Welcome to join KVT camps! Read more about applying to camps in Finland.

Please note that due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation there can be some changes to the camps. We will contact you in case of any chances.

FI-KVT 10.1 Camp in a Camp: Nature preservation and environmental education 12.6. – 19.6.2023

Picture: Aliisa Lihavainen

Number of Volunteers: 6 (+ other campers)

Description: The Finnish Luonto-Liitto is a nationwide and over 80 years old non-governmental nature and environmental protection organization for children and the youth. Their activities include, for example, environmental activism, education, and outdoor activities for children and young people. Find Luonto-Liitto on Instagram: @luontoliitto and @finnishnatureleague

Type of Work: The volunteers will help prepare and implement an environmental camp of Luonto-Liitto – so this is a camp within a camp! Volunteers will arrive and leave 1-2 days before and after the Luonto-Liitto camp. Participants of Luonto-Liitto camp will be from different age groups and mainly from Finland, but also from Nordic and Baltic countries. The volunteers will support the staff in different activities, like preparing the facilities for the camp and running different exercises during the camp program. Work can also be physical like nature restoring. There will be free time activities for the Luonto-Liitto camp, and volunteers have a chance to participate in them as well.

Study Theme: Workshops and panel discussions about the climate crisis, restoration of nature, and social justice topics connected these crises and solutions. Art-based techniques are utilized in addition to panel discussions and workshops.

Accommodation: In a big tent in the forest so warm clothing will be needed. There will be a sauna and shower opportunity, and food will be prepared for and by volunteers.

Language: English

Location: Tuusula, around 30 kilometers from Helsinki

Notes: Since some of the work is done with children, a volunteer needs to present a criminal record according to Finnish child welfare regulations.

We trust that the impact of our travels is a shared concern and if you can, please prefer more eco-friendly options than taking a plane.

We recommend double-checking that your insurance covers your travel costs in case of unlikely but possible camp cancellation e.g. due to sudden changes in the Covid pandemic.

Additional fee: Some SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover e.g. international insurance costs of the volunteer and a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects. If you apply through a partner organization you will pay the fee directly to the hosting branch according to their instructions. Check here whether you’re applying through the SCI branch or partner: https://sci.ngo/about-us/our-movement/where-we-aret-us/our-movement/where-we-are/

FI-KVT 12.1 Local Traditions with International Skills at Folk Music Festival 26.6. – 7.7.2023

Number of Volunteers: 10

Description: Rääkkylä Kihaus is one of Finland’s most important annual international folk music events. Under the name Kihaus, the event has been organized annually in July since 1991. Previously, the event was known as Heinähupa, which started in 1970. See the festival webpage here: https://www.kihaus.fi/ (in Finnish)

Type of Work: The main task of the camp is first to practice a common repertoire to perform at the festival. There will be several performances during the festival. Ideally, volunteers will form also a bigger orchestra with the local musician members and rehearse a small repertoire for the festival with them. In addition, there will be light physical tasks related to the background arrangements of the festival. The camp is also aiming to collaborate with the local Finnish Red Cross unit to include Ukrainians fleeing the war.

Study Theme: Friendship, creativity, and cooperation across borders; Finnish and local traditions which include e.g. a visit to a famous “kantele” (Finnish zither) instrument-building workshop.

Accommodation:  Beds with bedding will be provided. A kitchen is available for the volunteers to cook in shifts apart from lunch, which is served near the festival area

Language: English

Location: Municipality of Rääkkylä in Eastern Finland

Notes: Applicants to the camp are expected to have basic skills in a folk musical instrument (can also be a vocal instrument) and 1-2 pieces of repertoire to present and practice with others at the festival. Please specify your skills in a free-form motivation letter.

We trust that the impact of our travels is a shared concern and if you can, please prefer more eco-friendly options than taking a plane.

We recommend double-checking that your insurance covers your travel costs in case of unlikely but possible camp cancellation e.g. due to sudden changes in the Covid pandemic.

Additional fee: Some SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover e.g. international insurance costs of the volunteer and a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects. If you apply through a partner organization you will pay the fee directly to the hosting branch according to their instructions. Check here whether you’re applying through the SCI branch or partner: https://sci.ngo/about-us/our-movement/where-we-aret-us/our-movement/where-we-are/

FI-KVT 4.1 Food Not Bombs 26.6. – 7.7.2023

Number of Volunteers: 10

Description: Food Not Bombs is an international campaign that works in hundreds of cities around the world. Food Not Bombs is trying to inspire the public to participate in changing and educating society by helping in a concrete way. The idea of the campaign is to focus our resources on solving problems like hunger, homelessness and poverty while seeking an end to war, continuous rearmament and the destruction of the environment. It works by giving out vegan meals in public places to anyone in need. The campaign is also closely connected to food waste issues, and much of the cooking is done with donated food.

