Come build memories that will last for a lifetime with your closest friends... And make many new ones!
Learn essential wilderness skills
Find your inner survivor with the help of our professional instructors. You will learn all the useful wilderness skills that have been passed down throughout generations in Finland.
Have you ever built a shelter outdoors? Or made a fire with your bare hands? You and your group will explore the best and safest techniques to ensure you will have a warm and cozy place to spend time - whether rain or shine... or even snow!
Bake delicious Carelian pies
A true local delicacy, Carelian pies ("Karjalanpiirakka" in Finnish) are savory, melt in your mouth treats made from thin rye dough and filled with creamy rice porridge.
Roll out the dough! Spoon in the rice! Pinch the edges! You and your friends will make these pies from the scratch with the help of an instructor. After baking them in the oven, slather on traditional egg butter and take a well-earned bite. How many do you think you can eat?
Create jewellery from Finnish soapstone
Imagine creating something that you can always have with you as a memory of your experience. Or would you like to make a gift for a special person in your life with your own hands?
Using natural local soapstone, which is the highest quality in the world, mould this easy to work with stone into your own unique piece of art. Our instructors will teach you how to use the tools and techniques to bring your vision to life!
Finnish culture - put on a play!
Learn about what makes the Finnish culture so rich, from its inspiring history to its modern achievements. What is your interpretation of Finland's national identity?
After the workshop lead by an instructor, choose your favourite creative methods to act out your thoughts and perspectives. Feel free to perform within your own comfort zone or gain courage to feel the wamth of your theatrical spotlight!
Dinner by the fire at "Kammi" turf cabin - Cultural program
“Kammi”, turf cabin used to be the accommodation in ancient times in Finland. Oldest found turf cabin dates 8500 years ago. Metsäkartano turf cabin is modernized version offering perfect opportunity to have a meal by the fire next to the lake and still protected. During the evening we will enjoy meal by the fire, learn stories from Finnish anthem “Kalevala” and have special ceremony based on traditional protectors of nature.
Students will have experience and information about the past housing in Finland. Students will be active part of evening program.
Turf cabin is situated approx. 700 meters from the main building area. Moving to turf cabin can happen by foot, by canoe or by sliding snow shoes depending on season and weather. Turf cabin is protected from rain. During the evening instructor will give students demonstration and program about Finnish culture and traditions. End of the program group will enjoy meal prepared by the fire. Metsäkartano provides needed equipment for all activities and meal during workshop.
School visit to Rautavaara elementary school
The main objective of Finnish education policy is to offer all citizens equal opportunities to receive education. The structure of the education system reflects these principles. The system is highly permeable, that is, there are no dead-ends preventing progression to higher levels of education. The focus in education is on learning rather than testing. There are no national tests for pupils in basic education in Finland. Instead, teachers are responsible for assessment in their respective subjects on the basis of the objectives included in the curriculum. Rautavaara school is small school having just over 100 students in elementary and high school combined.
Students will have personal experience of Finnish schooling system and contact with Finnish students and teachers. Students will present their own schooling system and culture to Finnish students.
Rautavaara school is located 24 kilometers from Metsäkartano. Group will go to school by bus organized by Metsäkartano. During the study visit students will be in interaction with Rautavaara school students and teachers and have possibility to follow school work.
Be prepared to introduce your own culture and school system
