, decorating the festival area, etc. The volunteers will have free time during the festival and also get tickets for the festival club.

Accomodation: Volunteers will stay on a small island in an old wooden house which is maintained by a small ecological association. The accommodation is extremely simple, there's no running water or showers and it can be cold in May.  Volunteers can use a sauna building for washing. Warm sleeping bag is recommended!

Terminal: Helsinki

X: It is not possible to accept disabled or participants with children.

FI-KVT 9.1. Mustarinda Art Project

7/6-19/6
8 vols

Mustarinda Art House is a cultural center and artist residence in the remote area of Kainuu in North-Western Finland. Mustarinda is located close to the nature park of Paljakka, in midst of almost untouched old-growth forests. The aims of the association is to support local cultural heritage and diversity and protection of natural biodiversity. Mustarinda house offers a place for cultural events, art exhibitions and an artist residence space. The association focuses on independent and critical art, research, and education. More info: www.mustarinda.fi/en

Work: The volunteers will help setting up the art exhibition for summer 2012. The work is done together with the artists setting up art installations in the surroundings of Mustarinda. The volunteers will also help restoring the natural biotope around Mustarinda house by clearing out feral weeds and bushes.

Accomodation: The volunteers will stay in the guest rooms of Mustarinda house. There is access to a kitchen, living room  and shower, as well as a wood heated sauna. The area is remote and there are no shops etc. nearby.

Study part: The activities of Mustarinda association, contemporary art and nature, local rare plants and other species.

Terminal: Hyrynsalmi, nearest city Kajaani

X:Not suitable for wheelchairs.

FI-KVT 1.2 Siuntio Reception Centre

14/06 – 25/6
8   vols

The reception center of Siuntio was founded in Harjulinna in spring 2009. Its’ purpose is to offer a place for under aged asylum seekers who come to Finland without their families. There are approximately 30 - 40 children living in the reception center and a few families too. The volunteer’s will also help with organizing a Midsummer Eve’s Party for inhabitants on the last weekend of the camp. The reception center is in a very idyllic countryside place and located about 40 kilometers west from Helsinki. Even though the most common services are quite far, you can find for example a spa quite nearby in the middle of the Finnish nature!

W: Spending time with the children in the reception center, organizing activities like games or excursions in groups. Outdoor work and gardening. Helping with organizing the party by cleaning the house and working in the kitchen.

A: Basic floor accommodation.

S: About minor asylum seekers and local culture of Siuntio.

Terminal: Helsinki

X: Not accessible for families or people with wheelchairs. Previous experience about organizing activities to teenaged children could be helpful but is not obligatory.

*Tälle leirille etsitään toista leirinvetäjää!




FI-KVT 6.1 Toivo Biodynamic Farm

24/6-8/7
vols 10

Toivo is a biodynamic farm surrounded by forests and lakes 30km from Heinola in Southern Finland.There is a small community of new people working with the farm and the activities are developing. There has been a biodynamic farm in the location for several years. There are cows and chickens, biodynamic fields and vegetable house. Many kinds of vegetables, tomatoes and salads and herbs are grown on the farm. More info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Biodynamic-farm-Toivo-Rihu-Farm.

Work: The volunteers will work on the fields weeding and harvesting, with organic gardening, forest work, collecting firewood and taking care of the animals. The volunteers will also help with cooking. The work can be physically demanding.

Study part: Biodynamic farming and crafts using recycled and natural materials, like willow.

Accomodation: Indoors accomodation in rooms, showers and sauna.

Terminal: Heinola

X: Not suitable for wheelchairs. The food will be simple vegetarian food.

FI-KVT 9.2 Village Community Hall Viljakkala

24/6-7/7

8 vols

Viljakkala is small municipality near the city of Tampere. The association of the Viljakkala Village Hall takes care of the old building of the Viljakkala Village Hall that is used for the local community to gather and organize events in, like parties, flea markets, dances and hobby - courses etc. The aim of the organization is to offer a space for people to meet and encourage the liveliness of the local community. Viljakkala has many lakes and beautiful landscapes. More info: http://www.seurojentalo.net/index.html

Work: The main task of the volunteers is to help with building of the village hall, which is an old wooden house. They will first scrape off old paint and then paint. There will be some climbing involved in painting the walls, but the camp host will provide sturdy, professional scaffolding to help with it. The vols will also help with some maintenance work in the yard of the hall.

Accomodation: The volunteers will be staying at a close by sports lodge. Mattresses, showers and kitchen provided, as well as a sauna. There will be opportunity to use a lakeside wood-heated sauna a couple of times during the camp.

Study part: Traditional building methods, also asylum seeking today and in the 1940’s.