Type of Work: During the camp, volunteers will organize six meal-sharing events around Helsinki. The volunteers’ tasks include cooking, bringing the food to the event location, giving it out during the event, and cleaning up afterwards. Volunteers are also welcome to participate in announcing the meal-sharing events and collecting food donations. No special skills are needed.

Study Theme: There will be discussions on the history and ideology of the Food Not Bombs campaign, nonviolence, and social problems in Finland.

Accommodation: Volunteers will live at the Peace Station in Helsinki where many peace organisations reside. The accommodation is simple. A sleeping bag is required as volunteers will sleep on mattresses in a shared space. There are bathrooms, a kitchen, a shower and a sauna. The accommodation facilities and the nature of the work might be challenging for a person with physical disabilities, but their participation is warmly welcome. Families can apply to the camp if the lack of privacy is not a problem. The food will be mainly the same vegan food that is offered in the events around town.

Language: English

Location: Helsinki, capital city of Finland

Notes: Free-formatted motivation letter is required. Volunteers should express why they are interested in the camp and what they could benefit from participating in it. Volunteers should be interested in antimilitarism, nonviolence and peaceful conflict resolution.

We trust that the impact of our travels is a shared concern and if you can, please prefer more eco-friendly options than taking a plane.

We recommend double-checking that your insurance covers your travel costs in case of unlikely but possible camp cancellation e.g. due to sudden changes in the Covid pandemic.

Additional fee: Some SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover e.g. international insurance costs of the volunteer and a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects. If you apply through a partner organization you will pay the fee directly to the hosting branch according to their instructions. Check here whether you’re applying through the SCI branch or partner: https://sci.ngo/about-us/our-movement/where-we-are

FI-KVT 9.1 Friendships across social borders 23.7. – 6.8.2023

Number of Volunteers: 8

Description: Äijälä Home is situated near Jyväskylä in Central Finland. The community’s aim is to support its clients in their everyday life and life management. The community works with organic gardening and it has a charming old farmhouse that has been renovated to host disabled people for daily visits and during the holidays. Äijälä Home also offers supportive work activities for long-term unemployed people and preserves traditional culture and working methods. Äijälä has been hosting KVT workcamps since 1980.

Type of Work: The volunteers are going to help and assist with two separate, a-week-long camps. In the first week, the camp will be for disabled people, and in the second week for children. Together with campers volunteers will learn about nature, traditions, and the English language through arts and crafts, play, and games. There will also be some gardening work. The aim is to provide unforgettable memories for disabled people and kids by working and spending time together across social borders. Work will be done together with the other workers of the community.

Study Theme: Diversity of people; ecological & communal living

Accommodation: In shared rooms in a 200-year-old wooden farmhouse, the main building of the farm. The camp is suitable for families if the kids can keep up with the work. Volunteers with disabilities are welcome too but should be aware that moving around the house or garden can require some assistance (there are e.g. doorsteps and sand & grass in the garden).

Language: English

Location: Jyskä, near the city of Jyväskylä in central Finland

Notes: Since some of the work is done with children, a volunteer needs to present a criminal record according to Finnish child welfare regulations.

We trust that the impact of our travels is a shared concern and if you can, please prefer more eco-friendly options than taking a plane.

We recommend double-checking that your insurance covers your travel costs in case of unlikely but possible camp cancellation e.g. due to sudden changes in the Covid pandemic.

Additional fee: Some SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover e.g. international insurance costs of the volunteer and a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects. If you apply through a partner organization you will pay the fee directly to the hosting branch according to their instructions. Check here whether you’re applying through the SCI branch or partner: https://sci.ngo/about-us/our-movement/where-we-

FI-KVT 12.3 History and Village Culture in Lapland 10.8. – 20.8.2023

Number of Volunteers: 10

Description: The camp takes place in the picturesque village of Kaukonen, with many original wooden buildings. The local village community, Puurokaukonen, is one of those small communities of Lapland that brings the locals together to work for making the village a comfortable place to live. A lively and welcoming atmosphere makes it a unique and feel-good experience for all people around the world to visit there.

While doing the practical work and helping the village community, you get the opportunity to experience local nature, culture, and social habits. The camp takes place during the harvest season in Lapland, so you’ll get a chance to enjoy locally sourced vegetables and go berry and mushroom picking and fishing by boats on the river Ounas guided by locals.

Type of Work: The volunteers will take part in cleaning, organizing, repairing, and painting the village house and yards around the village. One working day includes a visit to the local Särestöniemi museum where also the history of the village will be discussed. Volunteers should bring their own rubber boots and clothes for outside work, and biking helmets if they have such, as the commute between accommodation and work location is done by bikes. During their free time, the volunteers can meet locals at different events, visit the artist residence of the local Silence Festival and try some hiking in the Arctic hills.

Study Theme: Local History and Culture, focus being on Lapland, the North of Finland

Accommodation: Volunteers will stay at the village house, in two separate buildings that are located close to each other, at the beach river Ounas. Both houses include a bathroom, toilet, sauna, and washing machines. Volunteers will sleep in shared rooms, with separate spaces for men and women if needed. Volunteers will cook their own meals with the ingredients that they buy mostly by themselves with provided money and with the ingredients from nature like vegetables, berries, mushrooms, and fish.

Language: English

Location: Kaukonen, Lapland, North of Finland

Notes: We trust that the impact of our travels is a shared concern and if you can, please prefer more eco-friendly options than taking a plane.

We recommend double-checking that your insurance covers your travel costs in case of unlikely but possible camp cancellation e.g. due to sudden changes in the Covid pandemic.

Additional fee: Some SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover e.g. international insurance costs of the volunteer and a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects. If you apply through a partner organization you will pay the fee directly to the hosting branch according to their instructions. Check here whether you’re applying through the SCI branch or partner: https://sci.ngo/about-us/our-movement/where-we-are

FI-KVT 12.2 Communal, sustainable living & culture at Finnish countryside 11.8. – 21.8.2023

Number of Volunteers: 14

Description: The focus of the camp organizer, Saarela’s cultural association, is inclusion and social responsibility, as well as, for example, the revival of traditional handicrafts and art around them. The association organizes many cultural activities, from art exhibitions to music events and various workshops. The village association organizes this work camp in the Lehtoniemi Garden (www.lehtoniemipuutarha.eu), which is at the center of these events and offers people a place of community and things to do together during the summers, as well as beautiful surroundings to enjoy some peace and calmness.

Type of Work: There are various tasks during the camp. The volunteers will assist with organizing events like jazz-concert and summer cafes. Another mission is meeting local retired people and helping them in their daily routines. The third central theme is to participate in gardening work in the garden, also some small renovation works might be done in the area. The aim is, by meeting the locals, to provide knowledge and understanding of the traditional living style in the countryside: how it used to be and how is it nowadays for these people who decided to stay. Traditional handicrafts and art inspired by them play a big role in the village’s community and volunteers will get an opportunity to learn about them in different workshops.

Study Theme: North-Savonian culture, sustainable living, and relationship with nature, local traditions & handicrafts, social work: introduction to inclusion and retired person’s life in Finland

Accommodation: In shared rooms (1-3 persons) and in tents. Toilets and showers are in the main house, and also a possibility to wash your laundry. The camp is suitable for families if the kids can keep up with the work (14+ years). Meals are mainly based on local, organic ingredients, volunteers will also participate in collecting some of the ingredients from the forests and the garden (berries, veggies, etc.). Volunteers will participate in cooking and will learn some food preservation. Note: Please note that the host has two dogs, in case you are allergic.

Language: English

Location: Saarela village is located in North Savonia (nearly in the middle of Finland). To the nearest bigger village, and therefore the nearest shop, is 30 km. During leisure time, different outdoor activities are possible: enjoying the beautiful summer, swimming and sauna, forest trips, biking, etc.

Notes: We trust that the impact of our travels is a shared concern and if you can, please prefer more eco-friendly options than taking a plane.

We recommend double-checking that your insurance covers your travel costs in case of unlikely but possible camp cancellation e.g. due to sudden changes in the Covid pandemic.

Additional fee: Some SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover e.g. international insurance costs of the volunteer and a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects. If you apply through a partner organization you will pay the fee directly to the hosting branch according to their instructions. Check here whether you’re applying through the SCI branch or partner: https://sci.ngo/about-us/our-movement/where-we-are