Terminal: Tampere

X: Not suitable for wheelchairs

FI-KVT 9.5 Village Association Aura

25/6-7/7
6 vols

Aura is a municipality near Turku in South-West Finland. Aura’s most visible marking is the river called Aurajoki which flows through the beautiful countryside area.
The camp is hosted by the village association of Aura. The association works as a link between the municipality and the inhabitants of the area by spreading information and organising different kinds of events to activate local people. They also have an old village hall for the people of the community.
Work: Idea is to continue working with the village hall .The two previous camps have worked with the roof and the floor, and this year the vols will work with making a new concrete floor and building a terrace as well as fixing some doors and windows.
Study part: The volunteers will visit an agricultural fair nearby.
Accomodation: Basic floor accomodation in the local school.
X:  Not recommended for families with children under age 10.

*Tälle leirille etsitään toista vetäjää!

FI-KVT 5.1 Children’s Music Festival Siikalatva

29/6-10/7
10 vols

Siikalatvan kulttuuri is cultural association in the municipality of Siikalatva in North-Western Finland. Each year they organize cultural happenings in Siikalatva,  and one of them is the annual children’s music festival and song contest of Piippolan vaari that gathers children to Siikalatva. Pictures from the festival: http://www.piippolanvaari.com/piippolan-vaarin-lasten-laulufestivaali-2010-valokuvia.html. There is also a song marathon and a town festival taking place at the same time with children’s music festival.

Work: The volunteers will help with the organizing of the children’s music festival, by building, decorating, setting up the tent and helping at the cafe and general organization as well as organizing activities like dance and crafts  for the children taking part in the festival, depending on the interests of the volunteers. The vols can also help with the village festival, song marathon or even renovating the historical village hall if they are interested.

Accomodation: The volunteers will stay at a local schools’ boarding house. There will be beds in 2 people rooms, and access to kitchen and showers.

Terminal: Oulu

X:Not suitable for wheelchairs

FI-KVT 6.2 Farming Community! Helsinki region

1/7-15/7
vols 10
Herttoniemi Food Co-op is the first community supported agriculture project in Finland. It is a co-op of about 100 members that grows organic vegetables on 1,3 hectare field close to Helsinki with the help of a professional gardener. It is also possible to order other kind of organic and locally grown produce via the co-op. One aim of the project is to spread knowledge about community supported agriculture In Finland and so far the project has gained lots of attention by the media. More info: ruokaosuuskunta.fi

Work: The volunteers will work on the field especially with weeding and  harvesting and other gardening work  and learn about organic gardening techniques from the gardener and also how to run a CSA-farm.

Accomodation: The volunteers will probably be staying at the nearby Walldorf-school in a basic floor accomodation. The farm is located in Vantaa, which next to Helsinki. Helsinki can be reached via public transportation in about 50 minutes.

Study part: Community supported agriculture and urban gardening as means of future’s food production.  A study trip to Helsinki’s urban gardening sites and community gardens will be organized.

Terminal: Helsinki

X: Not suitable for wheelchairs

FI-KVT 4.1 Äijälä Home, Jyväskylä region

2/7-14/7
vols 8

Äijälä Farm is situated near Jyväskylä in Central Finland. It has a charming old farmhouse which has been renovated to be a home for disabled people. The community wants to encourage the integration of disabled and so-called healthy people. Äijälä has been hosting KVT workcamps since 1980. The community works with organic gardening as well. More info: aijala.fi

W: Organic gardening, planting trees and plants, hay-making for the sheep, chopping firewood and cleaning up the forest. All work will be done together with disabled people.

A: Basic, sleeping bag advisable but not obligatory.

S: Life as a disabled in Finland, organic farming, ecological lifestyle, cane and clay building.

T: Jyväskylä

X: Disabled, 30+ vols are welcome.

FI-KVT 3.1 Food not Bombs, Helsinki

9/7-20/7
vols 12

Food Not Bombs (FNB) is an international grassroots anti-military movement whose aim is to promote disarmament and social justice. One of the main activities of Helsinki's FNB group is to cook and serve meals on the streets and market places in Helsinki. Food is donated by local shopkeepers. The volunteers will also eat donated food during the camp. The food will be vegan and/or vegetarian. Travelling will mostly be by bicycle and travel distances are 5-30 kilometres per day. More info: www.foodnotbombs.net, story from the same camp: http://jorisdepouillon.wordpress.com/2011/08/28/expedition-helsinki-ilmaista-ruokaa/

W: Volunteers will take part in six food serving happenings. Work will be cooking and serving the meals and cleaning up after. Possibly vols can also help promoting and get food donations and other common things .

A:  Very basic floor accomodation. Sleeping bag needed. Not suitable for wheelchairs or families with young children.

S: FNB campaign. The camp is part of the No More War-campaign of the SCI.

X: Extra motivation letter needed. Vols need to know how to ride a bike.

T: Helsinki

FI-KVT 6.2 Forest School Saarijärvi

23/7-5/8
vols 7

POKE is a learning centre that offers different kinds of education programs for young people and adults. One of the central aims of the centre is to promote sustainable development and multiculturalism. The school is situated in central Finland right by the national park of Saarijärvi with it’s beautiful forests and lakes. The school teaches also traditional cultural crafts and skills.

Work: The volunteers will work with taking care of animals, maintaining natural and traditional landscapes, forest work and gardening and will also have a chance to learn traditional crafts like plant dyeing and fishing. Trips to the national park will be organised.

Accomodation: In the boarding house of the school in rooms. There will be beds, access to kitchen and showers as well as a lakeside sauna. There is a beach and the volunteers can use a rowing boat.

Study part: Saarijärvi region has had human habitation already in the stone age. Local history and heritage sites, like the biggest stone age village in Finland.

Terminal: Jyväskylä

FI-KVT 6.4 Vekara Island, Uusikaupunki

30/7-12/8
8 vols

The island of Vekara is a located in the archipelago of Uusikaupunki. It is a location of the Metsähallitus. Metsähallitus is a state enterprise that administers more than 12 million hectares of state-owned land and water areas. Metsähallitus has the responsibility of managing and using these areas in a way that benefits Finnish society to the greatest extent possible. On the Vekara island there are 19th century historical wooden cottages and the natural habitat is well preserved and there are several rare species growing on the island. The island is isolated, but beautiful. The vols should be prepared to stay on the island during the camp. Pictures from the island in Olli Tenovuo’s blog: http://www.ollitenovuo.com/21

Work: The volunteers will work with renovating the old housing and taking care of the natural heritage biotope on the island.

Accomodation: The volunteers can stay in the houses of the island. There is no running water, but the smoke sauna can be heated every day for washing.

Study part: The history of Vekara and the life in the archipelago, old building methods and the rare species on the island.

FI-KVT 9.3 Haihatus Art House, Joutsa

1/8-22/8
Volunteers 10

Haihatus Art Center is located in Joutsa which is a  small community in Central Finland. It is a new cultural center, art space and artist residency. Haihatus is most well known for its annual summer exhibition of contemporary art. The aim of the organization is to promote art without borders, both in making the art as well as presenting it. Currently Haihatus is expanding to other art forms from just visual arts and has for that purpose bought two old houses to be renovated  into a local cultural space. The purpose is to provide a space for creation, encourage exchange between artists and different artistic disciplines as well as to active the art life in and around the Haihatus Art Center.  More info: www.haihatus.fi

Work: The volunteers will help with the renovation of the new house, with gardening work and maintenance work in the yards and gardens.

Accomodation: The volunteers will be staying in the Haihatus house.

Study part: Art and culture

Terminal: Jyväskylä or Heinola

FI-KVT 9.4 Summer Lodge Ylöjärvi

13/8-26/8
10 vols

The Kesäpirtti, “Summer Lodge” is a summer retreat for the students of Adult Education Center of the city of Tampere. The Summer Lodge run by volunteers from the Institute and offers a place for the students to have an affordable summer holiday place by the lakeside. The aims of the Summer Lodge are to promote non formal learning and education and create community with the students of the institute. The Summer Lodge is located by the Näsijärvi lake and has space for 20 - 30 summer holiday guests in several buildings. More info: www.kesapirtti.fi

Work: The volunteers will work with renovating the surrounding area and the buildings. There will be gardening work, painting, fixing up the beach and forest work.

Accomodation: The volunteers will be staying in the houses of the summer lodge. The housing is quite basic, and there is running water only in the main house. There is a sauna for washing and composting toilets.

Study part: Non formal education in Finland, possibility to organize a trip to close by city of Tampere.

Terminal: Tampere

X: Not suitable for wheelchairs. All ages welcome!

*Tälle leirille etsitään toista vetäjää!

FI-KVT 6.3 Keuruu Ecovillage

6/8-17/8
6 vols


Keuruun Ekokylä (Keuruu Ecovillage) is located in Central Finland about
75 km west from Jyväskylä. Purpose of the village is to pursue a
sustainable lifestyle, preserve original plant and animal species, grow
organic food and to cherish the diversity of nature. At the moment there
are about 30 inhabitants living in the village which is in the middle of
beautiful, pure countryside! More info: www.keuruunekokyla.fi.

W: Work is mostly construction and renovation. There is also chopping
firewood, garden work that includes harvesting, preserving, picking
berries, working in the kitchen and cleaning up...Free time activities:
sports, lakeside sauna, swimming, making music..

A: Indoors (2-4 persons per room). There is access to a  kitchen, living room, sauna, wc and shower.
S: Philosophy of the Ecovillage
X: Not suitable for wheelchairs. Preferred age of volunteers 30+. Food that the vols will be eating in the village is vegetarian. Drugs and alcohol are not allowed in the ecovillage.

*Tälle leirille etsitään toista vetäjää!